Pets can be infested with external parasites and infected by internal ones. All parasites of concern can result in damage to your pet's health. Some can be transferred from your pet to other animals and even to you! No dog or cat that is parasitized is considered healthy. The good news is that all parasites are preventable and/or treatable. It costs some money to prevent parasite-borne diseases, but it is cheaper to prevent an illness than to treat an illness!
A fecal test should be done at least once a year along with your pet's annual vaccination!
Parasitic Zoonoses
Parasitic zoonoses are diseases primarily of animals which are caused by parasites that can be transmitted to humans.
In animals, intestinal parasites can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, intestinal obstruction, weight loss, pot-bellied appearance, and general failure to thrive.
In people, zoonotic parasites cause a variety of conditions depending on the parasite, the route of infection, the person’s age and immune status, and the size of the infectious dose. The signs in humans range from sub-clinical (no noticeable problems) to blindness and death.
The most likely candidates for parasitic zoonosis are young children. It is because they are less careful about hygiene, are likely to put their hands in their mouths, commonly play in sand or dirt, are in very close contact with the pet, and may eat grass or soil contaminated with parasite eggs.
Immunocompromised adults are at increased risk for zoonotic disease while others are at increased risk because of high exposure due to occupation, e.g., veterinary workers, farm workers, animal breeders.
Intestinal parasites are virtually everywhere in the outdoor environment and animals are generally infected with parasites at birth or a very young age. Puppies are almost always born with worms and continue to pick up more parasites via nursing and fecal contamination. Kittens pick up parasites very early through nursing and the environment. Some parasite eggs are particularly resistant and remain viable in the soil for many years.
Humans can contact zoonotic parasites in several ways. They may accidentally ingest parasite eggs or larvae which are contaminating the environment, or they may swallow an infected flea or get bitten by an infected mosquito. People can also become infected by skin penetration of parasitic larvae if their bare feet or bare skin come in contact with contaminated soil.
Parasitic Zoonotic Diseases and How They Affect Humans
Roundworms
- ‘visceral larval migrans’ is where the infective larvae enters the human body and migrates through and encysts in body tissues, often the lung or liver.
- Clinical signs include fever, coughing, abdominal discomfort or rashes.
- The eye is common site for parasite migration resulting in partial loss or complete blindness, ‘ocular larval migrans’.
- May migrate to brain and cause neurological signs and even death.
Hookworms
- Inflammatory and allergic response occur in the skin where the larvae burrow or ‘cutaneous larval migrans’. Can cause gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea or cramping if enters gut.
Tapeworms
- Animal tapeworms can form cysts in the human body, usually the liver, and may become extremely large.
- Heartworm infection has been found in Immunocompromised humans!
Prevention
- Strategic deworming – routinely deworming animals at set intervals designed to interrupt the parasite life cycle before eggs or larvae are passed into the environment further contaminating it.
- Can also microscopically examine fecal samples to identify parasite eggs and larvae and treat as needed. Recommended once yearly at least.
- Mosquito control measures.
- Good hygiene
There are several medications that can eliminate or prevent parasites infections in your pet and reduce chances of zoonotic infection in your family.
- Pyrantel – pill for intestinal round worms
- Praziquantel – pill for tape worms.
- Ivermectin – chewable meat flavoured pill for heartworm & intestinal worms
- Selemectin – transdermal liquid for prevention of heartworm, intestinal worms and fleas, tick, lice and mites.
SUMMARY:
People become infected by ingesting parasitic eggs via….
- Putting contaminated objects or hands in their mouths.
- Eating contaminated fruits or vegetables without washing them thoroughly.
- Playing in sandboxes or areas contaminated with animal feces.
- Handling animals without washing hands afterwards.
- Being in close contact with infected animals.
- Accidentally ingesting a flea.
- Not practicing good hygiene and sanitation.
- Having skin contact with contaminated soil.
People most at risk are…
- Young children.
- People with kittens &\or puppies in the household.
- People who are careless about sanitation.
- People who work in close contact with animals.
- Pet owners who do not routinely deworm their pets.
- People who work/live in contaminated environments.
- People with compromised immune systems.
Bill Golbeck BSc DVM
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