What people commonly refer to as “worms” are really internal parasites. Internal parasites are organisms that live within an animal, gaining their nutrition and protection at the expense of the host animal. Internal parasites live in the heart or intestinal tract, and many internal parasites can be life-threatening.

Dogs can pick up parasites outdoors from eating parasite-infested bark, leaves, soil and other natural matter (including raccoon feces, which is especially dangerous). In fact, some parasite eggs can last for more than a year in the soil. Pets can contract internal parasites from a variety of sources including: contact with contaminated soil, food or water , mosquitoes, licking the ground, their mothers; before or after birth, fleas, birds and rodents.

Ticks are small spider-like acarids and fleas are insects, but these two tiny creatures have at least one thing in common – they are both parasites that feed on your pets blood and can discomfort and cause serious health problems.
Flea bites may go unnoticed on some pets, cause slight irritation in others and produce extensive itching, red lesions, hair loss and even ulcers in those animals with flea allergy dermatitis, which is the result of extreme sensitivity to flea saliva. Severe flea infestations can cause anemia, especially in kittens. Fleas can also transmit several diseases, as well as tapeworm.

Ticks are “vectors” or carriers of a number of diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which can sometimes be transmitted to humans.