Medically reviewed by Dr. Irish on April 28th, 2023. Hookworms in dogs can wreak havoc on your furry friend’s health. This is especially true for young puppies. As the name implies, hookworms have tiny hook-like mouthparts which allow them to stick to the intestinal wall. Although hookworms are very small (only about 1/8″ or 2-3mm …
Parasites
Parasites is a category that covers the most common complaint of dog owners and dogs. You’ll find posts on tapeworms, heartworms, fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, and more.
The important thing is to prevent reinfestation of parasites in dogs. Parasites can cause serious allergic skin reactions (atopic dermatitis) and in severe cases can even kill.
If you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably encountered a tick, and if you’re anything like me, just talking about them makes you itch! They’re small, difficult to detect, and hard to get rid of. Unfortunately, ticks can transmit a number of illnesses beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) including canine Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Bartonellosis, and …
Puppies are so sweet and innocent with their cute little noses and playful paw swipes. It’s hard to imagine they could have intestinal worms! The truth is new puppies are often born with worms that they contract in utero. Since the health risks of parasites in puppies far outweigh the risk of deworming, veterinarians suggest …
Medically reviewed by Dr. Erica Irish, DVM Scooping dog poop is probably one of our least favorite chores. It is, however, a necessary evil that can help us find health problems in our pets that we might not have known about. Have you recently noticed anything unusual in your dog’s poop, like something that looks …
Do you suspect your dog may have a flea rash on his belly? You might be right, but you should check with the veterinarian for a diagnosis. Your dog can have any one of several skin conditions. They can be caused by anything from medical conditions to food allergies. Skin problems are hard to diagnose …
Many dog owners are looking for flea pills for dogs without a vet prescription these days. There may be several reasons for that. Money, time, or a worry over the chemical composition all play a role. This post is designed to help you understand the differences in the types of medications available. This includes pros, …
Does your dog love to dig in the dirt? Most dogs do! They also love to run in fields, stick their noses in rodent burrows, and investigate dark and smelly places outside. Dogs seem to be living their best lives when engaged in these activities. Unfortunately, there may be a price to pay if there …
Ticks are nasty creatures that nobody wants to see on themselves or their dogs. It’s a myth that ticks can fly. What they actually do is wait for a host on a blade of grass or leaf. They raise their forelegs in the air and latch onto your dog, or YOU, when you walk by. …
Diatomaceous earth for dogs isn’t inherently bad for your dog. Unfortunately, it’s a slow and inefficient method of getting rid of fleas. Why? Because fleas remain dormant in pupae (egg) stage. They are resistant to all flea control methods until they become adults. As you’ll see in this post, diatomaceous earth is an effective insecticide …
Did you know that heartworms can live in your dog for as long as 7 years? The heartworm life cycle in dogs is a long journey that can eventually lead to serious lung disease, damaged organs, heart failure, and death. The vicious cycle begins with a mosquito bite. If that mosquito is infected by a …