Fleas
The most common parasite to dogs everywhere is fleas. Chances are if you have a dog, at some time or another you will have fleas. However recent advances in veterinary medicine have yielded great results in the battle against fleas. These products may seem like quite an expense at first, but it is well worth the investment. Fleas are a small black pests that bite your dog and cause him to itch and scratch at himself. Fleas can get on your dog anywhere, on walks to potty, trips to the vet or pet store, etc. Fleas are also responsible for tapeworms. Many older products do not work well, such as flea collars. Some of the better products to control fleas contain one of the following:
Imidacloprid:(like Advantage) This is a liquid that is applied on the dogs neck. This kills 98% of fleas in the first 24 hours and continues to work for a month. It is water resistant, but not after excessive water exposure.
Fipronil:(like Frontline, Frontline Plus)This comes in a spray for all over the dog use or a liquid that is applied at the neck. It is effective on killing fleas for up to three months and kills ticks for up to a month.
Lufenuron:(like Program)This is a pill that is given to the dog once a month. The fleas that bite the dog ingest the drug and become sterile therefore breaking the cycle. This is very safe, but ALL dogs in the environment MUST be treated for this to be effective.
Pyrethrins:(in most OTC flea control)This is effective for killing fleas, but has almost no effect a day after it is applied.

Ticks
Dogs can get ticks when they have been out in the yard or out in the woods. Ticks like to burrow around the ears, neck, chest and toes. It is important to check for ticks often as they can transmit several different diseases. To remove the tick use a tissue or tweezers to pull the tick from the dog. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible to prevent leaving the head in the dog. As soon as you remove the tick put alcohol on the site. A bump will usually remain for several days after you remove the tick. Fipronil is the best preventive for ticks.

Ear Mites
Ear mites wreck havoc in chi's big ears. Signs of mites include scratching at the ears, shaking of the head, and holding the head sideways. The biggest sign of ear mites is a dark, dry wax in both ears. To treat a dog with mites, go to your vet to get a quality medicine. Separate the dog from any other in your home as they are very contagious. Wash your hands after handling a dog with mites. As a precaution, all dogs in the house should be treated. Also, mites can be carried in the fur so you will want to bathe the dog in shampoo or spray with pyrethrin.

Worms

The best cure for any type of worm is one that you get from the vet. Be sure to take a stool sample with each vet visit so that it can be examined for worm eggs. A fecal exam should be preformed at least twice a year.

Roundworm
Roundworms are cylindrical worms that may reach 4-5 inches. Most pups have roundworms when they are born or get them through their mothers milk. If the infection is severe, it can be spread to humans.

Tapeworm
Dogs get tapeworms from ingesting an infected flea. Tapeworms look like tiny worm segments, pink or white, and flat. Once they dry out, they look like little grains of rice.

Hookworm
Signs of hookworms include bloody, dark or tarry diarrhea. Your dog can also become anemic and heavy infestation can lead to death. Adult dogs usually build up a resistance to hookworms.

Whipworms
Whipworms are found in the large intestine. Signs include diarrhea, anemia and weight loss. Dogs do not develop immunity to this worm and in order to get rid of them, the dog has to be wormed several times over the course of a year.

Heartworms
If you live in an area where mosquitoes are present, you should have your dog on a heartworm preventative. Dogs get heartworms by being bitten by a mosquito that is carrying the larva. Once bitten, the larva develops into a worm 6-12 long that takes up residence in the heart. Signs of heartworm include coughing, tiring easily, weight loss and difficulty breathing.