As much as we all love our pets, we hate to think about internal
and external parasites that our pet could be carrying, and worse
yet, the potential of affecting our own health. There has been a
lot of interesting studies done in recent years by CAPC, which
is the Companion Animal Parasite Council. The studies suggest
that the incidence of parasites may be far greater that we ever
thought, and that has brought about new recommendations to
prevent parasites in our pets. Internal parasites include
roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, hookworms, and heartworm, as
well a few other intestinal parasites like giardia. External
parasites include fleas and ticks, ear mites, and mange mites
are of main concern. Pets that frequent dog parks, playgrounds,
or any areas where a lot of people and pets frequent can be
exposed to a lot of parasite eggs in the stool of other pets.
They can step in it and become infected before you even know it.
There is particularly high risk with an intestinal worm carried
by raccoons, as well.