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Parasite Problems: Prevention is better than cure

Updated: Dec 26, 2023

Parasites can be anything from fleas to ticks to worms. Often they are barely visible from a quick glance but this blog will help you to learn how to identify them and how to rid them from your dog


What Are Fleas?

Fleas are insects, they have six legs and a body divided into a head, a thorax and an abdomen.

They cause the symptom of itching and carry disease agents.

Signs of an infestation: Black grit-type droppings that stain red when water is added.


What are Ticks?

These parasites are bloodsuckers. They have mouthparts that can penetrate the skin to extract blood (their food) from a capillary in your pet.

Where are they found?: Ticks inhabit grassy and wooded areas, animals such as Deer or sheep can carry ticks that are rubbed off onto vegetation. A dog rubbing against the vegetation will pick up the tick.


What are Worms?

These organisms are not the same worms you’d find in your garden, these organisms are given the general name ‘Worm’ because they are long, generally rounded and are ‘worm’ like’.

There are a number of different ‘worm’ types such as;

  • Tapeworm

  • Roundworm

  • Hookworm

These worms are found to be associated with the digestive system and therefore, are feeding from inside the inner organs


Symptoms of worms: Generally, intestinal parasites cause the following

  • Poor growth in young dogs

  • Diarrhoea

  • Agitated behaviour e.g. shuffling the rear end along the ground, scratching at the anus and Vomiting

  • Dull coat

  • Enlarged abdomen

What is Giardia?

Giardia is a parasite that once in your dogs system it will feed off them and create an infection. Giardia can be transmitted by eating or sniffing the cysts from contaminated ground, or by drinking contaminated water.


Signs of Giardia: If you suspect giardia in your dog keep a close eye on their stool and watch for:

  • Unusually soft, or oddly or poorly formed

  • Pale coloured or greenish

  • Extra foul smell

  • Contains mucus more than once

  • Appears fatty

  • Blood in stool

NOTE: Your dog may have recurring, intermittent diarrhoea. Some dogs also develop vomiting. If your dog has been infected with giardia for a few weeks they may also begin to lose weight. Giardia can be spread to humans so if your dog is infected take great caution by washing hands regularly etc.


Natural Prevention

Prevention for Worms:

  • Freshly minced organic Garlic

  • Ground organic Pumpkin Seeds

  • Food grade diatomaceous earth mixed very well into food

  • Worm count testing regularly to detect worms before they develop into a major issue

Prevention for Fleas:

  • A natural flea shampoo.

  • Freshly minced organic Garlic

  • making an apple cider vinegar spray

  • Natural Flea/Tick repellent supplements

Prevention for Ticks:

  • Freshly minced organic Garlic

  • a Natural flea/tick Shampoo

  • Making an apple cider vinegar spray

  • Natural Flea/Tick repellent supplements

Prevention for Giardia:

  • One of the most important things you can do is keep your dog’s environment clean.

  • Keep your dog’s crate/kennel, food and water bowls, and their favourite toys clean. Be sure to pick up poop in your garden regularly.


Natural Treatments

Treatment for Worms:

  • Neem Leaf

  • Ground organic Pumpkin Seeds

  • Fermented vegetables

  • grapefruit seed extract

  • Freshly minced organic Garlic

NOTE: If a positive worm count test has been returned for lungworm or heartworm please seek a vet appointment.


Treatment for Fleas:

  • use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth and dust over your pets fur and home furnishings taking care not to inhale it (human and hound)

  • a Natural flea/tick Shampoo

  • Making an apple cider vinegar spray

  • Washing all bedding (human and hound)

Treatment for Ticks:

Tick Tweezers for removal. Always twist do not pull, make sure the head, body and legs are still intact after removing


Treatment for Giardia:

Oregon Grape

Freshly minced organic Garlic

Goldenseal


NOTE: DO NOT Feed garlic to puppies under 6 months of age, or to pregnant or lactating females, or those on blood thinner medication or breeds such as Akitas or Shiba Inus as they are more sensitive to haemolytic effects found in garlic.



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