Roundworm:
Heavy roundworm infections may cause a distended stomach and ‘pot-bellied’ appearance – particularly noticeable in puppies and kittens. As the larvae migrate through the puppy, pneumonia and coughing may be seen. Animals may fail to put on weight and severe infestations may be fatal.
In dogs, dragging of the bottom along the ground is a sign that is sometimes seen (though this sign may commonly be caused by other conditions e.g. anal gland problems). You may even find segments in your dog's bedding – they are pale in colour, and about the size of a grain of rice and severe infections can cause vomiting or diarrhoea.
The most common roundworm in UK dogs, Toxocara canis, can also infect people, and children are particularly vulnerable to some very serious effects.Not only are dogs and cats affected by worms, but people may be too. Children are particularly vulnerable as they may pick up the worm eggs from contaminated soil during play (infected sandpits are a common source). The worm larvae migrate through the child’s body, and can sometimes end up behind the retina where they can cause permanent damage to the child’s eyesight. Worms have also been implicated in epilepsy..
In the UK, about 2-3% of people are believed to be infected with roundworm at some stage in their lives. However, most of these will remain unaware that they've been exposed to the parasite, as infection is often symptomless, or causes nothing worse than a stomach ache.
The risk of serious human harm as a result of a roundworm infection caught from a cat or dog is remote, and must be weighed against the very considerable benefits of owning a pet.
Nevertheless, 12 people annually in the UK suffer eye damage as a result of a roundworm infection: caused when the eggs develop into larvae and circulate to the back of the eye. So, whilst the risk may be small, the consequences can be severe.
Tapeworm
Dipylidium Tapeworm is the most commonly found species of tapeworm. It can infect infect cats, dogs and, occasionally, man.
Tapeworms resemble long, flat ribbons, divided up into segments. The mature tapeworm segments are filled with eggs, and individual segments break off, to pass via the cat or dog’s anus into the environment. Tapeworms, unlike roundworms, need an intermediate host (e.g. flea, mouse – different species of tapeworm have different intermediate hosts) that is eaten by the cat or dog.
Adult tapeworms anchor themselves to the gut wall and feed on the animal’s blood. Unsurprisingly, a heavy infestation can cause anaemia (low red blood cells), lethargy, loss of appetite and a dull lifeless coat. Unlike roundworms, tapeworms are generally a problem of adult animals.
Latin - Echinococcus granulosus is found only in central Wales and the Hebrides. In Europe, it is found in most Mediterranean countries. It can only be caught by dogs and foxes, not cats.
Tapeworms can also damage human health. The common ones such as the mouse and flea tapeworms are thankfully relatively harmless, but Echinococcus granulosus is rare tapeworm that can cause serious problems. Its eggs can remain dormant but viable in the soil for up to a year, and may infect vegetable and salads intended for human consumption. If they are swallowed, they can cause larval cysts in the liver, lungs or brain, which can be extremely serious – so always wash your salads carefully!
Echinococcus multilocularis is found in cats, dogs and foxes. It is not thought to be a risk in the UK, but is widespread in various parts of Europe. Indeed, under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), it is a mandatory requirement that all cats and dogs travelling to mainland Europe are wormed against this parasite prior to their return to the UK.
Hookworm
Latin - Ancylostoma caninum in dogs.
Hookworms are less common than roundworms and tapeworms. Ancylostoma caninum is the most important hookworm of dogs. The eggs hatch into larvae on the ground and have the ability to penetrate skin on contact.
Dogs in kennelled environments often develop painful sores around their pads from these migrating larvae. They can affect both dogs and cats, and feed on the animal’s blood. The range of symptoms can be wide, from mild diarrhoea through to emaciation, blood loss, diarrhoea, dehydration and death. These worms are not very big (around 3 inches and ½ inch respectively) but they can cause a lot of damage, particularly in young animals, where they can cause diarrhoea (often with blood), anaemia, weight loss and lethargy.
Hookworms are becoming more of a problem, mainly because the fox population is heavily infected. Studies have shown infection levels of almost 70% in foxes, and with an ever-growing urban fox population, even town and city-dwelling cats and dogs are potentially at risk.
Hookworm are quite rare in the UK and thus present a low risk to cats and dogs or people in this country. However, they are far more common on the continent, and the risk of infection is higher..
