Various organisms including ringworms (a fungal infection), intestinal worms, or heart worms. Diagnosis achieved through fecal samples, or, as with heartworm, blood tests.
Physical Symptoms
Lethargy, increased appetite or loss of appetite, swollen or bloated appearance to belly, emaciation, poor coat condition, bloody stool, vomiting, diarrhea. Some dogs may not show symptoms. Worms or tiny white lines like grains of rice may be present in the stool.
Cause/Transmission
Contact with contaminated or infected fecal material. Heart worms may be contracted with the bite of an infected mosquito.
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian. Generally an oral or injected wormer may be prescribed and symptoms may be treated. Advanced cases of heart worms may require surgery or be not be treatable.
