INTERNAL PARASITES – WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Kids with pets make the perfect picture of love.  Only a child can give that precious look and special caring touch, especially to a puppy or kitten.  The dog or cat, in return, seems to show its unshakable loyalty to kids in particular.  Their bond is truly infectious.  Unfortunately, something else can be infectious, too.  Intestinal worms commonly found in pets can actually find their way to humans.  And children are very susceptible. 

Perhaps you’re not aware of the problem, or don’t even realize that these parasitic worms can infect people as well as pets.  But each year, thousands of human cases are diagnosed, many of them in children.  Left unchecked, the infection can lead to serious illness, even loss of sight.  It’s a fact that intestinal worms in pets are a growing public health problem.  It’s also a fact that, as a pet owner, dealing with intestinal worms is always going to be part of the deal.

Any pet, no matter how well you care for it, can get worms.  Keeping your dog or cat well groomed and well fed certainly helps, but pets are animals at heart.  They’re going to go sniffing and poking around, especially where other animals have been.  And worm eggs can be anywhere, remaining infectious for months and even years.  Despite all of your concern and care, your pet can ingest those eggs while it’s grooming or playing in the grass.  The larvae can even penetrate your pet’s skin while it’s resting or sleeping.

Like it or not, the danger of infection to your dog or cat is always around.  And so, too, is the danger of infection to you and your family.  Think about it.  The only ones who love stroking and cuddling your pet more than you do are your kids.  The little ones love playing in sandboxes or in the yard, and hand washing may be an infrequent event.  Plus, with a house pet, there are even more contact points between parasites and people:   beds, chairs, the carpet.  Remember, your pet’s intestinal worm eggs can be anywhere, not just outdoors.  Your pet is a member of your family, and it’s natural to want to protect all your family.  Now, keeping both children and pets safe from intestinal worms is easier then ever. 

Recognizing the human and animal health threats that intestinal worms pose is the first step.  Next is treating your pet regularly for worms, because the odds are high that your puppy or kitten is infected with worms.  Even after treatment, your pet may become re-infected with worms

Please discuss this with the veterinarian and together you can protect both your pet and your family members.

Note: This article is provided by Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® for informational purposes only.