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Intestinal parasites in puppies and kittens, or newly adopted adult dogs and cats, are not unexpected. The most common intestinal parasites are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, giardia, and coccidia. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms live in, attach, and reproduce in a dog or cats’ intestinal tract. Giardia and coccidia are not “worms,” but are single-celled protozoal parasites that attach to the intestinal cells.
Most of the time, parasites are not visible to the naked eye, and in mild cases, patients may continue to have formed or semi-soft stool. However, intestinal parasites can cause problems if left untreated long term, and some of them are contagious to people and other pets. Because of this, many veterinarians recommend fecal testing any newly adopted dog or cat. Annual fecal testing may then be recommended based on lifestyle and risk factors going forward. For example, dogs who attend daycare are often required to have annual or semi-annual fecal tests, and indoor/outdoor kitties who hunt will be at higher risk of intestinal parasites.
If you do happen to see a worm in your pet’s feces, it is most likely a roundworm or a tapeworm segment. Occasionally, a roundworm might also be seen in a pet’s vomit. Roundworms look like thin, white/light brown noodles. Tapeworms are often described as small, white grains of rice and may move on the feces or fur around the rectal area. While it is concerning to see parasites, don’t panic if you do.
If your dog or cat is eating well, does not have significant diarrhea, and has normal energy, then the recommendation is to contact your primary care veterinarian to discuss testing and treatment. If you do not have a primary care veterinarian yet, or if your pet is having diarrhea and weight loss, then making an urgent care appointment is very reasonable.
You will be advised to bring a stool sample (the fresher the better!) to the appointment for microscopic testing and occasionally antigen testing. You can bring the fecal sample in a plastic bag or clean container. Make sure you wash your hands well after cleaning up any feces. Even in cases where we can visually identify the parasite, testing for other parasites is recommended, due to the risk of infection with multiple types of parasites. Different parasites require different treatment plans, so this is important information for the veterinarian to know. For example, dogs and cats with tapeworm infection will also need flea preventative, as many tapeworm infections happen because a pet has ingested fleas containing tapeworm larvae.
Once fecal testing results are final, your veterinarian will discuss a deworming plan, follow-up testing, environmental decontamination, and any risk of the parasite affecting the people within your household, based on the specific type and whether it’s zoonotic (can be passed between animals and humans).
While waiting for the results, please make sure to promptly clean up any fecal material and dispose of it in the trash. Always wash your hands after handling it. If your dog goes to daycare or dog parks, please avoid them until you are able to speak with your veterinarian, so you can prevent spreading the parasite to other pets.
Remember, intestinal parasites can be common in dogs and cats, and most are easily treated.
