There are many types of parasites that are found in the gastrointestinal tract of cats, dogs, and other animals. Worms such as roundworms, whipworms, hookworms and tapeworms are very common across theUnited States.
Other parasites can live in the intestines that are not worms. One-celled organisms called protozoa are also common parasites in the U.S. Giardia and coccidia are protozoa that can be transmitted directly from other animals to your pet, or your pet can be exposed from contaminated water.
Diagnosis of intestinal parasites requires testing of stool in our lab or perhaps further testing in a commercial lab. Your pet can have any of these parasites without any obvious signs of infection. If your pet’s stool looks normal, it doesn’t mean your pet can’t be infected. There is no one drug that can kill all types of intestinal parasites. However, some of the monthly heartworm preventatives will help keep your pet from developing roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
Your veterinarian needs to know what kinds of parasite(s) are affecting your pet, so that a proper medication can be prescribed. In order to do that we recommend that puppies have multiple stool samples tested for parasites. Adult dogs should have a stool sample tested at least once a year, or any time a pet is ill with vomiting or diarrhea.
It is also important to know that many intestinal parasites can be zoonotic, meaning that humans can get the parasites from animals. The parasites that can be transmitted to people include: roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, Giardia, coccidia, toxoplasma, and cryptosporidia. Please see the individual parasite information pages for more information.
The CDC recommends the following measures to prevent human infection:
- Keep dogs and cats under a veterinarian’s care for early and regular deworming.
- Clean up after the pet and dispose of stool daily.
- Keep animals’ play area clean.
- Wash hands after playing with dogs or cats.
- Keep children from playing in areas where animals have soiled.
- Cover sandboxes to keep animals out.
- Don’t let children eat dirt.