Internal Parasites Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms, can make a home inside your pet and rob your animal of vital nutrients, leading to poor appetite, loss of energy, serious anemia, and even death. Puppies and kittens are especially susceptible. Parasite infestation can be controlled and prevented. Your veterinarian can tell you about the extent of the parasite problem in your area. Simple diagnostic procedures can be performed.
Toxoplasmosis is a related disease.
External Parasites From time to time most pets have parasites such as fleas or ticks or lice or mites. It's simply in the nature of things, parasites being parasites. It is, of course, not necessary simply to accept such a state of affairs. Because external parasites can be extremely irritating to a pet and cause serious skin disorders or even disease, you have an obligation to rid your pet of these unwelcome guests if they are infested with them. They are not always discernible to the unpracticed eye and are therefore sometimes present in great numbers before you become aware of them.