Our pets are actually very gross creatures at times. They lick the bottom of their feet after walking outside, lick their private parts, and sometimes eat the last thing on earth we would consider an edible treat. Because of these unsavory behaviors, intestinal parasites have been able to survive and produce robust populations in their cute little bodies. Veterinarians know that these parasites can be hiding in your pet and that some of them can be contagious to people (or zoonotic). I would like to spend a moment to highlight a few of the organisms we look for when you bring us a stool sample from your pet. The most common intestinal parasites we look for include (but aren't limited to): roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, coccidia, toxoplasma, and tapeworms.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Most dogs and cats have been infected with some intestinal parasite during their lives
  • Often show no symptoms
  • By having your pet tested annually, we can help protect your fur babies and your human family from these ugly parasites


Roundworms can be found in both dogs and cats. There are specific types of roundworms for dogs, as well as cats. Roundworms are easily passed from mother to baby. Adult pets pass the roundworm eggs in their poo. People can also contract roundworms which can migrate to the eye effecting vision (most commonly in young children). The most common question from our pet parents is, "If my puppy has roundworms, can I get them if they give me puppy kisses?" The answer is no. Luckily, it doesn’t work that way. Roundworms live in the soil. Think about a child’s sandbox, or a garden, or any place that would qualify as a pet bathroom.

According to the CDC, at least 14% of the US population has been infected with roundworms. Primarily, infection comes from ingestion of contaminated soil.

Hookworms are bloodsuckers that cause weight loss and anemia in puppies and kittens. Adult pets aren't safe from these parasites and can contract them from ingesting contaminated fecal material. Hookworms are another zoonotic parasite. When walking/playing in a contaminated area, the larvae can infect our bare feet, called cutaneous larval migrans. Hookworm prevalence is higher than you think. For every twenty dogs in this area, one has tested positive for hookworms.


Whipworms are intestinal parasites found primarily in adult dogs, but rarely in cats. Whipworms get their name from being able to whip their tails into the soft lining of the intestines. Davidson county has 28% of all the canine whipworm diagnosed in TN.

More information on the number of animals diagnosed with roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms can be found on www.capcvet.org

Toxoplasmosis is a more well-known disease because most women are educated about it during pregnancy. It infects cats, and mostly comes from eating infected raw meat, usually a mouse. Indoor only cats are at very low risk. Also, an infected cat only sheds toxoplasma for three weeks. If you come in contact with cat feces during the short time that a cat sheds the cysts, you can become infected (only if you ingest some cat poo). Most human exposure to toxoplasma is from undercooked beef, lamb, or pork, gardening, and sandboxes. As a veterinarian, I am still going to recommend that the partner of a pregnant woman clean the litter boxes and plant the flowers.

Coccidia is a microscopic parasite that causes watery diarrhea which can threaten the health of puppies and kittens. More often seen in young pets born into higher animal density environments, such as breeders that are breeding multiple females in a small area.

Giardia is an organism that infects pets when they drink contaminated water, i.e. puddles or pond water. All are at risk and infection usually results in poor appetite, vomiting, growling intestines, and loose stools. Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite in people. Often called the "Traveler's Diarrhea" because we also get infected from contaminated water sources. Canine giardia is not considered to spread to people. Most giardia infection in people is human to human.

Tapeworms are often associated mythically for causing weight loss. These long parasites shed little packets of eggs called proglottids. These proglottid segments pass from the rectum of pets and look like small maggots or, when dried, grains of rice. Tapeworms can not be passed pet to pet directly, they must have an intermediate host. That host is the flea. So if you identify proglottid segments in your pet's poo, you need to not only deworm your pet properly, but also update your flea prevention and ensure that it is being used properly in the frequency instructed.


Thankfully, we live in a modern society that has the science to easily screen your pet for these common parasites and prescribe preventive medications to help reduce infections.

Because our pets are part of the family and they have exposure to all these different parasites, veterinarians recommend having your pet screened at least once a year.

Noël Lucas, DVM
BLUE OASIS PET HOSPITAL