• Eliminate parasites from pets.
• Do not allow children to play where animals have passed feces.
• Practice good personal hygiene.
• Dispose of pet feces on a regular basis.

For roundworms and hookworms, dogs are most commonly infected when they eat intestinal worm eggs that have been passed through the feces of an infected animal. For tapeworms, dogs can acquire by either eating an infected flea or by ingesting small mammals.

In order to prescribe the appropriate treatment or preventive program, your veterinarian conducts a physical examination and microscopic analysis of your pet’s feces. Tapeworm segments may also be evident in the dog’s haircoat or on the feces.

To ensure the highest level of health for your pet, year-round prevention is the most effective way to control canine parasites and the diseases they can carry. Thereby reducing the potential risk to your family that comes in daily contact with your pet.

A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted between animals and humans. The potential is very real and should be a good common sense concern for every pet owner. The most common zoonotic intestinal parasite disease is roundworms. Humans can ingest infective worm eggs that have been passed through the pet's feces and into the environment. The eggs hatch in the human intestinal tract, and the immature worms travel to various tissues in the body, including the eyes and brain, causing serious reactions. Walking barefoot on the beach or other areas where pets deposit feces gives hookworms an opportunity to penetrate the skin. An itching sensation where the larvae entered the skin and visible tracks indicate infection, which can cause mild to extreme discomfort but is easily treated. One species of canine hookworm can develop in the human intestine and may cause disease. Although not as common as roundworms and hookworms, humans, primarily young children, can become infected by tapeworms by ingesting a flea. This can lead to gastrointestinal upset and the passage of tapeworm segments in feces.

Adult roundworms live in an infected dog's intestines. Not all dogs have signs of infection; however, major roundworm infestation, especially in puppies, shows up as weight loss, dull hair, and a potbellied appearance. A cough may mean the roundworms have moved into the lungs. Adult roundworms may be seen in your dog's feces or vomit. Roundworms are white or light brown in color and may be several inches long.

Because roundworms can enter your dog's body in many different ways, it is essential to keep your dog's living area clean, remove feces regularly, and, if possible, prevent your dog from eating small mammals that may carry roundworms. Virbantel™ dewormer controls roundworms. Ask your veterinarian to prescribe the correct dose for your dog.

Hookworms suck blood, causing internal blood loss. This is a serious threat to dogs, especially young puppies that may not survive the blood loss without transfusions. In older animals the blood loss may be more chronic, and the pet may have diarrhea and show weight loss.

Because hookworms can enter your dog's body in many different ways, it is essential to keep your dog's living area clean, remove feces regularly, and, if possible, prevent your dog from eating small mammals that may carry hookworms. If you think your dog is infected with hookworms, call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment for evaluation, diagnosis, and safe, effective treatment with Virbantel™.

Tapeworms are an extremely repugnant parasite that ultimately leads to segments shedding in your dog's feces. As the segments exit the intestine and crawl around on the perianal region, they can cause some localized inflammation and irritation along their path leading to “scooting” and perianal itching.

The best way is to give your dog Virbantel™ along with regular flea protection for your dog and the environment and keep your dog from eating small mammals.