I will lay out the most common Parasites in Puppies/Dogs
Giardia; Dog becomes infected with Giardia when it swallows the cyst stage of the parasite. In susceptible dogs, once the cyst passes into the dog's intestines, it transforms into the trophozoite and attaches to the intestinal wall to feed. If sufficient numbers are present, clinical signs of damage to the intestinal wall will develop.
Trophozoites reproduce by dividing, and some transform into the cystic form. Eventually, the dog passes infectious cysts in its stool. The time it takes from ingestion of cysts to passage in feces is 5 to 12 days in dogs and 5 to 16 days in cats.
"Giardiasis can be transmitted by eating orsniffing the cysts from contaminated ground,or by drinking contaminated water. Treatment for Giardia; Fenbendazole Dewormer and Metronidazole Antibiotic given 2 times daily for 6 days. The cost of this will be around $5.00 for me to treat a 20lb. Puppy, but your Veterinarian might charge you up to $500.00 for this, yes this is true. The Medication is very economical for myself or the Veterinarian, but the upsale can be outrageous. Once your Puppy reaches the age of 10 to 12 months it will not be an issue if it Has/Carries Giardia, the Dog by this time is not effected by it. Around 70% of Dogs are carriers of Giardi.
Trophozoites reproduce by dividing, and some transform into the cystic form. Eventually, the dog passes infectious cysts in its stool. The time it takes from ingestion of cysts to passage in feces is 5 to 12 days in dogs and 5 to 16 days in cats.
"Giardiasis can be transmitted by eating orsniffing the cysts from contaminated ground,or by drinking contaminated water. Treatment for Giardia; Fenbendazole Dewormer and Metronidazole Antibiotic given 2 times daily for 6 days. The cost of this will be around $5.00 for me to treat a 20lb. Puppy, but your Veterinarian might charge you up to $500.00 for this, yes this is true. The Medication is very economical for myself or the Veterinarian, but the upsale can be outrageous. Once your Puppy reaches the age of 10 to 12 months it will not be an issue if it Has/Carries Giardia, the Dog by this time is not effected by it. Around 70% of Dogs are carriers of Giardi.
Coccidiosis;
What is coccidiosis?Coccidiosis is an intestinal tract infection caused by a single-celled organism (protozoa) called coccidia. Coccidiosis typically refers to gastrointestinal infections with the Isospora species (sometimes called Cystoisospora) of coccidia, though other species can be found.
These microscopic parasites spend part of their life cycle in the lining cells of the intestine. Despite damaging these cells, most infections in dogs are not associated with any detectable clinical signs. Infections without clinical signs are called sub-clinical infections. Puppies are commonly infected.
How did my dog become infected with coccidia?Your dog most likely became infected with coccidia from swallowing oocysts (immature coccidia) that are found in dog feces and soil contaminated with feces. Infected dogs pass oocysts in the feces, which are very resistant to a wide variety of environmental conditions and can survive for some time on the ground. Under the right conditions of temperature and humidity, these oocysts become infective. If a susceptible dog ingests these, the next stage will invade the intestinal lining cells and set up a cycle of infection in neighboring cells. Dogs may also become infected indirectly by eating a mouse that is infected with coccidia.
What are the clinical signs of coccidiosis?The most common clinical sign of coccidiosis is diarrhea, but most dogs infected with coccidia do not have any clinical signs. When the coccidial oocysts are found in the stool of a dog without diarrhea, they are generally considered a transient, insignificant finding.
However, in puppies and debilitated adult dogs, coccidiosis may cause severe watery diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal distress, and vomiting. In severe cases, death may occur.
How is coccidiosis diagnosed?Coccidiosis is usually diagnosed by performing a fecal flotation test to look for oocysts under a microscope. Infection with some of the less common coccidial parasites may be diagnosed with a blood test.
How is coccidiosis treated?Your veterinarian may prescribe a sulfa-type antibiotic called sulfadimethoxine (Albon®), which may require prolonged treatment. In severe infections, it may be necessary to repeat the treatment. If the diarrhea is severe and your dog is dehydrated, other medications and treatments, such as IV fluids, may be required. If the sulfa-type antibiotic is not effective at clearing the infection, other treatments are available (including sulfa antibiotics combined with another drug, amprolium {Albac/Amprol Hi-E [+ Bacitracin, + Ethopabate]}, or off-label use of ponazuril {Marquis®} or toltrazuril {Baycox®}); your veterinarian will discuss these treatments with you. Some dogs may not require much in terms of medical treatment, depending on the severity of the condition.
