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ROUNDWORMS:
Roundworms (ascarids) are the most common intestinal parasite of dogs and cats. Pets become
infected by swallowing roundworm eggs or larvae (immature worms) found in contaminated soil
or feces (stoo1), or by eating commonly infected rodents, birds and certain insects. Puppies
and kittens are commonly infected by the mother while still in the uterus or from her milk.
Swallowed larvae travel through the body to the intestine, where they develop into mature worms.
There, adult females deposit eggs, which pass with the feces and develop into infective larvae.
A diagnosis is made by identifying the eggs during microscopic examination of a fecal sample.
Human infection with roundworm larvae is possible but does not occur frequently if good hygiene
is practiced, since eating contaminated feces or soil is necessary for infection. Children
should be taught the importance of cleanliness when playing with animals, especially litters
of puppies and kittens. The best insurance against human infection is keeping your pet free
from roundworms by regular fecal examination and treatment if necessary. Prophylactic worming
of all kittens and puppies is recommended due to this public health concern.
GOOD SANITATION IS ESSENTIAL: All feces should be removed promptly from area where your
pet is confined. Eggs can remain viable in soil for years, so contaminated ground becomes
a source of reinfection. This is especially true of dog pens, runs or areas where your
pet may be tied. Control measures for these areas include:
- Turning the soil over to a depth of 8-12 inches after your pet is free of worms.
- Replacing dirt runs with concrete (this seems to be the most effective control procedure).
- Removing feces daily.
- Moving your pet to a new uncontaminated area.
It is recommended to examine a fecal sample annually when your pet is in for its
physical examination to prevent reinfection .
TAPEWORM INFECTION:
The tapeworm is a parasite found in the intestines of dogs and cats. It consists of
a head and a long flat body made up of segments. Segments are passed in the animal's
feces (stool) at variable times, leaving the head still attached to the animal's
intestinal lining to produce new segments.
Tapeworm infection may not cause noticeable illness in your pet, or it may produce
digestive upsets, poor appetite, poor hair coat and skin, weight loss and vague signs
of abdominal discomfort.
Tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed by finding the segments in your pet's feces,
in its bed, or clinging to the hair around the anus. Microscopic examination of feces
is not always a reliable method of diagnosing tapeworms, as the eggs MAY NOT be present
in the feces. When first passed, segments are yellowish to white, about 1/4 inch long,
and may expand and contract. When dry, the segments resemble sesame seeds or grains of
rice.
Tapeworms are not passed directly from pet to pet, but require an intermediate host
in which to develop. Common intermediate hosts are fleas, and small animals such as
mice, squirrels and rabbits.
Treatment will destroy the tapeworms already infecting your pet. Reinfection is controlled
by eliminating or reducing contact with intermediate hosts. Since the flea carried tapeworm
is by far the most common tapeworm we encounter, flea control needs to be done on your
pet(s) and in your home and yard to try and prevent reinfection.
GIARDIASIS:
Giardia is a single-cell organism(protozoa) that can infect the intestinal tract of
people and most types of domesticated animals. Infection can occur when contaminated
feces, food, or water is ingested.
The most common clinical sign of giardiasis is diarrhea. Other signs may include
weight loss, vomiting, and unthriftiness. A diagnosis is made by identifying the
organism during a microscopic examination of the feces (stool). Diagnosis may be
difficult and sometimes multiple fecal samples may need to be examined using
specialized staining techniques.
Several drugs have been used to treat Giardia infections in dogs and cats because
the organism can be difficult to eliminate.
Once treatment is finished, it is recommended to recheck a fecal sample two weeks
later to ensure the parasite has been removed.
To prevent reinfection by Giardia it is important to do environmental control
All feces should be removed and properly disposed of, and contaminated cages,
crates, yards, and runs should be cleaned thoroughly. Since Giardia is a relatively
common intestinal parasite of people, good personal hygiene should be practiced in
homes where giardiasis has been diagnosed in your pet. Children should not handle
the pet's feces and good environmental sanitation is imperative.
COCCIDIOSIS:
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract caused by a small organism
(protozoa) visible only with the aid of a microscope. The disease generally spreads
from one animal to another by contact with feces (stool) from infected animals. The
most common clinical sign is diarrhea and younger or weakened animals are most
adversely affected. Malnutrition also has a role in enhancing the severity of the
disease. A diagnosis of coccidiosis is made by identifying the parasite during
microscopic examination of the feces.
Therapy for coccidiosis consists of administering antibiotics and correcting other
underlying problems, e.g. malnutrition or a contaminated environment. A high quality
balanced diet should be provided, and infected animal(s) should be separated from
non-infected ones. All bedding, food and water dishes, etc. should be kept clean
and feces should be removed daily.
Once treatment is finished, it is recommended to recheck a fecal sample to ensure
that the parasite has been eliminated.
WHIPWORMS:
Whipworms ('llichuris vulpis) are intestinal parasites of dogs. Infected dogs pass
whipworm eggs in their feces (stool). Other dogs become infected when they ingest
these eggs. After they are swallowed, the eggs pass to the intestine where they hatch
into larvae that develop into adults. The adults then lay eggs, which are passed in the
animal's feces. Several months may elapse before this cycle is completed.
Whipworms attach to the wall of the gut and suck blood for nourishment. This causes
inflammation and irritation of the gut and results in diarrhea. If the infection is
mild, there may be no obvious signs. In more serious cases, signs may include weight
loss, diarrhea with blood or mucus, and possibly anemia (a harmful decrease in the
total number of red blood cells or in the hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying protein the
red blood cells contain).
A microscopic examination of a fresh fecal sample is performed to detect whipworm eggs.
Therapy consists of administration of an appropriate deworming medication that kills
the worms.
Whipworm eggs are very durable and resist prolonged freezing. They can remain viable in
the environment for years. They are virtually impossible to remove with chemicals. The
key to control is effective disposal of feces. Feces should be removed from the yard or
run and disposed of elsewhere. This is especially important after deworming medications
have been given. Fecal samples should be examined one month after the animal has been
dewormed and then at three and six months to make sure infection has not recurred.
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