Articles with parasites

Polka Dot Stools in Dogs: What Are Those White Things in My Dog’s Poop? Intestinal Parasites and When to See a Vet

If your dog’s poop looks like somebody just had a birthday party in their belly, somebody did. Those polka dots on your dog’s poop are cooties… in other words, parasites! Unfortunately, your dog’s polka dot stool will not look as cute as in this illustration. How fresh is the poop? If the pie isn’t freshly baked, the worms might not…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

A Primer On Intestinal Worms: Types, Symptoms, and Diagnosis of Intestinal Worms in Dogs

Intestinal worms in dogs are parasites that live in the digestive tract. They cause damage and rob your dog of needed nutrients. The damage they cause depends on the type and number of worms involved. In general, the adult worms that infect dogs cannot live in people. However, in rare cases, immature forms of these parasites can migrate through human…

by Dr. John A. Bukowski, DVM, and Dr. Susan E. Aiello, DVM

Drug-Resistant Canine Hookworms: Superworms not Responding to Treatment?

Drug-resistant infections are one of the veterinarians’ and dog parents’ worst nightmares. Hookworms worms are true blood-suckers. These common, tiny small intestinal parasites anchor themselves in the intestinal lining, feeding on blood. Despite their size, hookworms can ingest a surprisingly large amount of blood. Consequently, hookworm infestation can lead to anemia as well as inflammation of the intestine. How does…

by Jana Rade

Canine Tick-Borne Diseases: The Ticking Bomb

Ticks are external parasites that attach to the skin of a dog and then proceed to feed off of the dog’s blood. Not only are ticks uncomfortable for the dog, but they can also carry a number of diseases that can be passed on to the dog. Some of these diseases can be deadly if not caught and treated early…

by Dr. Lorie Huston

Ticks on Your Dog: It’s a Conversation if You’re Listening

It is well-known that ticks can harm your dog by the disease they carry. But can a tick bite itself hurt your dog? It might depend on where the tick attaches. It seemed to be the case with Sam whose foot became severely painful when a tick attached. Listening to your dog The only way to ever learn anything is…

by Jana Rade

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of America, and an award-winning author in my spare time. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Endless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care into my own hands. I learned the hard way that simply seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to finally get a diagnosis for her initial issue. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to use 20 years of hard-earned experience to save others from the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way, as I did.

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