Reinfection of susceptible dogs is common, so environmental disinfection is important. The oocysts are very resistant to environmental conditions and disinfectants. The use of diluted chlorine bleach, one cup (250 ml) of bleach mixed in one gallon (3.8 L) of water, is effective if the surfaces and premises can be safely treated with it. Be sure to test clean a small area of any affected materials since bleach can damage many surfaces. Steam cleaning may also be used to destroy oocysts. Remove any feces as quickly as possible from the environment to prevent reinfection.
"Remove any feces as quickly as possible from the environment to prevent reinfection."Can the coccidial parasites infect me or my family?The most common species of coccidia in dogs do not have any effect on humans. However, less common species of coccidia can potentially infect humans. One species, called Cryptosporidium, may be transmitted to people. This parasite, which may be carried by dogs and cats, has also been found in the public water supply of some major cities. It poses a health risk for those who are immunocompromised. Good hygiene and proper disposal of dog feces are important in minimizing the risk of transmission of all canine parasites to humans or other animals.
These microscopic parasites spend part of their life cycle in the lining cells of the intestine. Despite damaging these cells, most infections in dogs are not associated with any detectable clinical signs. Infections without clinical signs are called sub-clinical infections. Puppies are commonly infected.
How did my dog become infected with coccidia?Your dog most likely became infected with coccidia from swallowing oocysts (immature coccidia) that are found in dog feces and soil contaminated with feces. Infected dogs pass oocysts in the feces, which are very resistant to a wide variety of environmental conditions and can survive for some time on the ground. Under the right conditions of temperature and humidity, these oocysts become infective. If a susceptible dog ingests these, the next stage will invade the intestinal lining cells and set up a cycle of infection in neighboring cells. Dogs may also become infected indirectly by eating a mouse that is infected with coccidia.
What are the clinical signs of coccidiosis?The most common clinical sign of coccidiosis is diarrhea, but most dogs infected with coccidia do not have any clinical signs. When the coccidial oocysts are found in the stool of a dog without diarrhea, they are generally considered a transient, insignificant finding.
However, in puppies and debilitated adult dogs, coccidiosis may cause severe watery diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal distress, and vomiting. In severe cases, death may occur.
How is coccidiosis diagnosed?Coccidiosis is usually diagnosed by performing a fecal flotation test to look for oocysts under a microscope. Infection with some of the less common coccidial parasites may be diagnosed with a blood test.
How is coccidiosis treated?Your veterinarian may prescribe a sulfa-type antibiotic called sulfadimethoxine (Albon®), which may require prolonged treatment. In severe infections, it may be necessary to repeat the treatment. If the diarrhea is severe and your dog is dehydrated, other medications and treatments, such as IV fluids, may be required. If the sulfa-type antibiotic is not effective at clearing the infection, other treatments are available (including sulfa antibiotics combined with another drug, amprolium {Albac/Amprol Hi-E [+ Bacitracin, + Ethopabate]}, or off-label use of ponazuril {Marquis®} or toltrazuril {Baycox®}); your veterinarian will discuss these treatments with you. Some dogs may not require much in terms of medical treatment, depending on the severity of the condition.
Reinfection of susceptible dogs is common, so environmental disinfection is important. The oocysts are very resistant to environmental conditions and disinfectants. The use of diluted chlorine bleach, one cup (250 ml) of bleach mixed in one gallon (3.8 L) of water, is effective if the surfaces and premises can be safely treated with it. Be sure to test clean a small area of any affected materials since bleach can damage many surfaces. Steam cleaning may also be used to destroy oocysts. Remove any feces as quickly as possible from the environment to prevent reinfection.
"Remove any feces as quickly as possible from the environment to prevent reinfection."Can the coccidial parasites infect me or my family?The most common species of coccidia in dogs do not have any effect on humans. However, less common species of coccidia can potentially infect humans. One species, called Cryptosporidium, may be transmitted to people. This parasite, which may be carried by dogs and cats, has also been found in the public water supply of some major cities. It poses a health risk for those who are immunocompromised. Good hygiene and proper disposal of dog feces are important in minimizing the risk of transmission of all canine parasites to humans or other animals.
Worms;
Puppies and Adult Dogs can be infected with worms in almost any environment. Simply sniffing the ground or another Dog can infect your Pet with worms. Deworming your Pet is a process you will have to due throughout it's life. Safe-Guard or Panacur is a great DeWormer for Puppies/Dogs.
Our Deworming Schedule;
@ 3 weeks old Strongid T
@ 4 weeks old Strongid T
@ 5 weeks old Safe-Guard for 3 days
@7 weeks old Safe-Guard for 3 days
All our Puppies get a fecal exam at my Veterinarian when I leave out on my delivery trip to bring the Puppy to you, it's always negative fecal results for worms or parasites. The negative fecal results will be in writing on the USDA Health Certificate from our Veterinarian. All Puppies must have a USDA Health Certificate to cross State lines.