Effective Parasite Control & Deworming Techniques for D

Section 1: Internal Parasites

These include roundworms, hookworms, heartworms, and tapeworms.

1. Roundworms, being intestinal parasites, can lead to anemia and lung damage, and they can also infect humans. The eggs of roundworms in grass and soil can remain viable for months to years.

2. Hookworms have teeth resembling hooks that attach to the intestinal walls to feed on blood. They also secrete anticoagulants, causing the intestinal lining to bleed excessively. These worms can infect puppies and humans through larvae that crawl and burrow. Those interested can look up "cutaneous larval migrans" for more information.

3. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and take about six months to mature in a dog's body. Therefore, to prevent heartworms, it is necessary to administer medication continuously for 12 months.

4. Tapeworms pose minimal harm to dogs. They are typically contracted by ingesting fleas or small vertebrates. Even if diagnosed, there is no need to panic as medication is highly effective. It's important to note that newly excreted worms and eggs are not infectious, but it is still not advisable to pick up feces with bare hands.

Section 2: External Parasites

These include fleas, ticks, mange mites, demodex mites, and ear mites.

1. Fleas are tiny yet incredibly dangerous. They can transmit many diseases through their bloodsucking habits. Continuous and consistent external deworming is necessary, along with maintaining a clean environment.

2. Ticks are a major concern during spring and summer. Dogs love to play in grass, where ticks are most abundant and where they are most likely to be infested. The saliva of ticks contains neurotoxins that affect the presynaptic terminals of lower motor neurons, leading to weakness in the hind legs that can progress to the front limbs and, in severe cases, affect breathing. Tick bites can also cause anemia and even blood diseases, although curable, the resulting blood issues may persist permanently. Extra caution should be taken when taking pets out during these seasons.

3. Mange mites are parasites that most stray dogs are infected with and can also be transmitted to humans, causing itchy papules.

4. Demodex mites prefer to live in hair follicles. Both humans and dogs have their own species of demodex mites, meaning that a dog's demodex mites do not transmit to humans. The transmission between dogs is also very low. A small number of demodex mites on the skin is normal, but when a dog has systemic diseases that weaken its immune system, demodex mites can multiply rapidly, leading to hair loss and folliculitis.

5. Dog ear mites do not transmit to humans but can be passed between dogs. Thorough cleaning of the ear canal, combined with external deworming drops that kill ear mites, can effectively treat the condition.

Section 3: How to Deworm Properly?

1. The First Step of Scientific Deworming

Start deworming your puppy at two months old, performing the treatment every two weeks. The most important criterion is that the deworming medication is effective against roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms. The rationale is that puppies inherit parasites from their mothers through milk, and deworming medication can only anesthetize the parasites, not completely anesthetize and expel them in a single dose.

2. The Second Step of Scientific Deworming

After two months, deworm your puppy monthly. The criterion for deworming medication is that it is effective against heartworms, as heartworm prevention medications are also effective against roundworms and hookworms, while deworming medications for roundworms and hookworms are not effective against heartworms.

3. The Third Step of Scientific Deworming

After two months, perform external deworming monthly, especially in damp regions of the south and during warm seasons. The deworming medication should primarily target fleas and ticks, with no mandatory requirements for mites.

This is the correct deworming rhythm.

If you miss the first step starting at two weeks old, it is recommended to make up for the corresponding duration before proceeding with monthly deworming for both internal and external parasites. Regular deworming is the first step to ensuring your dog's health.