Zoonsis is the term used to describe infections that are transmitted from animals to humans. Hookworms and roundworms are commonly found in the southeast in pets and in unfortunate humans.
Hookworms
Cats and dogs contract hookworms by ingesting infected larvae in the soil. They can also get certain hookworms through nursing their mother, and from the placenta in unborn puppies.
Hookworms attach to an animal’s intestinal lining and suck its blood potentially causing: diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, weakness and death.
Hookworm eggs pass from an animal’s body through its feces and hatch into larvae.
Humans may pick up the larvae when walking barefoot on infected soil, (this is one reason dogs are banned from public beaches) potentially causing:
Lesion-like markings under the skin (cutaneous larva migrans) sometimes called Plumbers itch. Damage to vital internal organs from swelling (visceral larva migrans) causing painful bloating, cramping, and blockages in the digestive system (eosinophilic enteritis).
An estimated 20% of the world’s human population is infected with hookworms.
Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite of dogs, having an estimated prevalence of 25% to 75%.
Lifecycle: Eggs hatch into larvae in an animal’s small intestine after being ingested. Puppies and kittens also contract these through nursing their mother and puppies through the placenta before birth. The larva migrate to the liver, then the lungs and are coughed up and swallowed. The larvae mature into adults in the small intestine. Larva cause a pot-bellied appearance and poor growth in puppies. Adult roundworms pass out of an animal in its feces. Adult female roundworms can produce up to 100,000 eggs a day.
In the United States there are an estimated 10,000 cases of human roundworm infections each year. These infections may cause: Damage to vital internal organs from swelling (visceral larva migrans). Inflammation and/or scarring to the retina, producing permanent partial blindness (ocular larva migrans)
Treatment
Human treatment involves antiparasitic drugs, usually in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs. Ocular larva migrans require greater measures to lessen eye damage.
Prevention
Clean your dogs’ living area often and properly dispose of your pets’ feces.
Have your pets regularly checked by your veterinarian for the presence of worms.
Keep your dog on a monthly oral preventive medication all year. These treat and control zoonotic parasites, such as hookworms and roundworms, as well as heartworms. HeartGard Plus, Interceptor, and Sentinel are the best products to use for zoonosis control! Avoid going barefoot where dogs and cats may have defecated, especially sandy soils. Wash you and your childrens’ hands before eating, especially when camping or at the beach and public parks.