If you have a pet dog at home, you should always make sure that the pet is free from any form of parasitic infestations.
In fact, almost all animals can be victims of parasites.
The parasites that mainly affect dogs are the round worms and the heart worms.
The heart worms are more fatal in form than round worms as vet physicians find round worms to be more easily treatable than the heart worms.
Dog parasites are not only troublesome for dogs but also for humans as well.
Most of the parasites that live in dogs are zoonotic in nature.
Individuals, especially children staying close to the infested dogs may also get infected with the parasites.
The following are the types of parasites that may infest a dog.
Types of Dog Parasites Round Worms - Round worms are mainly found in puppies.
The cause behind the puppies being infected with round worms is due to transplacental transmission of a thin spaghetti shaped worm from the heavily worm infested mother during the time of birth.
The round worms can be easily seen in the stool of the dog that is heavily infested with the parasitic worm.
Fecal examination also reveals the presence of round eggs.
Whipworms - Whip worms are actually long whip shaped worms that reside in the colon of the dog.
The worm is detected through fecal examination after three months of infestation.
The various symptoms that are shown up by a heavily whip worm infested dog include anemia, loss of weight and excretion of fresh blood along with stool.
Hookworms - Hookworms are quite fatalistic for puppies.
Puppies that are heavily infested with hook worms often die even before fecal examination can reveal the presence of hook worm inside the pet.
The hook worms are tiny worms that are mainly in between the size of 12mm and 15 mm.
They hook inside the intestinal walls of the pet and mainly feed on the blood of the host.
The hook worms are quite infectious in nature and can get easily transferred to human beings.
So, pet dogs should be taken for a medical check to a vet clinic on a regular basis.
Tape worms - Tape worms are the most common types of worms in dogs.
Their presence in the host's body is diagnosed through fecal examination.
Due to heavy infestations the egg sacks of the worm which looks like rice grains are often found around the anus of the dog.
Round worms can be removed under proper medication.
The dog has to be administered with de-worming treatment on a regular basis in order to keep it completely free from the attack of the parasitic worms.