When you have a dog or a cat, it is usual to worry about performing an external deworming at the time of presenting fleas or ticks; However, many times we do not give due importance to a much more critical issue: the presence of parasites inside your body.

Parasites can represent a serious health problem for our pets; even worse, they may be able to infect other animals and even people. That is why it is essential to perform an internal deworming that serves to eliminate worms that may be housed in your digestive system, or to prevent them from accessing your body.

The most common internal parasites

In general, the parasites are lodged in the intestine of the animals and can be differentiated according to their type.

Roundworms are the most common, they lodge in the intestines and can reproduce rapidly. They are very resistant to extreme temperatures and cause serious obstructions and injuries in the intestine of the animal. When they infect humans, these parasites can cause very serious damage, including paralysis or blindness.

For its part, the so-called whipworms feed on blood in the large intestine, both dogs and cats. They spread very easily and can cause very serious infections in pets, representing a risk of death.

Hookworms often lodge in the small intestine, feed on the blood and can cause, in the animal, anemia, diarrhea and skin lesions, among other complications. These worms can also cause serious harm to people.

Pulmonary worms are another type of parasites that are very dangerous for animals because they generate serious respiratory problems and can also cause death.

There are also the so-called worms of the heart that are transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes and that are installed in the pulmonary arteries of pets. By reproducing around the heart of the animal, they hinder their beats and generate heart failure. If not treated in time, it can mean the death of the pet.

Some of the most common symptoms that can occur in the presence of parasites in dogs and cats include general decay, lack of appetite, abdominal swelling, diarrhea and vomiting. Many times, you can see the presence of these worms in the stool of the pet, so if you see any of these symptoms and you notice a strange behavior in your pet, we recommend you go to a trusted veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

How internal deworming is done

Puppies are very vulnerable to intestinal parasites, accounting for almost 70% of cases. However, your deworming should be prescribed by the veterinarian since many medications can be toxic to them.

When dealing with puppies, specialists usually prescribe a dose of anthelmintic administered orally, in periods spaced several weeks.

In the case of pets in adulthood, the veterinary treatment to eliminate the parasites is three months, according to the deworming calendar.

It is necessary to take into account that, even in cases where the pet does not leave home, the risk of infection is very high when internal deworming is not complied with according to the veterinarian’s instructions, since parasites can reach the home through the eggs glued on the clothing or the sole of the shoes.

The best way to be protected and take care of the health of our pets is to follow the deworming calendar, giving the regular veterinary treatment indicated by the specialist.