Whipworm
Latin - Trichuris vulpis
Whipworm are relatively rare in the UK, and are usually only found where large numbers of dogs cohabitate, such as a kennels. They are more common on the continent.
Heartworm
Latin - Dirofilaria immitis At this time, heartworm is not found in the UK.
However, this species is present in various parts of Europe, and can pose a serious health threat to pets that visit a 'danger' area.
Lungworm
The lungworm parasite is carried by slugs and snails. The problem arises when dogs purposefully or accidentally eat these common garden pests when rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or pick them up from their toys. Research in other parts of the world has demonstrated that, under certain conditions, lungworm larvae infective to dogs, can be released in slime from aquatic snails.
Foxes can also become infected with the lungworm, and have been implicated in the spread of the parasite across the country.
There are two main problems caused by dogs becoming infected with lungworm:
Infection with lungworm can cause serious health problems in dogs, and is often fatal if not diagnosed and treated.
Dogs infected with lungworm spread the parasite into the environment, as the larvae of the parasite are expelled in the dog’s faeces. This increases the chances of other dogs becoming infected.
Dogs of all ages and breeds can become infected with lungworm. However, younger dogs seem to be more prone to picking up the parasite. Dogs known to eat slugs and snails should also be considered high risk.
Lungworm infections can result in a number of different signs which may easily be confused with other illnesses. If your dog is displaying any of the signs below, consult your veterinary surgeon immediately.
Breathing problems:
Coughing
Tiring easily
Poor blood clotting:
Excessive bleeding from even minor wounds/cuts
Nose bleeds
Bleeding into the eye
Anaemia (paleness around the eyes gums)
General sickness:
Weight loss
Poor appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Changes in behaviour:
Depression
Tiring easily
Seizures (fits)
Some dogs don’t initially show outward signs of lungworm infection. Your veterinary surgeon can perform tests which may help detect if your dog is infected with the lungworm parasite, if you are concerned.
Ticks
A tick is a small, blood-sucking mite. Normally it lives on blood from larger animals, like deer, but it may also attach itself to humans. The tick sits on tall grass and trees, waiting for a possible 'host' to walk by. If a tick attaches itself to someone, it will typically find its way to a warm, moist and dark place on the body (like the crotch or the armpit). With dogs the most common place for a tick to attach itself to is the muzzle, so it is important to check your dog after a walk in long grass.
the tick will then insert a probe into the skin and begin sucking blood. In most cases the tick will leave after a while, or the host will get rid of it without any harm having been done. But, occasionally, the tick carries a small bacterium called Borrelia burghdor feri in its stomach. This is what causes Lyme disease. The further under the skin it gets, the greater the risk of catching the disease.
Why is it important to remove a tick?
A tick on the body doesn't usually cause any pain, but it is still important to get rid of it because of the risk of Lyme disease. Every year about 300-500 cases are reported.
How to remove a tick
The tick presses its head into the skin so it is important to try and remove all of it: remnants in the skin could cause infection.Use a tick remover tool as close to the head as possible. Take care not to pull it apart. Pull slowly and twist consistently until it lets go. Don't pull or twist too hard.
Do not attempt to remove the tick through burning or chemicals - this may cause more harm than good.What to do if the head gets stuck
If the tick is accidentally pulled apart and the head stays in the skin, there is a risk of being infected with other microscopic organisms. This kind of infection has nothing to do with Lyme disease, but can still be dangerous and unpleasant. See a doctor if infection occurs.
Do I need an antibiotic if I have been bitten by a tick?
If you have been bitten by a tick and have removed it, the risk of getting Lyme disease is so small that there is no reason to use an antibiotic.
It is, however, important to watch out for symptoms that may indicate Lyme disease, especially a red spot close to the tick bite. The spot gradually gets bigger and, eventually, a pale area will appear in the middle. This is often accompanied by headache and fever, which will usually appear between 3 and 30 days after the bite. If this happens, see a doctor immediately.
So remember, when you worm your pet with products such as Drontal, Panacur or Milbemax, or regularly protect your dog with anti flea products such as Stronhold you are not just protecting your pet, you are protecting children from a possible source of infection also. It is for this reason, that regular worming and flea protection of your pet is an essential part of responsible pet ownership
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