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Worms · Signs & symptoms · Diagnosis · Treatment · Related articles
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Pets with intestinal worms experience a range of symptoms from anemia, malnutrition, and death to no symptoms at all. Intestinal worms compete with the pet for nutrients so that a pet with a heavy worm burden looks malnourished and has a swollen belly. The hair is often dry, dull, and coarse. There can be mucoid discharge from the eyes. Pets can have diarrhea and abdominal pain. Over time, they lose weight.
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Pets with parasites that suck blood (hookworms) or cause blood loss because they damage the intestinal wall (whipworms) experience anemia. Anemic pets have pale mucous membranes and a rapid heart beat.
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Are worms all bad?
No. In some cases worms may be of benefit. There are fewer human autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus, in places that humans have been exposed to intestinal parasites. With autoimmune diseases, the body is attacking its own tissue. Some speculate that immune systems in humans with intestinal parasites direct their energy toward the parasites rather than toward the person’s own tissues. There has not been enough work done in pets to know if those with intestinal parasites have fewer autoimmune diseases.
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The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians
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Weight lossDull coatSwollen bellywormsAnemia |
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Over ¾ of fecal exams do not find parasites present in feces
Because puppies & kittens are born with worms, they should be dewormed regularly
Some worms that infect pets also infect people
To prevent human infections, pets in homes with children, immune-compromised individuals, or elderly persons should be deworm at least every 3 months
Dogs commonly get hooks, whips, rounds, tapes and heartworms
Cats commonly get rounds, hooks, tapes and heartworms, but not whipworms
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PuppiesKittensCats that catch preyPets raised on farmsPets raised in yards that have had pets for many years |
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