Roundworms
Roundworms, also known as ascarids, are long (2-6 inches), usually white, worms that occur in all dogs and cats. They look a bit like smooth skinny earthworms. The most common roundworms in dogs are properly called Toxocara Canis and Toxascaris Leonina. In cats Toxocara Cati is the most common but Toxascaris Leonina is also found.
Roundworm infestation is most common in puppies and kittens, in fact almost all are born with roundworms. Most adult dogs and cats continue to have some infection though there are rarely any signs present.
Infection occurs in new born animals because larvae that have been dormant in the mother are reactivated during pregnancy. These pass across the placenta and also via the milk to the foetuses. Older dogs and cats always retain some inactivated larvae and these can from time to time become active again. They can also be infected by contact with eggs in feaces or by eating an infected animal such as a mouse.
Signs of Infection
The signs that tell you if your dog or cat has roundworm vary according to their age. Puppies and kittens can have infections serious enough to cause death and typically have a pot bellied appearance and are thin. Many also have symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting and they may become anemic. Older animals have fewer signs but may generally just not be looking well with a dull coat and a poor appearance.
A microscopic examination of your pets feaces can quickly tell if infection is present.
Treatment and Prevention
Simply using a good wormer regularly is adequate treatment for roundworms. Routine preventative worming is the best way to control worms. That way problems are solved before they become serious and you can be sure that your pet is not acting as a source of infection to others. Modern wormers are extremely safe and effective.
Are roundworms infectious to people?
Toxocara canis can cause serious health problems in children. If children eat the hatched eggs (which may be found in dog feaces which has been left lying around for a time) larva may develop in their tissues leading to a condition called Visceral Larvae Migrans. This can cause fever and flu like symptoms. Very occasionally a larva may settle in the eye causing impaired vision. This is why it is so important that roundworms are properly controlled. Additional measures include teaching children to wash their hands regularly and removing any dog feaces promptly from areas where children play. Toxascaris Leonina and Toxocara Cati are not infectious to humans.
Tapeworms
The most common tapeworm of dogs (and cats) is called Dipylidium caninum. It is found in the intestine where it attaches itself on using little hooks around its mouth. An adult tapeworm can be up to 8 inches long and is made up of small segments, each about 1/8th of an inch in length. Now and then segments break off the end of the worm and are passed out in feaces. Sometimes they can be seen at the anus – they look like small grains of rice. Each segment that is passed out is like a little bag of eggs which are released into the environment as the segment dries out.
How do dogs get tapeworms?
Tapeworm eggs are a source of food for the larvae of fleas. For the egg to mature it must be eaten by a flea larva. The dog is infected when it licks of chews at its coat a swallows a flea. Inside the intestine the worm is released from the flea, attaches itself and begins to grow
Signs of infection
Tapeworms often cause relatively little problems for the dog. If present in large numbers they can cause weight loss and poor coat. The segments (left) wriggling out of the anus may also be irritating and cause the dog to drag its bottom along the floor or ‘scoot’. Sometimes a worm moves from the intestine and tries to attach itself in the stomach. This is very irritating and causes the dog to vomit – a long tapeworm may be visible in the vomit. Sometimes segments are visible at the anus which makes diagnosis easy. Otherwise they may be seen if feaces is examined under a microscope.
Treatment and Prevention
Probably the best thing is to give a regular preventative treatment – many of the common worm preparations sold by Vets kill tapeworms as well as roundworms.
Because of the importance of the flea in the tapeworms lifecycle on og the most effective means of prevention is to control fleas.
Are tapeworms infectious to people?
Yes, although infection is not common or likely. A flea must be ingested for humans to become infected with the most common tapeworm of dogs. Most reported cases have involved children. The most effective way to prevent human infection is through thorough flea control. The risk of infection with this tapeworm in humans is quite small but does exist.
