Parasites can be prevented and treated and a simple $35 stool sample at the Vet yearly is important for the safety of your two-legged and four-legged familyParasites are common and can cause disease in dogs.

    Intestinal parasites can also cause significant health problems. Intestinal parasites like roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and protozoa, such as giardia live in the Gastrointestinal tract. Parasites are usually transmitted when an animal inadvertently ingests parasite eggs or spores in contaminated soil, water, feces or food. In the case of tapeworms, they can also be transmitted when a dog eats an infected flea. Puppies, on the other hand, usually get intestinal parasites from their mother.

Some of the dangers of intestinal parasites include malnutrition, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia. Besides making our pets sick, many of these parasites can affect people. According to kidshealth.org, “20% of dogs pass Toxocara eggs in their stool.” Toxocara can cause damage to the eyes and untreated can lead to vision loss, especially in children.