Worm infection from pets at home can potentially lead to serious health risks both for animals and humans.

Many people do not realise that some parasitic worms can cause disease in humans – the so called ‘zoonotic diseases’ – and cats and dogs can pick up worms from just about anywhere in their normal environment, especially the garden, the park and the countryside.

They don’t even have to roll around in the grass to pick them up, just snuffling in the grass or licking their feet clean after a walk can do it.

In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the potential for animals to transmit diseases to humans, with worm-related problems being high on the list of zoonotic diseases.

Of these, Human Toxocariasis and Human Hydatid Disease are perhaps the best-known.

“Pets are human companions and the part they play as they accompany us through life is growing in significance,” said Sabrina Stroud, a dog worming expert with a leading animal health company.

“Keeping this close relationship healthy is not just an obligation to our animal companions. It also protects people from the transmission of disease pathogens. And to that end, we are constantly developing new products and forms of administration.”

Human Toxocariasis is divided into three syndromes: Ocular Larva Migrans, Visceral Larva Migrans and Covert Toxocariasis and may give rise to signs such as visual impairment, coughing, hepatomegaly and fever.

Previously it was thought that Human Toxocariasis was contracted via the ingestion of worm eggs from contaminated soil. Recently a study has been published which demonstrates that direct contact with worm eggs in the coat of dogs may be responsible for causing toxocariasis in man *.

Human Hydatid Disease is due to the presence of hydatid cysts in a human, and these may be found in the liver, lungs and other sites within the body.

Common types of worms found in the UK include roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms and, in particular at this time of year, hookworms.

Uncinaria stenocephala, or Northern Hookworm to give it its common name, is found in the small intestine. In heavily infested pups it can have some nasty results, such as diarrhoea, anorexia and lethargy.

There is a sharp rise at this time of year as the maturation of the larvae is temperature-dependent. This worm is primarily a problem in kennels, and the usual route of infection is by mouth.

There is evidence to show that 62 per cent of foxes in the UK and 92 per cent of foxes in Ireland are infected with Uncinaria stenocephala. Therefore a country walk or even being in the garden can carry the risk of infection to pets.

The majority of puppies contract some form of internal parasite either before or shortly afterbirth. Although this may sound repulsive to you, it’s a normal part of being a dog. There is no need to be excessively concerned, provided you have your puppy checked and treated promptly. Left untreated, intestinal parasites can cause serious harm.

Therefore, it’s essential to bring along a small, fresh sample of your puppy’s stool when you make your first veterinary visit. When the stool is dissolved, eggs or parasites from this sample will be clearly visible under a microscope. Do not assume your puppy has no intestinal parasites simply because no worms have shown up in the stool.

Adult worms often live exclusively within the intestinal tract; the tiny eggs they release serve as the only clue to their existence. Furthermore, other internal parasites, even as mature organisms, never reach a size visible to the naked eye. Let your veterinarian discover which type, it any, of these parasites inhabits your puppy’s system and treat it accordingly.

Regular worming protects the health of your pet, your family and the public

All animals (including humans) can carry worms at some stage in their lives. These worms are often very small, making it difficult to determine whether your pet is infected.

Most such parasites are closely adapted to their host and in moderate numbers usually cause few visible effects although the damage they cause produces harmful localised injury (i.e. damage to the gut).

The adverse effect of worms is generally greatest in younger animals, however, the major health problems that worms can cause normally result from the worm getting into the wrong host (e.g. a child) where severe consequences can sometimes occur (such as blindness).

Dogs and cats naturally carry two major types of worms – roundworms and tapeworms. Some have complex life histories and may infest more than one type of animal in their life cycle. A good example of this is the flea tapeworm. Here the maggot-like flea immature stage eats the eggs produced by the tapeworm. The egg hatches within the flea and develops in a dog or cat’s intestine when the flea is swallowed during grooming. It is possible that young children can catch this tapeworm from accidentally eating fleas originating on a pet.

