It is not any fun dealing with heartworms and other parasites in your schnauzer, so it is very important to take preventive steps.
Heart worm, fleas and other parasites in dogs need to be eliminated by giving the appropriate medications. Many products have come up in the commercial fields to protect the dogs from heart worms, fleas and other parasites like hook worms, whip worms, round worms, lice, ticks etc.
Among the heart worm, fleas and other parasites, the fleas produce the hyper sensitive reactions in the affected animals. Hence, the animals infested with fleas start severely scratching of body. Many times, the scratching is so severe and the skin becomes more hyperemic and dermatitis occurs in the affected areas.
Animal will not lie down or sleep comfortably due to the constant bites by the fleas. Hence, animal looks as if affected by some severe skin disease. If the animal is not properly attended for this tick bite problem, there will be often secondary bacterial invasions in these sites and there may even be a bad smell emanating from the skin areas.
Close observation of the dog is highly essential to rule out the occurrence of fleas disturbing the animal to a greater extent. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be tested for the presence of ticks, lice etc. For this, the hair materials need to be separated and the close observation with patience is required for the proper diagnosis.
In many incidences, if anemia is present, blood protozoa need to be ruled out in addition to the hookworm problems. The clinical problems like anemia, loose stools, pot belly etc. might be recognized by the dog owners themselves and however, the dog needs to undergo the routine health related veterinary examination involving fecal examination, hematological examination and blood smear examination.
Drugs like ivermectin are highly useful for prevention and treatment. Products like Heartgard or Iverhart are once a month chewables that can really help. You will will need an annual test to ensure that the preventive treatment has worked.
