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INTERNAL
PARASITES
Dogs and cats can become
hosts to many intestinal parasites and a few general statements apply to all
parasitic infections:
- All deworming medicines
are poisonous to some extent and should only be used as needed and under
proper conditions.
- At this time there is no one dewormer
that can eliminate all species of parasites. Consequently an accurate diagnosis is
necessary to treat your pet properly.
- Diagnosis is usually made from a fresh stool sample
(passed less than 12 hours) or, in the case of tapeworms, seeing the
segments in the stool.
- Most puppies and kittens are infected before
birth and, for this reason, will need deworming
starting at 6 weeks of age. If hookworms are suspected, stools should be
checked starting as early as 2-3 weeks.
- Occasionally, for a heavy parasitic infection, 3
or even 4 treatments may be necessary to eliminate the parasite.
How do these worms infect people?
Dogs and cats infected with
these worms contaminate their surroundings by passing eggs or larvae in their
feces (bowel movement). Because pets will pass feces anywhere, they may
contaminate a large area quickly. These eggs and larvae are resilient and can
survive in areas such as parks, playgrounds and yards. Even inside houses.
People get roundworms and
hookworms infections through direct contact with infected feces. This usually
happens by chance ingestion of contaminated soil, sand or plant life.
Hookworm larvae penetrate the
skin. Children are more vulnerable to infection than adults, perhaps because
they play on the ground with dirt that may be contaminated. Maybe it’s because
kids are more likely to put dirty objects into their mouths. They also let dogs
lick them. Some children pass through a stage in which they eat dirt (pica).
Thus they are more prone to get these infections.
ROUNDWORMS
This is a common worm of
puppies and kittens, but can be seen in any age dog or cat. Diagnosis is made
from a microscopic examination of the feces. Treatment is an oral medication
given in several doses. Symptoms will vary from none to marked vomiting and
diarrhea, and abdominal swelling.
Transmission to adult dogs
and cats occurs by infected feces contaminating the yard. As a result,
prevention is accomplished by isolating your pet from infected feces of other
animals. For dogs, the heartworm preventives also prevent roundworm infection.
Transmission to humans is
rare. Roundworms enter the body when ingested as eggs that soon hatch into
larvae. These larvae travel through the liver, lungs and other organs. In most
cases, these “wandering worms” cause no symptoms or apparent damage. However,
in some cases they produce a condition known as “visceral larval migrans.” The larvae may cause damage to the tissue and
sometimes affect the nerves or even lodge in the eye. In some cases, they may
cause permanent nerve or eye damage, even blindness.
HOOKWORMS
This is also a common worm of
puppies and kittens but is seen with equal frequency in adults. This parasite
sucks your pet’s blood and can cause severe anemia. Diagnosis is made from a
microscopic examination of your pet’s stool. Treatment is an oral medication
given in several doses. Symptoms will
vary from none to blood in the stool (dark tar-colored stool) with diarrhea.
Severe cases may need a transfusion and hospitalization. Transmission to adults occurs by infected
feces contaminating the grass or soil. Prevention, therefore, requires that the
pet be kept away from contaminated areas. Heartworm preventive can also prevent
hookworm infections in dogs.
Transmission to humans is
uncommon. Hookworm larvae typically move about within the skin, causing
inflammation in the affected skin. This is called cutaneous (skin) larva migrans. One type of
hookworm can penetrate into deeper tissues and cause more serious damage to the
intestines and other organs.
WHIPWORMS
This worm affects dogs only.
Diagnosis is also made from a microscopic exam of the feces. Eggs from this
parasite pass intermittently, however, so it may be necessary to check multiple
fecals before a diagnosis is made. Treatment is an oral
medication given for several treatments depending on the severity of the
infection. Symptoms vary from none to a
severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, and marked weight loss. Some dogs require
hospitalization for treatment of dehydration, malnutrition, and infection.
There is no human transmission.
TAPEWORMS
This common worm affects
both dogs and cats. Transmission occurs when your dog or cat bites and “eats” a
flea. The intermediate form of the tapeworm is inside the flea’s body and it
then attaches to the intestine and begins to grow “segments”. In about 3 weeks,
these segments begin to pass in the stool. They are approximately ¼ to ½ inch
long, flat, and white. After a short time in the air, they dry up to resemble a
small yellow flat seed. Diagnosis is
made from seeing these segments on the stool or on the pet’s back end rather
than a microscopic fecal exam. Treatment is either by oral tablets or by an
injection. The tapeworm infection kills existing tapeworms but it does not
prevent future infection. The only prevention is strict flea control. There is
no direct transmission from dog or cat to a human.
GIARDIA
This parasite is not a
worm. It is a very tiny single-celled parasite that can live in the intestines
of dogs, cats, and man. It is most
commonly seen in dogs coming out of kennel-type situations (pet stores,
shelters, dog pounds, etc.) but its incidence is increasing. Symptoms include
intermittent or continuous diarrhea, weight loss, depression, and loss of
appetite. Diagnosis is made from a very fresh fecal specimen that must be
collected at the clinic for optimum results. A surprising number of affected
animals are “occult”; that is, they are infected but are negative on these
tests even with multiple examinations. As a result, this parasite is often
treated without a confirming diagnosis. Treatment is an oral medication
administered at home. Prevention involves careful disposal of all fecal
material and cleaning contaminated areas. Humans can become infected with Giardia so special care must be taken to wash hands and
utensils.
There is a new Giardia vaccine available now as well.
COCCIDIA
This is also a single-celled
parasite. It is seen primarily in puppies and kittens, although debilitated
adults can also be affected. Transmission occurs by eating the infective stage
of the parasite. It then reproduces in the intestinal tract causing no symptoms
in mild cases to bloody diarrhea in severely affected pets. Diagnosis is made
from a fresh stool sample. Treatment varies greatly. Animals showing no signs
of illness are often not treated because a mild case is often self-limiting.
Pets with diarrhea are treated at home with an oral medication. Severely
affected pets may need hospitalization. Prevention involves disposal of all
stools and cleaning the pet’s living area. Human transmission is uncommon but
can occur.
If your pet has been diagnosed with one or more of the intestinal parasites listed above,
please follow the safety precautions listed below.
1. Pick up your pet’s bowel movement and dispose of them.
2. Bathe your pet once a week while they are being treated, this may help prevent re-infection from grooming.
3. Do not let your pet lick you or your children, especially in the face.
4. Wash your hands after playing with your pet.
5. Give your pet’s worming medication as indicated by your veterinarian.