Roundworms
The large roundworms of dogs and cats produce thousands of eggs and are commonly seen in puppies. Ingestion of these eggs releases the immature worm, which leaves the gut and migrates around the body of the animal eventually ending up in the intestine, where they develop into egg laying mature adult worms. In older animals they usually stop migrating and become stuck in tissues as cysts where they do little harm. In pregnant bitches these dormant stages re-activate and migrate to the mothers intestine, the milk glands and also directly into the puppies in the womb.

Tapeworms
All tapeworms are caught by a pet following the ingestion of raw animal flesh (e.g. mice or birds) containing tapeworm cysts.

One tapeworm of dogs found in sheep rearing areas of the UK is of particular concern. The worm lays eggs that, when eaten from contaminated pasture, develop into large cysts in sheep (hydatid disease). If a human accidentally eats one of these eggs then a similar cyst can develop in the liver or lungs, requiring extensive surgery and (very rarely) proving fatal.

Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Fortunately there is plenty one can do to eliminate the risk of worms…

Remember to dispose of dog faeces safely, cover sand pits when not in use (to prevent cats using them as litter trays), and keep control of your dog in the countryside.

Most importantly, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends that pets be wormed four times a year.

Animal diseases that can affect humans are called zoonoses. There are several dog diseases that may cause disease in your child; here we will look at three "worms" that can spread from dog to human.

Intestinal Worms are a very common parasite of dogs, and can make your dog very unwell. Treating your dog regularly with an appropriate worming medication will help prevent them from becoming a problem in your dog.

It's a much larger problem if dog worms have infected your child. Every year thousands of blood tests are performed to check if a child is infected with worms from their dog.

The parasites that may affect your child in the UK are tapeworms and roundworms. In the US, hookworms are more of a problem.

There are four ways dogs can become infected with hookworms. They may inadvertently eat hookworm larvae, or the larvae penetrate the skin and enter the body that way. Puppies can be infected in the uterus, or by drinking mother's milk containing larvae.

The adult worms attach to the lining of the small intestine and drink blood. An affected dog will have pale gums, black sticky diarrhea and will be quite lethargic because of blood loss.

Adult hookworms do not infect humans, but larvae in the ground may burrow through the skin. They then migrate under the skin, causing red itchy rashes which may become infected. Rarely, it can cause gastrointestinal illness in people.

Canine roundworms are much more dangerous in humans.

This worm again lives in a dog's small intestine, and causes diarrhea, a pot belly and, if there are enough of them, they can block the intestine.

Humans are infected when they inadvertently eat roundworm eggs in the environment. Because young children are usually attracted to dogs, and often put their fingers in their mouths, they are at most risk of getting roundworms.

In most cases, the worms cause no problem to people. However, there is the possibility that roundworm larvae will migrate through the body, particularly through the eye and the brain. The damage they cause is often permanent.

There are three main ways of preventing your children becoming infected with dog worms. Firstly, treat your dog regularly with an effective worming medication to prevent your garden becoming infected with eggs or larvae. Secondly, teach your child proper hygiene around dogs – wash their hands after patting the family pet and encourage them to keep their hands out of their mouths. Lastly, clean up feces around the yard, as they'll be a source of infection.

Ringworm isn't in fact a worm at all, it is a fungal infection. It gets it's name because it often causes a hairless round patch on the skin of both dogs and people, which can be red and itchy. The infected patch heals from the middle outwards, so it looks like a red ring on the skin.

In some cases, dogs can have ringworm without showing any skin changes. Also, the fungal spores live a long time in the environment. Spread is through contacting the spores, either through patting an infected dog, or handling bedding or grooming tools such as brushes.

Depending on the severity, you and your dog will be treated with an ointment, or with tablets. Because an infected dog is constantly shedding spores, you have to be persistent to completely eliminate the infection. Fortunately, ringworm is usually not a severe condition, and is easily treated.

Teaching your child good hygiene will help prevent infection with these worms, and keep your child healthy.

