The parasites in dogs and cats can be internal (intestinal worms, tapeworms, giardiasis) or external (fleas, ticks, mites). Detecting them in time is essential to protect your pet's health and avoid contagion to other animals or even people.
Among the most common symptoms of internal parasites are the following vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, bloated abdomen, unexplained weight loss and the presence of worms in the stools. In the case of external parasites, the signs include excessive scratching, hair loss, skin irritation, scabbing or the visible presence of fleas and ticks.
Some parasites do not show symptoms in the early stages, so it is advisable to perform regular veterinary check-ups and implement internal and external deworming preventively. The veterinarian will confirm the diagnosis by clinical examination and specific analyses, recommending the most appropriate treatment.
To learn more about the importance of parasite control in domestic animals, you can consult the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)The International Reference Centre for Animal Health and Zoonosis Prevention.
