Toxocariasis is a zoonotic (can be transmitted to people) infection that is caused by parasitic roundworms often found in the intestines of dogs (Toxocara canis) and cats (T. cati). Puppies and kittens can acquire the infection prior to birth or from the mother's milk. Animals can also directly ingest worms or eggs from their environment.
Roundworm and Children
Puppies and children just seem to go together. What is not well known is the risk the puppy shares with the child. When animals have roundworm infection and defecate outdoors, their stool often contains worms or eggs. Typically pets like to defecate in public places like playgrounds or beaches. Small children playing in these places may be exposed if they accidentally ingest sand, soil or place a contaminated toy in their mouth.
Ingestion of roundworm eggs may cause a microscopic worm to migrate through the body and possibly to the eye. A condition called ocular larval migrans (OLM) may result that can lead to permanent partial loss of vision. Luckily, these cases are rare with only 700 reported per year.
Tips to reduce the Risk of Infection
- To reduce the risk of infection, your family can avoid public places and puppies, but few would agree that is a viable option. There are other easy ways to stay healthy and happy. The CDC website at www.cdc.gov provides a list of ways to prevent roundworm in people. The following are helpful tips from the site:
- Have your veterinarian treat dogs and cats, especially young animals, regularly for worms.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water after playing with pets and after outdoor activities, especially before eating.
- Teach children to always wash their hands after playing with dogs and cats and after being outdoors. Also teach that it is dangerous to eat dirt or soil.
- Do not allow children to play in areas that contain pet and other animal stool.
- Clean your pet's living area at least once a week. Feces should be bagged and disposed of in the trash.
Roundworms Common and Debilitating in Puppies
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is the group that sets the deworming requirements for veterinarians to follow. On their website www.petsandparasites.org under "Roundworms in Dogs," they comment on the symptoms. "Dogs with major roundworm infections, especially puppies, show weight loss, dull hair and a potbellied appearance. The dog may cough if the roundworms move into the lungs." Helping your puppy become healthy is easy with a trip to the veterinarian.
When you take your puppy for its first visit to the veternarian, they will most likely do a fecal test to look for roundworm eggs and other parasites. Because most puppies have a roundworm infection, they will need to be dewormed. This will involve several treatments due to the roundworm life cycle. Following initial treatment, one can continue protecting their pet with a monthly heartworm preventive if the heartworm test is negative. Some are full-spectrum products that also contain a deworming ingredient that treats and controls roundworm.
Deworming Guidelines
Visit the CAPC website at www.petsand parasites.org for complete information on deworming schedules, roundworm and other parasites. Here are their general recommendations for deworming for roundworm from the website:
- Puppies should be treated at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age and then should receive a preventive treatment monthly.
- Administer a biweekly anthelmintic treatment to kittens between 3 and 9 weeks of age, followed by administration of a monthly preventive.
- Fecal (stool) examinations should be conducted 2 to 4 times during the first year of life and 1 or 2 times each year in adults.
- Nursing mothers should be kept on monthly preventive and treated along with their puppies.
With a few precautionary measures for children and pets, they can play together safely, avoid roundworm infection, and enjoy many happy years as best friends.
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