Get more great information on all things dog related and sign up for our free weekly dog training e-course at http://www.trainingadogblog.com ]]> http://www.dogworms.co.uk/dog-worms-and-children/feed/ 0 http://www.dogworms.co.uk/paws-for-fun-and-primp-your-pooch-with-plerion/ http://www.dogworms.co.uk/paws-for-fun-and-primp-your-pooch-with-plerion/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 09:28:38 +0000 Dog Worms Online Editor http://www.dogworms.co.uk/?p=120 Not content with disguising a worming tablet as a treat – the manufacturers of Plerion are now giving you the chance to disguise your dog as a rock star – and bag yourself a spa holiday or some M&S vouchers in the process! Owners of willful dogs should read on…

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Vet Dane Walker from Streatham Hill veterinary surgery in south-west London says: “Most dog owners are unaware of the condition because it is new. Most vets including myself have not been taught about it.” So to rectify this Bayer animal health, makers of the flea treatment Advocate has launched a nationwide campaign to promote lungworm awareness. A Bayer animal health spokesman explains: “The campaign is to raise public awareness of the parasite’s existence. We are running advertisements in the national press, and we have a broadcast campaign featuring celebrity vet Emma Milne from Vets in Practice.”

And the campaign is being backed by Vets from across the UK who are also trying to make owners more aware of the condition. Dane explains: “We are making clients more aware of the condition through leaflets at the surgery and articles on our website.”

Caroline Reay Chief veterinary surgeon at the Blue Cross hospital in Merton adds that the Blue Cross are also trying to raise awareness through displays in the waiting rooms of all Blue Cross hospitals.

So clearly it’s an important issue, but what is a Lungworm? And how does your dog catch it?

There are several variations of the Lungworm parasite, and the majority are found in warmer climates, and are not found in dogs. Different types of the parasite have often been found in farm animals like cattle, and some strains can affect our cats, although this is not common, and those parasites cannot be passed to dogs.

But one parasite does affect our dogs, and it’s this one that’s causing all the concern.

The parasite cannot be passed to humans or to other pets in the house, but the spokesman for Bayer Animal health explains: “The lungworm Angiostrongylus Vasorum is a potentially lethal parasite that can infect dogs. It’s sometimes referred to as the French Heartworm, and left untreated this parasite represents a very serious risk to a dog’s health and can kill.”

He continues: “Dogs become infected with the lungworm through eating slugs and snails which carry the larvae of the parasite Angiostrongylus Vasorum. Most dogs do not habitually eat these garden intruders, they may do so by accident – e.g. when a slug or snail is sitting on a bone or a favourite toy, or when drinking from a puddle or outdoor water bowl. But some dogs do take great pleasure in eating these miniature ‘treats’, and should be considered at risk from infection.”

Animal care manager at the Mayhew animal home, a London based charity and re-homing centre, Gillian Scott adds: “Lungworm is caught via contact with animals that host the parasite. It can also typically be caught from fox faeces as well as from snail or slug slime.”

But Caroline Reay from the Blue cross adds that while it is suspected that the parasite can be caught from the molluscs’ slime this theory is, as yet unproven.

If you suspect your dog of having worms but don’t find any evidence in the faeces this does NOT mean that your dog is worm free. Dogs do not always pass worms until they have been well treated. If you are slightly concerned with the prospect of your dog having worms then you must treat it immediately. It is quite common for people to suspect their dog of having worms and yet fail to treat the animal as they believe that the dog is only meant to wormed at a specific date and then wait until that date before worming.

You can not harm a dog by worming it more than twice a year. You must be aware of not worming too much within a short space of time between wormings and even more so with pups but it is not out of the question, in theory, to worm a dog more than 6 times a year if that dog is prone to picking up worms. There are many different worming treatments available. Some are for specifically for the treatment of round worm and others are multi-wormers. It must be noted that dogs can pick up worms other than round and tape but these are rarer.

You will usually find that if your dog still appears to be infested after a good treatment with a quality worming product that your dog may have one of the other forms of worm and vetinary advice should be sought.

