What Are Companion Parasites

Parasites can manipulate hosts in many different ways. In the article “Suicide Grasshoppers Brainwashed by Parasite Worms,” James Owen describes the relationship between parasite hairworms and grasshoppers. These parasitic worms find a host, such as a grasshopper, and enter the body. After entering the host, the worms cause the grasshoppers to commit suicide by jumping into the water. This article explains how parasites cause grasshoppers to commit suicide, how the parasites enter and exit the host, and how scientists use this information to create a better understanding in research about parasitical behaviors.

A. There are some common illnesses that can be detrimental if acquired by your pet.

Small birds and mammals because they forage for seeds. A tiny amount of the parasite needs to be ingest to begin causing problems and it can be found in raccoon feces.

Animal or zoophilic infections are usually periodic and restricted to the areas where the host animal is found. Microsporum canis, the cat and dog ringworm, is the commonest of the zoophilic infections worldwide and spread occurs directly from an infected animal and, probably, from contaminated furniture, floors and carpets in the home environment. I contrast, Anthropophilic dermatophytes are more common in the community. In some cases there is evidence to support the existence of localized epidemics of

Heartworm disease in cats is different from heartworm disease in dogs. Unlike the dog, the cat is not a natural host for heartworms. Because of this, very few heartworm larvae make it to adulthood in a cat’s body. In dogs, invading worms know exactly how to find their

The article seemed to imply that the parasite naturally occurs within the feline population. The article does not mention

Tapeworms, specifically Echincoccus Granulosus, are commonly found in the gray wolf. So often, that a 14 to 72 percent infection rate is normal. In order for this parasite to complete it's lifecycle, it needs wild cervids such as deer and elk. In return, the wolf consumes these cervids and takes on the parasite. Since wolves are biological dispersers, these tapeworms are very common in the areas wolves roam.

Canine Heartworm Disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by the parasite Dirofilaria Immitis. The disease can infect over 30 species, including humans, however dogs are the definitive host.

When you are seeking medical information regarding your pets, you want to make sure that you are getting the most up-to-date and credible input. Healthcare management and prevention for pets is evolving in the same fast-paced way as it is for humans. It is hard to keep up with new treatments and medications.

Heartworm disease can be fatal to your furry friend if it is left untreated. Foot-long worms are found living in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. These worms can cause severe damage in organs as well as cause lung disease and heart failure. This disease has been found to affect dogs, cats, ferrets, wolves, coyotes, foxes, and sea lions. Which the information I learned from my research, I will be discussing the history of heartworm, what causes it, the symptoms and clinical signs, how to diagnose it, the treatment need, as well as preventing it.

Heartworms: These pet parasites have the potential to be fatal if the problem isn’t identified early on. During your visit, the vet can also give you a prescription for heartworm protection medication.

Coyote and Flea: This relationship is parasitism because the flea is a parasite on the coyote. Parasitism is where one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. In this case, the flea benefits by drinking the coyote’s blood. However, the coyote is losing blood which makes it uncomfortable and the coyote has the potential to get a disease.

From WebMD:http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heartworm-in-dogs-facts-and-myths “Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states. And the bite of just one mosquito infected with the heartworm larvae will give your dog heartworm disease.

Worms are an intestinal parasite that are very common in dogs. The most five common are heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm. One of the main ways dogs contract worms is by ingesting the faeces of an infected animal. Some worm eggs can remain dormant in your dog for years, and be activated in times of stress and pregnancy. Puppies can also contract worms though an infected mothers milk.

     Transmission of the parasite can occur in several different ways. Direct transmission can occur by handling infected animal or human feces. One quarter of reported direct transmission infections occurred by direct contact with feces, while the rest were reported to have happened by person to person contact (Donnelly & Stentiford, 1997).