What You Should Know About Internal Parasites in Cats and Dogs
December 2006
Most internal parasites are worms and single-celled organisms
that can exist in the intestines of dogs or cats. The most common worms
are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Common single-cell
parasites are coccidia and Giardia.
What are roundworms and how are they spread?
Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite in dogs and cats
in the world. Animals with roundworms pass the infection to other
animals when the worm eggs develop into larvae and are present in the
animal's feces (droppings). Your pet can pick up the infection by
eating infected soil, licking contaminated fur or paws, or by drinking
contaminated water.
Infected female dogs may pass the infection to their puppies before
birth or afterwards when they are nursing. Infected female cats cannot
infect their kittens before birth, but can pass on the infection
through their milk when kittens are nursing.
What are the health risks to pets and people?
Puppies and kittens are the most prone to roundworm infection.
Because roundworms live in the small intestine, they steal the
nutrients from the food your pet eats and that can lead to malnutrition
and intestinal problems. As the larvae move through your pet's body,
young animals may develop serious respiratory problems such as
pneumonia.
Roundworm infections are zoonotic (pronounced zoe-oh-NOT-ick)
diseases, meaning that they are animal diseases that can be transmitted
to humans. While direct contact with infected dogs and cats increases a
person's risk for roundworm infection, most infections come from
accidentally eating the worm larvae or from larvae that enter through
the skin. For example, children are at risk for infection if they play
in areas that may contain infected feces (such as dirt piles and
sandboxes), and they pick up the larvae on their hands.
Left untreated, roundworms in people can cause serious health
problems when the larvae enter organs and other tissues, resulting in
lung, brain, or liver damage. If the roundworm larva enters the eyes,
permanent, partial blindness can result.
What are hookworms and how are they spread?
Hookworms are the second most common intestinal parasites found in
dogs, but they are less commonly found in cats. Your pet can become
infected when larvae penetrate the animal's skin or the lining of the
mouth. An infected female dog can pass the infection to her puppies
through her milk, but this does not occur in cats.
What are the health risks to pets and people?
Hookworms are dangerous parasites because they actually bite into
the intestinal lining of an animal and suck blood. As with roundworms,
puppies and kittens are at high risk of infection and developing severe
diseases. Left untreated, hookworm infections can result in potentially
life-threatening blood loss, weakness, and malnutrition.
Like roundworms, hookworm infections are zoonotic, and infections
usually occur by accidentally eating the larvae or by the larvae
entering through the skin. In humans, hookworm infections cause health
problems when the larvae penetrate the skin. The larvae produce severe
itching and tunnel-like, red areas as they move through the skin and,
if accidentally eaten, can cause intestinal problems.
What are whipworms and how are they spread?
These worms get their name from their whip-like shape. Animals with
whipworms pass the infection along to other animals when the worm eggs
develop into larvae and are passed in their feces (droppings). Your pet
can pick up the infection by eating infected soil or licking their
contaminated fur or paws.
What are the health risks to pets and people?
Like hookworms, whipworms bury their heads in the lining of an
animal's intestine and suck blood, but they are generally less harmful
and usually do not cause health problems. Occasionally, severe
infections can develop and lead to diarrhea, weight loss, and blood
loss. Whipworm larvae rarely infect humans when they are accidentally
eaten.
What are tapeworms and how are they spread?
Tapeworms got their name because they are thin and flat, like strips
of tape. Unlike the smooth-bodied roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms,
tapeworms' bodies are actually made up of joined segments. Dogs and
cats become infected with tapeworms when they eat infected fleas or
lice. They can also get certain types of tapeworms by eating infected
rodents.
What are the health risks to pets and people?
Tapeworms live in the small intestine and steal the nutrients from
the food your dog or cat eats. An infection is usually diagnosed when
the eggs sacs are seen under the pet's tail or on its stool. These sacs
look like flattened grains of rice. While there are several dewormers
available that are effective against tapeworms, keeping your pet free
of fleas is the best preventative. Rarely are tapeworms a risk to
people.
How can I prevent/treat worm infections?
Healthy pets may not show outward signs of a worm infection.
However, if you notice a change in your pet's appetite or coat,
diarrhea, or excessive coughing, see your veterinarian. In most cases,
a simple fecal test can detect the presence of worm eggs or adults and,
if present, your veterinarian will recommend a deworming program. A
good way to prevent worm infections is by using one of several monthly
heartworm preventatives available from your veterinarian.
Nursing female dogs and cats and their litters are also major
sources for the spread of infective eggs and larvae. If you have a new
puppy or kitten, or a pregnant pet, consult with your veterinarian
about a deworming program that will reduce your family's risk of
infection.
Worm infections in humans can be easily prevented by practicing good
hygiene and sanitation. Children should be discouraged from eating dirt
and should not be allowed to play in areas that are soiled with pet
feces. Sandboxes should be covered when not in use. Adults and children
should always wash their hands after handling soil and after contact
with pets. Shoes should be worn when outside to protect feet from
larvae present in the environment, and raw vegetables should be
thoroughly washed because they may contain parasites from infected soil.
Dog droppings should be immediately picked up from public areas and
from your yard to reduce the chances of contaminating the soil. Keeping
cats indoors is an effective way to limit their risk of exposure to
roundworms.
Other internal parasites
Coccidia
Coccidia (cok-SID-ee-ah) are single-celled parasites and are
not visible to the naked eye. Your pet can become infected by eating
infected soil or licking contaminated paws or fur. Once swallowed, the
parasites damage the lining of the intestine and your pet cannot absorb
nutrients from its food. Bloody, watery diarrhea may result, and the
animal may become dehydrated because it loses more water in its stool
than it can replace by drinking. Young pets are most often infected
because their immune systems may not yet be strong enough to fight off
the parasite. Coccidia can be very contagious among young puppies and
kittens, so households with multiple pets should be especially careful
to practice good hygiene and sanitation.
A routine fecal test by your veterinarian will detect the presence of coccidia.
Treatment with medications will prevent the parasite from multiplying
and allow time for your pet's immune system to kill the parasites.
Giardia
Giardia (gee-AR-dee-ah) is also a single-celled parasite that,
if swallowed, damages the lining of the intestine and reduces the
absorption of nutrients from the food your pet eats. While most Giardia infections do not cause illness, severe infections can lead to diarrhea.
Giardia is harder to diagnose than other intestinal
parasites, and several stool samples may have to be tested before it is
found. If necessary, your veterinarian will recommend treatment with
medications to eliminate the infection. Because it is highly contagious
among animals, good hygiene and sanitation are important when there are
multiple pets in the household.
Important points about internal parasites
- See your veterinarian if your pet has diarrhea, weight loss,
increased scooting, a dull coat, or if you see worms under its tail, in
its bedding, or on its stool.
- Prompt treatment of internal
parasites lessens your pet's discomfort, decreases the chances of
intestinal damage, and decreases the chance that your pet will infect
humans or other animals.
- Good hygiene and sanitation reduce
the chances that your pet will infect people or animals. You can help
prevent the spread of infection by always cleaning up your pet's
droppings immediately.
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This information has been prepared as a service by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Article Source: http://www.mydogplace.com/dog-content/dog-health-series/internal-parasites-in-dogs-article.html
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