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As the name suggests, an infected mosquito injects a larva into the dog’s skin, where it migrates to the circulatory system and takes up residence in the pulmonary arteries and heart, growing and reproducing to an alarming degree. The effects on the dog are quite predictable, cardiac failure over a year or two, leading to death. Treatment of an infected dog is difficult, involving an attempt to poison the healthy worm with arsenic compounds without killing the weakened dog, and frequently does not succeed. Prevention is much the better course, via heartworm pills which are fed to the dog and contain a compound which kills the larvae immediately upon infection without harming the dog. Often they are available combined with other parasite preventives.

* Hydatidosis is caused by a cestode Echinococcus. This is usually noticed among dogs, wild dogs, foxes, etc. Due to its importance as a zoonosis, these worms are important to treat. Preventing hydatidosis is an easier task than treating the same. Anthelmintics such as praziquantel may help prevent this condition. Prohibition of the feeding of dogs with uncooked offals may be the best prophylactic measure against these tapeworms.

One thing that no pet owner wants to think about is the nasty subject of parasites – or even worse, your pet passing on a parasite to your child. Because of their diet and inclination to eat things they find, dogs are a lot more succesptible to picking up parasites such as worms. This is why responsible pet owners give their dogs a worming treatment. A dog’s health and happiness will be severely compromised if he picks up worms and the ramifications of parasites being transmitted to members of the family are extremely unpleasant.

It is uncommon, but it is not unheard of for a dog to transmit a parasite to a member of the family. With proper precautions, this can be avoided.

What are parasites?

Parasites are organisms that live on a ‘host’. They attach themselves to a host either externally (fleas, ticks) or internally (worms) and feed off the host either by intercepting food inside the body or by sucking blood. Parasites can move from host to host, causing illness, weight loss, sight loss and in extreme cases, fatality. In domestic pets such as cats and dogs, worms are the biggest concern.

What are parasitic worms?

Parasitic worms live inside of their host, normally in the digestive or respiratory system. Common parasit worms in dogs include tape worm, ring worm, round worm, whip worm and heart worm. Each are different physically and have differing effects on their host. They are normally picked up through spoiled or uncooked meat, faeces, carcasses or by contact with other animals carrying parasites.

How do you know if your dogs has worms?

• Weight loss
• Dull coat
• Worms in the stool
• ‘Scooting’ or other signs of discomfort around the back passage

Unfortunately, children can pick up parasites. Children can get infected when your pet dog licks their faces and transfers the larvae through the mouth or even in the pores of their skin. Children and dogs are often inseparable and sometimes the contact may be too close.

Fleas can also get into their fingernails and travel all the way around and all throughout their bodies. The worse thing is, sometimes, you can’t find any symptoms that are identifiable to the naked eye.

Look out for signs of itchiness, irritation, weight loss, and general malaise in your children and always ensure that your pet is treated for parasites.

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Kids are affectionate and love to cuddle and play with the family pet. This close contact could be all it takes for a parasite to move from your dog to your son or daughter.

So it’s important to make sure that your dog isn’t carrying anything that can be picked up by your children. Parasites are more common in dogs than humans due to the fact that we live fairly clean lives and cook our meat. Dogs will happily eat something from the floor or bin given half a chance. Normally this isn’t a problem, but when they come into contact with spoiled meat or the faeces of other dogs (which always causes curiosity in dogs) – the risks of parasitic infestation becomes higher.

However, by preventing parasitic infestation in your dog you are not only protecting him, but you are protecting your family too, especially your children.

How do I protect against parasites?

• By giving your dog a worming treatment, especially if he’s a puppy
• By keeping worming treatments up to date
• By being vigilant and knowing the signs of infestation
• By keeping your pet and your home clean
• By giving your dog an anti flea treatment

Protecting against parasites is a part of any responsible pet owners routine. It doesn’t cost a lot and takes hardly any time at all. Most treatments can be mixed in with a dog’s food so he’ll never know that he’s taken his medicine – and the peace of mind from preventing parasites from invading your family is invaluable.

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Here we explain more about these five types of dog worms, the symptoms of dog worms and their life cycle.

Nematode
(Whip worm, round worm and hook worm).

There are over fifteen thousand species of parasitic nematodes. They can be found in
deserts, in the arctic, in oceanic trenches and in your dog.

Life Cycle: Anything up to three years.

