Hook, Round and Tape Worms.

It is common sense to think that as the number of pets increase, so does the likelihood that both the pets and their owners will be exposed to parasites. The prevalence of major parasites in both cats and dogs remains quite high. The three most common are the hookworm, roundworm and the tapeworm. I will describe each briefly.

Roundworms: Both dogs and cats. A large worm that lives as an adult in the small intestine. Begins as larvae work their way through the liver and lungs before they mature in the small intestine. Time: 2 to 5 weeks. Egg production: 85,000 a day, yes a day! Both humans and pets can get these worms. It is called Zoonotic Diseases. Symptoms: lethargy, diarrhea, weight loss in dogs. In people: the larvae can cause what they call larva migrans in people. When a person ingests a roundworm eggs, the migration of larvae and the resulting damage to internal organs, and that is referred to as visceral larva migrams (VLM. VLM occurs most often in younger kids.

Hookworms: Both dogs and cats. These worms are not especially nice to look at. They are white and reddish-brown with a hook at one end. They live as adults in the small intestine of dogs and cats. They (larva) either enter through the skin or are swallowed. Production: 20,000 per day.

Tapeworms: I always referred to tapeworms as looking like a kernel of rice. If they segment, that is what they look like. They will be stuck to your dogs tail. Usually stuck to the hair closest to the anal region. Sometimes, if the infestation is really bad, you will see live ones at the anal opening. Both dogs and cats. Tapeworms come from dogs and cats ingesting fleas. Fleas are the carriers of tapeworm eggs. Weird, I know.

Human infections usually happens when a young child ingests a flea, inadvertently. Best way is just pure cleanliness. Keep your pet flea free by using the topical (between) the shoulder flea applications and if you have an infestation, clear that area, all dog beds, blankets, etc...and wash the dog in a plain dog shampoo and then put on the flea application between the shoulders.

And, last but not least, a recent article from the CDC (Contagious Disease Center) indicates that 14% of the US population has been infected with roundworms contracted from dogs and cats.
source of last paragraph: Healthy Pet Magazine, mailed from Guyan Animal Hospital to remind it is time for Chance's annual shots and heartworm test....even though he has taken the medication all year, I still have him tested.

***WARNING: DO NOT USE A FLEA SHAMPOO AND THEN PUT ON THE FLEA TREATMENT. YOU WILL KILL YOUR DOG. IT WILL PUT TOO MUCH TOXINS INTO YOUR PET'S BODY AND YOUR PET WILL GO INTO SHOCK, SEIZURES AND THEN DEATH.***