Common Dog Parasites: Prevention and Treatment Guide

Protecting Your Dog from Parasites

Parasites can cause serious health issues for your dog. Here’s your complete prevention guide:

External Parasites:

• Fleas:
  • Symptoms: Intense scratching, flea dirt, hair loss
  • Prevention: Monthly flea prevention products
  • Treatment: Flea baths, environmental treatment, prescription medication
• Ticks:
  • Symptoms: Visible ticks, skin irritation, Lyme disease risk
  • Prevention: Tick collars, topical treatments, tick checks
  • Treatment: Safe tick removal, tick-borne disease testing
• Mites:
  • Symptoms: Intense itching, hair loss, skin irritation
  • Prevention: Regular grooming, clean environment
  • Treatment: Prescription medication, medicated baths

Internal Parasites:

• Roundworms:
  • Symptoms: Pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Prevention: Regular deworming, clean environment
  • Treatment: Prescription deworming medication
• Hookworms:
  • Symptoms: Anemia, bloody diarrhea, weight loss
  • Prevention: Regular deworming, avoid contaminated soil
  • Treatment: Prescription medication
• Heartworms:
  • Symptoms: Coughing, difficulty breathing, fatigue
  • Prevention: Monthly heartworm prevention (year-round)
  • Treatment: Complex, expensive treatment required

Prevention Schedule:

Puppies: Deworming at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks
Adults: Monthly parasite prevention products
Year-round: Heartworm prevention in all climates

Environmental Control:

• Regular yard cleaning and maintenance
• Wash bedding weekly in hot water
• Vacuum frequently, especially carpets
• Keep grass trimmed short
• Remove standing water sources