Symptoms: Weight loss, dull coat, scooting, diarrhoea, vomiting.

Cause: Lack of prevention, infected food, contact with infected carcasses.

Treatment: Oral treatment or spot on treatment, although prevention is more effective.

Luckily in the UK we are not likely to come into contact with some of the more worrying species of parasitic worm and their primary carriers, the mosquito.

Parasitic organisms in general have quite complex life cycles, migrating between several different hosts or locations in the host’s body, including the intestine, the bowel and the heart. Infection usually occurs against biting insects, particularly if it travels orally, but parasites can enter a host via an open cut in unfortunate circumstances. One of the main problems associated with a nematode infestation is the dramatic weight
loss.

Since the nematode will live inside the small intestine of its host for most of the duration of its stay, it can easily feed on anything your dog eats, meaning that the nutrition is being diverted and the worm subsequently grows and grows. In addition, anaemia is also a symptom of roundworm infection. Some species of roundworm are bloodfeeders, either they attach themselves to the wall of the gut and suck blood or are pool feeders whereby the worm bites into the gut wall, creating a pool of blood which
they then digest.

Of particular significance to pet owners is the risk of zoonoses, or the transmission of worms from animals to humans. Toxocara canis (the dog roundworm) eggs may be passed to humans in dog faeces or through touching a dog’s coat.

Treatment and prevention are fairly simple, in fact responsible pet owners should ensure that they pick up their pets’ faeces and that their dogs have a roundworm control routine. Treatments do not prevent the parasites from entering the body, but they do kill the worms before they reach sexual maturity and before they can do any harm. It is recommended that dogs are wormed at least four times a year, however if your dog is in regular contact with children, you may wish to use a monthly roundworm treatment, either in a tablet or spot on product, to ensure the risk of transmission is reduced.

There are many species of intestinal worms in Europe, but some of them are restricted to warm climates. One particularly nasty example is the heart worm. This parasite uses a mosquito as its primary host. Once the mosquito bites a mammal, the larvae are injected into the blood stream. Once the larvae reach the heart of the secondary host, they begin feeding on blood. They then grow and this is where the health problems begin. A serious infestation of heart worm can be fatal for a dog, as the symptoms are hard to spot and treatment can sometimes fail.

In order to reproduce, the heart worm distributes its eggs into the bloodstream of its host, and then it is a matter of chance. If the host is fed on by another mosquito, it is that mosquito’s next meal that will become infected with the eggs. If that animal is already a host then the eggs will be fertilised and a larger infestation will occur. It is therefore important to ensure that your pet is effectively protected bowel and the heart. Infection usually occurs against biting insects, particularly if it travels with you with its PETS Passport to continental Europe or further afield.

Cestoda
(Tape worm, parasitic flat worm)

Certain tape worms can grow up to 80ft long inside their host, causing potentially fatal
intestinal blockages.

Life Cycle: Up to 3 years

Symptoms: Weight loss, dull coat, scooting, diarrhoea, vomiting.

Cause: Lack of prevention, infected food, contact with infected carcasses, contact with contaminated soil.

Treatment: Oral treatment or spot on treatment, prevention is recommended. The symptoms and treatment of this type of parasite are very similar to that of the nematode, although the Cestoda have a different adult morphology which is more often segmented, meaning that they can break up without dying. They also posses male and female reproductive equipment, meaning that they can breed independently and do not rely on cross infestations to reproduce.

Cestoda
(Tape worm, parasitic flat worm)

Certain tape worms can grow up to 80ft long inside their host, causing potentially fatal intestinal blockages.

Life Cycle: Up to 3 years

Symptoms: Weight loss, dull coat, scooting, diarrhoea, vomiting.

Cause: Lack of prevention, infected food, contact with infected carcasses, contact with contaminated soil.

Treatment: Oral treatment or spot on treatment, prevention is recommended. The symptoms and treatment of this type of parasite are very similar to that of the nematode, although the Cestoda have a different adult morphology which is more often segmented, meaning that they can break up without dying. They also posses male and female reproductive equipment, meaning that they can breed independently and do not rely on cross infestations to reproduce.

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