Parasite paradise

All of us are looking forward to spending more time outside in the sunshine with our animal companions. Fluffy and Spot aren't the only creatures who thrive in warmer temperatures, as this time of year is Paradise for Parasites!

A parasite is described as something "that lives upon or within another living organism at whose expense it obtains some advantage." Internal and external parasites can cause great discomfort to their hosts and they can also transmit diseases to animals and humans. Let's briefly discuss some common parasites we see in Western Montana.

Roundworms are one of the most common parasites in small animals. Most puppies and kittens are infected even before birth although many will not show any signs of infection (slow growth, poor hair coat, a pot-bellied appearance.) If children ingest roundworm eggs, it can lead to organ or eye problems.

Tapeworms are also common in small animals. While serious disease is rare, infection can lead to an unthrifty appearance and mild diarrhea. The sheer horror of seeing rice-like segments or entire worms is something we would all like to avoid. Our pets typically get tapeworms from fleas or from eating infected rodents.

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes that have infective larvae on their mouthparts that get injected into another animal during a subsequent feeding. (Gross!) The larvae migrate to the host's heart where it matures and produces offspring. This can lead to coughing, trouble breathing, exercise intolerance, chronic weight loss and eventually heart and lung damage.

External parasites can be just as much a nuisance as internal ones. The entire lifecycle of a flea (feed, mate, lay eggs) can take only three weeks in favorable environments! Fleas generally cause a lot of itching and discomfort and heavy infestations can even result in anemia. The worst result is when animals develop a hypersensitivity to flea saliva which can lead to self-mutilation due to intense itching.

Ticks are found throughout Montana and our surrounding states. Anemia can result if there are several ticks and Tick Paralysis is a very real concern from a reaction to a feeding tick. Ticks also transmit a variety of infective agents that can lead to serious disease in both humans and animals. Ear canals and shoulders are typical areas where ticks like to feed.

Earmites are a type of mite that lives specifically inside an animal's ear canal where they pierce the skin to feed and lay their eggs. Cats are the most common host but they can spread to dogs, ferrets and other pets in the same house.

Environmental control is sufficient in some cases to prevent parasite spread (wash your hands and clean up that dog poop!) There are several safe and effective topical and oral products available to prevent infection and transmission of these common parasites.

Spring is an excellent time to visit with your veterinarian to discuss your pet's lifestyle and risk factors so you can take the best care possible of your animal companions as well as yourselves.