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As a
veterinarian, I consistently emphasize the importance of
regular physical examinations for all dogs and cats from
the young age of 6 weeks through the pet's entire
lifetime.
Prevention
is a proven cornerstone of veterinary medicine that has
prevailed through the years. As a small animal
veterinarian, I also realize the importance of keeping
my patients healthy and parasite free because of the
connection to the healthy human family. Two of the top
concerns when dealing with families who have dogs or
cats of any age is the prevention of intestinal
parasites and external parasites both which have
zoonotic disease potential. Remember, zoonotic disease
is one which can be transmitted from animals to humans.
However, to put every pet owner at ease, all of these
can be prevented with some basic care and guidance from
your veterinarian and their health care team.
Intestinal
parasites, specifically, roundworms and hookworms are
two health concerns that the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) encourage veterinarians to play an important role
in pet owner education and in prevention in each and
every dog and cat, so that together we can all lessen
the chance of zoonotic disease altogether.
Regarding
dog and cat health and prevention of intestinal
parasites, this requires each pet to be regularly
checked for them by doing a simple examination of their
fecal material. Every puppy and kitten should have their
fecal material checked at each and every visit for their
vaccination series regardless of whether they were
purchased from a private breeder, adopted from an animal
shelter or were given by a family friend.
Even, if
at the first set of puppy or kitten vaccinations the
fecal examination was negative, it should be checked
each subsequent visit, because the life cycle of each
intestinal parasite is different and the pet may not be
passing eggs at any one time, thus possibly rendering a
false negative result.
My job
requires recommending regular fecal examinations,
providing proper deworming protocols for every life
stage and advising owners on proper treatment and
precautionary measures necessary.
Note that
puppies, kittens, pregnant and nursing animals are
considered to be at highest risk. So, consult with your
veterinarian on which protocol is best. For pets,
possible routes of transmission for these intestinal
parasites include transplacental, transmammary,
ingestion from the environment and skin penetration from
the environment.
Possible
routes of transmission for hookworms and roundworms for
people include ingestion of eggs from fecal material or
contaminated soil; and skin penetration, even through
intact skin. For humans, people at risk include children
who play in contaminated areas and workers who crawl
under buildings such as plumbers and electricians.
So, your
mother wasn't lying when she told you to wear your shoes
when you went outside to play. The Southeast and the
Gulf Coast
states do seem to have a higher prevalence in both pets
and humans due to the favorable climate, but humans
everywhere should take the same precautions, regardless.
Humans
contract roundworms through oral ingestion of infective
eggs from the environment. Once the eggs hatch they
release larvae that migrate anywhere in the body, which
is referred to as visceral larval migrans. Organs that
are commonly affected are the eye, brain, liver and
lung, where permanent damage can occur. Humans become
infected with hookworms via ingestion of infected larvae
or through direct penetration of the skin. Hookworms
then migrate through the skin and this condition is
called cutaneous larval migrans.
Either
infection involving a human, whether it is from
roundworms or hookworms, can be quite serious. However,
as of now, neither condition is a reportable syndrome to
the CDC, so exact numbers are not known. Approximately
3,000 to 4,000 cases are investigated by the CDC
annually. As far as I am concerned, one case is too many
since these are preventable conditions.
So, for
me I recommend regular fecal examinations for all ages
of dogs and cats; I promote routine prophylaxis for dogs
and cats; I educate all pet owners on the importance of
picking up and disposing of all pet feces on a regular
basis; and I recommend keeping children away from areas
that may be contaminated with pet feces and teaching
children the importance of washing their hands before
eating.
An easy
and reliable way a majority of pet owners provide
routine prophylaxis throughout a pet's life is by giving
them a monthly heartworm preventive that combines an
intestinal parasite preventive as well.
This is
one reason why the CDC now highly encourages all dogs
and cats throughout
the United States
to receive monthly heartworm prevention year round. Even
though many areas during the harsh winter months have a
much lesser chance of contracting heartworm disease from
mosquitoes and do not necessarily have to take heartworm
prevention year round as they do in the Southeast and
Gulf States areas, the zoonotic potential of intestinal
parasites still exists and is a real concern.
Remember,
intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms in
pets, serve as a zoonotic threat. With good and
established protocols aimed at prevention and treatment
from your veterinarian, you can ensure that both your
pet's and your family's health will be parasite free.
For additional information, you can visit the CDC at: www.cdc.gov.
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