All about parasites
Exciting news! The new puppy has finally arrived! It is important for owners to be prepared for puppyhood, and one common concern is parasites. Many people wonder, "Is my dog okay?" The truth is, your puppy or dog can easily contract a parasite at any point. It can happen while at daycare, the beach, the lake, on a walk, or even just playing in a rain puddle. One misconception that breeders often encounter is, "Is this normal and why wasn't it treated before my puppy came home?"
I remember when I got my first puppy at 16, he had 2 parasites. It wasn't a big deal to me, I simply gave him the dewormer and moved on. Sometimes, situations like this can be blown out of proportion. Are parasites annoying? Absolutely! But it is important for owners like myself and you to understand that it is common for dogs from group environments such as kennels, breeders, daycares, and dog parks to come into contact with parasites. This does not mean the facility or person you got the dog from is bad. Parasites can be difficult to get rid of and easily spread, starting the cycle all over again. This is why I start deworming my puppies at a young age to ensure an early start. I recently had a conversation with a K9 officer about how every single one of their working police dogs have had giardia and the normality of that parasite. There’s so many ways your pooch can contract it!
It is crucial for you as their owner to have your own deworming schedule. I recommend starting the first week your puppy comes home, then testing their stool after that week. Continue deworming every 10-14 days until they have finished their puppy shots or have completed 4 cycles (5-10 days in length) of deworming. After that, your puppy should be good for 3 months. From there, deworm them every 3 months as a preventative measure.
Two common parasites your puppy may come into contact with that you cannot see are Giardia and Coccidia. These are not worms, but single-celled organisms that reproduce in the intestines and spread through feces. They can survive in water and soil, and can be picked up by other animals through contaminated water, grass, or soil.
Another 4 that are visible to the eye are Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are the four most prevalent types of intestinal worms found in dogs. These parasites reside in a dog's intestines and can often be seen in the dog's feces as white, squirming strands resembling noodles or grains of rice.
However, these parasites can be easily treated. Your puppy may still shed parasitic eggs when stressed, so be sure to give them the dewormer provided for the first few days home. This will help prevent reproduction and or help treat adult worms if they replicate from their eggs. If your puppy shows no symptoms and has firm stool, they may still be carrying eggs from a previous treatment that can replicate. Just monitor them closely and follow the recommended treatment plan your local veterinarian comes up with. Remember, parasites are common puppy things and just one of the many phases you can encounter at any point of your journey with your new friend at any time. We just like to educate from what we have learned from our reproductive vet and techs, which is what we are here for as your breeder. We always will be here to help along the way!
