There are five key parasites that pose a threat to your dog's health.

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Getting The Dirt On Worms

 

There are five key parasites that pose a threat to your dog's health. They are

fleas, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms (A. caninum) and whipworms. The scary

thing about some of these parasites is that they can be transferred from pets to

humans. However, with proper parasite prevention methods, good hygiene and

common sense, you can keep your pets and your family safe and healthy.

 

 

 

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Parasites

 

There are five key parasites that pose a threat to your dog's health.

They are fleas, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. These

parasites can affect all dogs—not just those who live primarily

outdoors. Here's a breakdown of the parasites that can jeopardize the

health of your pet:

 

 

* Heartworms. Heartworms can be transmitted to pets by more than

seventy species of mosquitoes. And since mosquitoes can get indoors,

all dogs are vulnerable. The heartworm larvae develop within the

mosquito. When the mosquito bites the dog, it transfuses the larvae

into the dog's body tissue. From there, the larvae travel to the

bloodstream and continue to develop into adult worms. Adult heartworms

live in the right side of the heart and pulmonary arteries where they

restrict blood flow and cause organ damage. Blockage and injury caused

by heartworms may lead to heart failure and liver and kidney damage.

Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, weight

loss, resistance to exercise, enlarged liver, abnormal lung or heart

sounds, collapse or convulsions and sudden death.

* Fleas. Adult fleas jump onto your pet when they sense a host is

near. There, a female flea can lay up to fifty eggs each day. Eggs

fall off your pet and develop into worm-like larvae, which hide in

carpeting, furniture, bedding and other dark places. The larvae mature

as they feed on fecal matter dropped by adult fleas and the cycle

continues. Fleas cause itching, irritation, extreme discomfort, and

sometimes lead to anemia and flea allergy dermatitis. When ingested,

fleas can spread tapeworms. Symptoms of flea infections include

itching, scratching and unusual amounts of chewing and licking.

* Hookworms (A. caninum). Hookworm eggs pass through the feces of

an infected dog into the soil where they develop into larvae. The

larvae are easily swallowed or can penetrate through your pet's feet.

Hookworms attach to your pet's intestinal lining, creating bleeding

internal wounds. Symptoms of a hookworm infection include weight loss,

anemia and diarrhea.

* Roundworms. Almost all puppies get roundworms from their

mothers. Pets of all ages can contract roundworms from the soil or

from eating infected animals, like rodents. Roundworm infections are

usually accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stunted

growth, rough coat and a bloated belly.

* Whipworms. Whipworm eggs are passed in feces and can survive for

years in the soil. Whipworm infections in pets are caused by ingestion

of the eggs and usually cause bloody diarrhea, anemia, dehydration and

loss of appetite.

 

Because parasites can be found almost everywhere, the effective way to

reduce your pet's risk of infection to is to maintain continuous, year

round protection for your dog. SENTINEL® Flavor Tabs® is the only

oral, 5-in-1 product that protects dogs against hookworms (A.

caninum), roundworms, whipworms, heartworms and flea populations. And

because SENTINEL® Flavor Tabs® are oral flavor tabs, they are clean,

convenient and safe for households with children. Talk to your

veterinarian about the right parasite prevention program for your dog.

 

Dogs must be tested for heartworm prior to use. In a small percentage

of treated dogs, digestive, neurological and skin side effects may

occur. Please see full product insert for more information.