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Mar
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WORMS |
WORMS
There are many species of worms, and a number of these live in the tissues of dogs and most other animals. Many create no problem at all, so you are not even aware they exist. Others can be tolerated in small levels, but become a major problem if they number more than a few. The most common types seen in dogs are roundworms and tapeworms. While roundworms are the greater problem, tapeworms require an intermediate host so they are more easily eradicated.
Roundworms of the species Toxocara canis infest the dog. They may grow to a length of 8 inches (20 cm) and look like strings of spaghetti. The worms feed on the digesting food in the dog’s intestines. In chronic cases, the dog will become pot-bellied, have diarrhea, and vomit. Having passed through a stage when he always seems hungry, eventually, he will stop eating. The worms lay eggs in the dog that pass out in his feces. They are then either ingested by the dog, or are eaten by mice, rats, or beetles. The dog may then eat these and the life cycle is complete.
Larval worms can migrate to the womb of a pregnant bitch, or to her mammary glands, and this is how they pass to a puppy. The pregnant bitch can be wormed, which will help. The pups can, and should, be wormed when they are about two weeks old. Repeat worming every 10 to 14 days and the parasites should be removed. Worms can be extremely dangerous to young puppies, so you should be sure the pup is wormed as a matter of routine.
Tapeworms can be seen as tiny, ricelike eggs sticking to the puppy or dog’s anus. They are less destructive, but still undesirable. The eggs are eaten by mice, fleas, rabbits, and other animals that serve as intermediate hosts. They develop into a larval stage and must be eaten by the dog in order to complete the chain. Your vet will supply a suitable remedy if tapeworms are seen or suspected. The vet can also do an egg count on the dog’s feces under the microscope; this will indicate the extent of an infestation.
There are other worms, such as hookworms and whipworms, that are also bloodsuckers. They will make a Boston Terrier anemic, and blood might be seen in the feces, which can be examined by the vet to confirm their presence. Cleanliness in all matters is the best preventative measure for all worms.
BLOAT (GASTRIC DILATATION)
This condition has proved fatal in many dogs, especially large and deep-chested breeds. However, any dog can get bloat. It is caused when gases build up in the stomach, especially in the small intestine. Carbohydrates are fermented and release gases. Normally, these gases are released by belching or by being passed from the anus. If for any reason these exits become blocked (such as if the stomach twists due to physical exertion), the gases cannot escape and the stomach simply swells and places pressure on other organs, sometimes cutting off the blood supply to the heart or causing suffocation. Death can easily follow if the condition goes undetected.
The best preventative measure is not to feed large meals or exercise your Boston Terrier immediately after he has eaten. You can reduce the risk of flatulence by feeding more fiber in the diet, not feeding too many dry biscuits, and possibly by adding activated charcoal tablets to the diet.
