Zoonotic Threat – Roundworms and Hookworms
Posted on 2009 under Cat Worms, Fleas, Parasites, Dog Worms, Fleas, Parasites | No Comment3 Aug
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A zoonosis is any disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. While pet owners may be well informed about certain zoonotic diseases such as rabies, their knowledge of other zoonotic risks such as roundworm and hookworm infection may be minimal.
Roundworms and hookworms of dogs and cats have the potential to cause disease in humans. Children may be more at risk of contamination because of their play habits and weak immune system. People can acquire hookworms and roundworms from pets by having contact with soil and sand contaminated by the feces of infected dogs and cats. Children may also inadvertently orally ingest contaminated dirt.
Hookworm larva penetrates the skin of human hosts and can cause a syndrome known as cutaneous larva migrans or ‘creeping eruption.’ť This results in the development of progressive linear lesions that erupt on the skin. Hint: Don’t walk outside barefoot!
Roundworm infections in humans can often be asymptomatic. However, in some cases, larva can invade the eye of an infected person and leave the patient partially or totally blind in one eye. This is referred to as visceral larva migrans syndrome.
Puppies and kittens often have a high occurrence of roundworm infection at birth because they acquire larvae which has been transferred by the mother either while still in the uterus or via milk.
A recent national survery of shelter dogs found that 36% of those sampled were infected with either roundworms, hookworms, or both. Combine that with the fact that more than half of American households own pets and you have the potential for widespread environmental contamination.
To help reduce environmental contamination, pet owners are encouraged to follow their veterinarian’s recommendations and have their puppies and kittens wormed on a regular schedule. Preventative treatments in puppies and kittens must be initiated shortly after birth.
Children should be encouraged to wash their hands after playing with puppies and kittens. Proper sanitary measures should also be taken into consideration when allowing children to play in public areas where dogs and cats also have free access to roam. Sandboxes are often an attraction to stray dogs and cats for deposition of feces.
Adult cats and dogs should have tests done yearly on fecal samples to check for infestation. Heartworm prevention should also be given year-round as most also work effectively to protect pets against roundworm and hookworm infestation.
It is thought that there are many occurences of human hookworm and roundworm infestation in the United States that have gone undiagnosed simply because of lack of awareness in the human medical profession.
Until the population at large becomes more aware of the potential threat, veterinary professionals will continue to educate pet owners as best they can.
So the next time you receive a reminder to have your pet’s fecal checked, be sure to follow through with your vet’s recommendations. This is their subtle way of demonstrating that they have the knowledge and services to protect the health of your pets as well as the health of you and your family members.
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