Fast facts about ® Parasites and dogs: parasites and dogs top 5 FAQs

1 It is common for a dog to become infected Which parasites can my dog get? with an internal or external parasite at some Dogs are susceptible to fleas, ticks, and 1 point in his lifetime. mosquitoes as well as some internal parasites, 2 Dogs are 50% more likely to get Lyme disease such as hookworms, roundworms, and than humans.2 Learn more whipworms. 3 Lyme disease can be found in every U.S. state Can I get infections from my dog? and Canadian province.2 Learn more about caring for your dog at any age at pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health. You and your family can become infected with 4 Anaplasmosis is surpassing Lyme disease in parasites the same way your pets get them— 3 Check out more about your pet’s regular checkups. some areas of North America. by contact with infected ticks or with poop Visit pethealthnetwork.com/preventivecare to get 5 Ehrlichiosis may show no signs for years containing eggs or larvae. more free information about partnering with your and may eventually cause severe illness if veterinarian to keep your pet healthy. left untreated. How can my dog be infected? Dogs can be exposed to tick- and mosquito- 6 Heartworm infection rates remain unchanged over the past 10 years.3 borne infections in almost any location where mosquitoes, deer ticks, and other types of ticks can be found. Some worms can be passed from mother to pup or from contact with poop containing parasite eggs and larvae.

How are infections diagnosed? Ask for simple screening tests from your veterinarian—you’ll know right away whether your dog has been exposed to these infections ® and whether further testing and treatment are needed. Your veterinarian may ask for a poop sample to look for intestinal worms. References 1. Dog owners: overview. Pets & Parasites website. Can my dog get infected and not show signs? http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/overview. pethealthnetwork.com Accessed July 7, 2015. It’s possible for your dog to be infected and 2. Breitschwerdt E, Ford RB, Lappin M, Levy SA, Phillip M. Testing show few or no signs of illness—pay close for ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. Compendium on Continuing attention to subtle changes in your dog’s Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. 2001;23(4)(suppl). Parasites, Dogs, 3. Bowman D, Little SE, Lorentzen L, Shields J, Sullivan MP, behavior and screen him regularly for parasitic Carlin EP. Prevalence and geographic distribution of Dirofilaria diseases. Early intervention is important for a immitis, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma and Protecting Your phagocytophilum in dogs in the United States: results of a © 2015 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. • 09-81396-00 lifetime of good health. national clinic-based serologic survey. Vet Parasitol. All ®/TM marks are owned by IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States 2009;160(1–2):138–148. and/or other countries. The IDEXX Privacy Policy is available at idexx.com. Whole Family IMPORTANT: No prevention is 100% effective. 7 quick tips for protect- Your guide to understanding parasitic diseases in dogs Test your dog every year. ing dogs and families

1 Pick up your dog’s waste regularly, especially in places where both children and animals play. Lyme disease Anaplasmosis Ehrlichiosis Heartworm disease Hookworm Roundworm Whipworm 2 Wash your hands thoroughly after picking up How does my dog get Deer tick or black-legged tick (Ixodes spp.) carries Lone star tick Mosquito transfers Ingestion of parasite eggs or rodents or direct Ingestion of your dog’s waste and also after exposure to infected? bacteria and bites dogs, spreading infection. (Amblyomma worm larvae from contact with parasite larvae in contaminated parasite eggs from soil (gardening), sandboxes, and raw meat. americanum) or brown infected dog to your environment. Also spread through mother’s milk a contaminated dog tick (Rhipicephalus dog; larvae develop and placenta. environment (soil, 3 Cover sandboxes and play areas to prevent sanguineus) carries into worms that live in kennels, dog parks, etc.) wildlife and strays from contaminating bacteria and bites dog, the heart and its vessels. spreading infection. these areas. Most common May not show any May not show any From mild to severe: No signs at first, then: May not show any May not show any May not show any 4 Do not allow children to put dirt in their signs of infection signs, or: signs, or: • Loss of appetite • Mild, persistent cough signs, or: signs, or: signs, or: mouths. • Lameness • Lack of energy • Depression • Reluctance to move • Diarrhea • Diarrhea • Intermittent diarrhea • Fever • High fever • Fever or exercise • Pale gums • Pot-bellied • Loose poop 5 Check your dog and your family for ticks • Swollen joints • Swollen, very painful • Painful joints • Tiredness after • Poor health appearance • Blood in poop regularly. If you find a tick, remove it right away. • Kidney failure joints • Bloody nose moderate exercise • Poor hair quality • Poor hair quality •“Not himself” • Loss of appetite • Pale gums • Reduced appetite • Cough 6 Have your dog tested for intestinal parasites • Loss of appetite • Weight loss • Vomiting and parasitic infections annually (at a Disease progression Damaged joints, fatal Very low numbers of Permanent blindness, Heart failure, lung Intestinal inflammation, Intestinal inflammation, Chronic bloody minimum). Don’t forget to bring a fresh poop if left untreated kidney disease (rare), platelets and white autoimmune diseases, disease, sudden death failure to grow/thrive, failure to grow/thrive, diarrhea, dehydration, sample to the visit. neurological signs (rare) blood cells, chronic bleeding complications, weight loss, severe weight loss weight loss and anemia joint pain, neurological death anemia 7 Talk with your veterinarian about parasite signs (rare) infection risks in your area and your options Coinfection Coinfection with Lyme disease and anaplasmosis is possible. In addition, it’s possible for your dog to Roundworm, whipworm Hookworm, whipworm Hookworm, roundworm for effective year-round prevention. become infected with any combination of parasitic diseases—including those not listed here. Diagnosis Simple blood test: IDEXX SNAP® 4Dx® Plus Test (can detect six infections in one blood sample in less Test poop sample for presence of parasites (eggs, larvae, antigen) than 10 minutes) Other tests: Complete blood count, chemistry profile, urinalysis, other special tests (depending on initial findings and clinical signs) Treatment Antibiotics: doxycycline, Antibiotics: doxycycline, Antibiotics: doxycycline, Adulticides (kills adult Deworming medication tetracycline tetracycline tetracycline heartworms), monthly products Source: American Heartworm Society

Prognosis If caught and treated early, the outcome is usually very good for a full recovery from symptoms. Good Good Good Some of these infections cannot be cured completely, but early intervention usually provides the best prognosis. Vaccine available? Yes No No No No No No Other prevention Daily tick inspection and removal, and the use of oral Oral and topical Monthly parasite control products (available from your veterinarian), often or topical preventatives. preventatives included in your monthly heartworm preventatives. Also remember to pick Ask your vet for more information. up your dog’s waste regularly.

Special thanks to Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt and Dr. Matt Eberts for their contributions. Tick images supplied by the Armed Forces Pest Management Board. afpmb.org. American dog tick (Dermacentor Preventive Care and Your Dog variabilis) photographer: Susan E. Ellis, USDA-APHIS-PPQ. Deer tick (Ixodes scapularis), lone star tick (Amblyomma HEALTH americanum) and brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) photographer: James L. Occi