![]() ![]() Proglottids excreted via the feces from an infected dog are ingested by fleas before they jump onto and attach to another dog’s skin. Tapeworms require an intermediate host, in this case, fleas, to infect other dogs. However, unlike other intestinal parasites, dogs do not become infected when they ingest proglottids from the feces of an infected dog. These segments are often the infective stage of tapeworms. These segments often appear as white specks in the dog’s stool and will look similar to a grain of rice or sesame seed. Tapeworm segments, called proglottids, each have eggs inside and break off to be passed out in the dog’s feces. Instead of having one, singular body, adult tapeworms have segmented bodies. Unlike previously described intestinal worms, tapeworms are different in the sense that they don’t have similar physical characteristics. Tapeworms, also called cestodes, can also infect dogs, but most infections do not result in serious diseases. ![]() Mild infections of whipworm do not usually cause any clinical signs in dogs, but as the number of worms increases, affected individuals will start to have bloody and mucousy diarrhea that often has a pungent smell. They attach themselves to the mucosal lining of the large intestine, causing bleeding and diarrhea in dogs. They get their name from their physical appearance, having a narrow proximal end and a wide caudal end, giving the appearance of a bullwhip. Whipworm is another type of roundworm that is usually found in the latter segments of the intestinal tract, particularly the cecum and colon. Some species can penetrate a puppy’s skin, migrate towards the lungs, and are usually coughed out and swallowed back, causing an infection. Certain species of hookworms can migrate to the mammary glands of a nursing female dog and can be ingested by her young puppies. Like roundworms, hookworms can infect dogs through means other than fecal-oral transmission. Hookworms attach themselves to the mucosal lining of the dog’s intestinal tract and cause damage and inflammation to the intestines, resulting in diarrhea that is often bloody. Hookworms appear as round, long worms in a dog’s stool. ![]() They mostly affect young puppies but older dogs can also become infected. Hookworms, or ascarids, are another type of intestinal parasite commonly found in dogs. ![]() Often, adult dogs infected with roundworms will only show clinical signs such as vomiting and diarrhea if the worm infection is already severe. Another reason is most adult dogs are resistant to roundworm infections and can tolerate mild infections without any clinical signs. This alternative mode of transmission for roundworms is the reason why they’re the most reported worm infection in young puppies. Certain species of roundworms can be transmitted from a pregnant female dog to its fetuses via the placenta. Roundworms are special in the sense that they can be transmitted through processes other than fecal-oral transmission. This means a dog needs to ingest water or food contaminated with the infective stage of the parasite to become infected. Intestinal parasites are usually transmitted through the fecal-oral route. They attach themselves to the mucosal lining of the small and large intestine, causing diarrhea in young dogs. They appear as large, round-bodied worms with tapering ends. Roundworms are arguably the most common intestinal parasite reported in young puppies. But treatment for intestinal worms in dogs can vary depending on the type of worm, and unfortunately, several types of worms can infect your dog’s GI system, all with varying degrees of symptoms. The presence of worms in your dog’s stool is a serious problem, one that needs to be addressed immediately. ![]()
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