Fur-Parenting Against Parasites

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Being a “fur parent” to a pet dog is one of life’s greatest joys for many, with some treating their pets as if they were their own children.

Content creators and veterinary experts are reminding owners to ensure their pets are protected from parasites.

The most dangerous and common parasites affecting dogs include heartworms, intestinal worms (roundworms and tapeworms), ticks, fleas, and mites (ear and mange mites).

Veterinarian Sixto Carlos, a dog owner himself, identified heartworm—transmitted via mosquito bites—as the most dangerous parasite.

Carlos explained that heartworms and ticks thrive in the Philippines due to its warm climate.

“The sad thing is, heartworm infections are easily preventable,” Carlos said during a livestream on Thursday, Dec. 12.

“The problem is, once your dog has it, treatment is difficult, expensive, and risky,” he added.

Roundworms and tapeworms are among the easiest to contract.

Roundworms can spread through accidental ingestion of infected dog waste or contact with infected dogs, while tapeworms are often contracted by ingesting fleas.

“All of these worms cause internal injuries, particularly in the intestines. Hookworms, for example, can cause significant bleeding. If there are too many, there’s blood in the stool and the dog becomes fatigued,” Carlos said.

“Worms are parasites that absorb nutrients important to dogs,” he added.

Ticks are the most common of all parasites, but treatment is readily available through veterinarians.

Carlos warned that owners should not underestimate their impact.

Unlike fleas, ticks have eight legs, are slower, and have a shorter lifespan, while fleas have six legs and are more mobile.

“The problem with ticks is they bite and suck blood. If the infestation is severe, your dogs may become anemic.

“They may itch, bleed, or even suffer fatalities if blood-borne parasites like Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Babesia are transmitted,” Carlos said.

“We also have a condition called flea allergy dermatitis, which makes dogs very itchy and can lead to hair loss,” he added.

Carlos emphasized that regular veterinary visits are essential for preventing and treating parasitic infections.

“Check-ups for heartworm start at six months old, then annually to monitor for infections. Intestinal worms are checked starting at four weeks, and treatment is given if needed.

“Vets also check for ticks, fleas, and mites during these visits,” he said.

Dr. Ross Antonio Banayo of Pet PARA at Boehringer Ingelheim added that antiparasitic medications now come in convenient forms.

“Nowadays, there are monthly preventive options to combat internal and external parasites,” Banayo said.

“We have chewable tablets, topical solutions, and other convenient options,” he added.

Banayo pointed out that while mosquito nets are effective, they are impractical as heartworm prevention because mosquito bites cannot be fully monitored.

“We really have to protect our pets against parasites,” he said.

Medical doctor and content creator Adrian Insigne shared a personal experience, saying they lost a German Shepherd in less than 10 years due to heartworm.

Insigne, who grew up in a pet-loving family and owns five dogs, said learning about parasites is critical to preventing infections and ensuring a pet’s survival.

“Talks like these are very important because they give us the knowledge to prevent diseases.

“If we had known and consulted a vet earlier, we could’ve prevented our German Shepherd’s heartworm,” Insigne said.

“Now, we regularly visit the vet and consult on the best prevention and treatment options,” he added.