Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student About Intestinal Parasites (Worms)?

Here’s an opportunity to test your knowledge about intestinal parasites. Be sure to send your responses to me your responses to me and I will enter your name into a book drawing. If selected you will receive a copy of Speaking for Spot or Your Dog’s Best Health (the choice will be yours). Good luck and, as always, look for the answers a week from now.

1. Dogs are susceptible to all but which one of the following parasites?
a. protozoa
b. pinworms
c. stomach worms
d. whipworms

2. Which of these parasites is not transmissible between dogs and cats by way of their feces?
a. Roundworms
b. Coccidia
c. Tapeworms
d. Giardia

3. Which parasite is least likely to shed eggs that will show up in a fecal flotation (microscopic evaluation of the feces)?
a. Roundworms
b. Hookworms
c. Coccidia
d. Tapeworms

4. Puppies are commonly infected with roundworms because of which of the following?
a. Larvae (young stages of the worms) can be transferred to the puppies while they are in the uterus.
b. Interactions between puppies transmit parasites from one to another.
c. Larvae can be transferred to the pup through the mother’s milk.
d. All of the above.

5. Which species can transmit a potentially lethal form of roundworms to dogs?
a. Raccoon
b. Fox
c. Horse
d. Squirrel

6. Tapeworms commonly cause:
a. Diarrhea
b. Weight loss
c. Itching around the anus
d. All of the above

7. Which canine intestinal parasites are zoonotic (can cause health concerns in people)?
a. Roundworms
b. Hookworms
c. Giardia
d. All of the above

8. Which statement is true pertaining to over-the-counter dewormers?
a. They typically include medications effective against most types of intestinal parasites.
b. They are just as effective as those prescribed by a veterinarian.
c. When used regularly, they can take the place of an annual stool check (fecal flotation).
d. They can be a huge waste of your money.

Don’t forget to send your answers to me for a chance to win a book.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Author of Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet
Recipient, Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Recipient, AKC Club Publication Excellence Award
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Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot and Your Dog’s Best Health.   There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot and Your Dog’s Best Health are available at http://www.speakingforspot.com, Amazon.com, local bookstores, and your favorite online book seller.