There are many different species of worm parasites that can infect our canine friends. Some are completely harmless, some may cause human illness and some can cause life-threatening disease.

ROUNDWORMS TOXOCARA CANIS – the common dog roundworm is the parasite of most significance in the dog. Puppies are infected by trans-placental infection while still in the uterus and 100% of puppies are borne carrying this parasite. The pups pass worm eggs in their faeces from 2 weeks after birth. Ingestion of these eggs causes worm burdens to increase in the puppies and the bitch is usually infected as well.

Toxocara is of concern because humans can be accidentally infected. The eggs are sticky and adhere to the dog’s coat especially in the area around the bottom. About 25% of dogs may be carrying Toxocara eggs on their coat at any one time.  As many as 200 eggs have been found per gram of hair in this area. Infection is by these eggs being ingested by children. Toxocara can cause blindness in children and it has been noted that children with epilepsy are more likely to have been exposed to this parasite. Toxocara never causes symptoms in adult dogs and is very unlikely to be shed in the faeces. Thus without laboratory testing, there is no way of knowing if your dog is infected

Recommendations

1)      Puppies should be wormed at 2, 5, 8 and 10 weeks of age. We recommend Panacur liquid

2)      Bitches should be wormed at 3 weeks post-whelping and at weaning

3)      Consider the use of Panacur liquid in pregnant bitches from 40 days of pregnancy for a 25 day treatment period. This reduces worm burdens in the puppies by 98%

4)      Worm  all adult dogs with a prescription (vet only) wormer 4 times a year.

TAPEWORMS

3 species of tapeworm infect dogs in the <country-regionw:ston><placew:ston>UK.

Dipylidium canis – is the commonest and is associated with flea infestations. The flea carries the parasite and the dog is infected when it gnaws its skin as a result of irritation from the flea bite and eats the flea. The tapeworms are white and mobile and may be seen around the skin of the bottom. They may cause anal irritation but are not a serious problem.

Taenia multiceps – this worm may also be seen around the dog’s bottom. The dog is infected by eating intermediate hosts such as rabbits. The worm is not harmful to the dog but if the eggs are eaten by farm animals (pasture contaminated by dog faeces) they may cause cysts in the muscle tissue of food animals ( the bit we eat!)

Echinococcus granulosus. Is commonly found only in working sheepdogs. It causes no symptoms in the dog but if humans are accidentally infected serious liver disease

(hydatid disease)  resulting in death can occur. It has been estimated that 30-40 human cases of hydatid disease occur annually in <country-regionw:ston><placew:ston>Britain.

Recommendations

1)      worm all adult dogs 4 times a year with Drontal plus or Milbemax

2)      Worm any time tapeworms are seen around the bottom

LUNGWORM

Lungworm problem are increasingly being recognised in dogs. This may be due to climatic factors and an increase in  the fox population.

Crenosoma vulpis – the fox lungworm. Commonly infects young dogs after exposure to infection via the intermediate hosts - commonly slugs and snails. This lungworm causes a persistent hacking cough that may be mistaken for kennel cough. It does not cause serious or life-threatening disease.

Angiostrongylus vasorum – the French Heartworm. May infect dogs after contact with slugs,  snails or frogs. It commonly causes similar signs to the fox lungworm but may also cause severe breathing difficulties, collapse, blood clotting problems and acute neurological disease. Deaths occur.

Both of these infections are very difficult to diagnose and may require such specialised techniques such as lung lavage to confirm the diagnosis.

Recommendation

1)      do not let your dog eat slugs or snails. If fed outside ensure that foodbowls are not visited by slugs or snails.

2)      A 7 day course of Panacur liquid is recommended for any animal that has coughed for more than 2 months.

3)      Confirmed cases should have repeat treatments every 6 months

HEARTWORM – Dirofilaria immitis. Is not present in the <country-regionw:ston><placew:ston>UK but it is present in all tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and it thus represents a risk to the travelling pet. Infections cause pneumonia, heart failure or acute blood disorders. It is spread by mosquito bites and is more common in low lying river basins. The Camargue in <country-regionw:ston>France and the Po valley in <country-regionw:ston><placew:ston>Italy are noted hotspots.

Recommendation – all dogs travelling in affected areas should be given a monthly preventative treatment whenever average day:night temperatures exceed 57 degrees farenheit – Advocate or Milbemax