With all they have to offer, it is important to remember the responsibility of pet ownership. Lots of love, a good diet and regular veterinary care are essential to the well being of your pet. Routine veterinary checkups that include an examination, immunizations and tests for internal parasites will insure a long, happy life for your pet. Internal parasites are the most common of problems in dogs. Statistics show that one in three dogs will be infected at some time with intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms.
Roundworms are the most commonly seen intestinal parasite.
Puppies are often born with them and can be treated as early as three weeks. In puppies, the larvae penetrate the small intestine and then enter the bloodstream to arrive at the liver and lungs. Sometimes, they will even travel up the trachea where they can be coughed up, swallowed then pass back to the intestines where they mature and reproduce. These worms can also migrate to the muscles where they form cysts and lie dormant. If the dog becomes pregnant, the worms can migrate to the lungs of the developing puppies as well as into the mother s milk.