Intestinal parasites are very common in dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens can become infected with parasites before they are born or later through their mother's milk. Dogs and cats can also ingest parasites by licking or sniffing infected feces or by ingesting infected fleas. In addition to affecting your pet, some of these internal parasites can be transmitted to humans and cause serious disease, so it is important to find and eliminate these parasites early. The microscopic examination of a stool sample will usually help us to determine the presence of intestinal parasites. We recommend this exam for all puppies and kittens. If possible, please bring a fresh stool sample with you to your first exam.
Why should my puppy or kitten receive a dewormer?
Because intestinal worms are so common, and your pet may not pass worm eggs every single day (and therefore worms can sometimes be missed on a fecal exam) we recommend the use of a safe and effective deworming product for all puppies and kittens.
Deworming is performed at your first visit and repeated in about three weeks. It is important that it be repeated because the deworming medication only kills the adult worms. Within three to four weeks, the larval stages will become adults and need to be treated. Dogs and cats remain susceptible to re-infection with intestinal parasites, and periodic deworming throughout the dog's life may be recommended.
The following are links to some common gastrointestinal parasites: