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T
he UK has seen an
increase in a tapeworm
which lives in the gut of dogs.
Hydatid Disease is caused by
a tapeworm and can be
picked up by humans if
they come into contact
with dog faeces. It is on
the increase in certain
parts of the UK and is more
likely to occur when a dog has
been fed or allowed to scavenge
on infected sheep carcasses.
A dog becomes infected when
it eats a sheep carcass
containing hydatid cysts.
Worm heads in the hydatid
cyst grow into a small
tapeworm in the gut of the
dog and produce eggs.
Humans can pick up these
eggs when handling
infected dogs or coming
into contact with dog faeces. The
cysts, which can be large in humans,
can form in the lungs, liver, brain and
other sites. As the cysts act like a
tumour in the body it is an extremely
dangerous disease. There is a
particular concern for children who
develop the disease.
Prevention is simple in the form of
routine worming, but using the
correct product is essential.
For more information on hydatid
disease, or worming your dog, please
speak to your vet. Be a responsible
dog owner, and make sure your dog
is wormed properly!
There is, however, another worm
found in dogs and cats which
is potentially dangerous to human
health. Toxocara Canis, and Toxocara
Can, more commonly known as
Roundworms have been known to
cause blindness in children.
Roundworms are the commonest
worms found in dogs and cats of all
ages, but especially puppies and
kittens. All puppies and kittens are
born with roundworms. By 3 weeks
of age, they can be found in the
intestine, and eggs are passed in
pup/kitten motions. Heavy infestations
can lead to poor growth or ill thrift and
a ‘pot belly’, but often there is nothing
to indicate that your pet has worms.
This is why it is so important to make
sure dogs and cats are regularly
wormed, whether there's any
evidence of worms or not.
By worming regularly, and picking up
your dog’s poo not only will you
improve your dog’s health, but you
will also reduce environmental
contamination, and eliminate any
possibility of human infection.
You may actually stop someone from
going blind!
Worming
- Why it’s important to get it right!
by
Mark Overend
BVMS MRCVS
Cain Veterinary Centre
Fighting Fleas...
The good news is there are some very good
products available for treating both the fleas on
your pets AND the infestation in your house.
The experts have described the gold standard
method of controlling fleas as ‘Integrated flea
control’ and it involves tackling the problem from
a number of angles
Use an effective spot on product to kill the adult
fleas on the pet.
Also use an insect growth regulator to stop the
flea life cycle in its tracks. The most efficient
point to use this is on the animal. Remember,
the flea only lays its eggs on the pet so by using
on animal treatment you will completely block
the lifecycle from that point forward.
Wash bedding and vacuum to decrease any
pre-existing infestation.
Understand the flea lifecycle and so be able to
tackle the problem from all angles.
Don't forget...
l
It can take months to rid your home of fleas -
a single treatment will not be sufficient!
l
Treat all the areas your pets frequent such as
the car, outdoor buildings, dog kennels etc.
l
For effective flea prevention (once the initial
infestation is eliminated), you should continue
treatment all year round. Fleas can live and
breed all year in your home.
l
Prevention is always better than cure.
l
Any breaks in treatment will mean your pets are
at risk of picking up fleas again. Once on your
pet they will start rapidly breeding and laying
eggs (50 per day!) which will infest your home.
If you fail to keep up with regular treatments your
home and pet are at risk of re-infestation!!!
DID YOU KNOW...
...that
95%
of the
flea population live
in the environment
Remember
1 flea can lay 50
eggs per day… that can add
up to 1500 in its lifetime!!
You can see how quickly
even the cleanest home can
become infested.
This means that for every 5 fleas you find on your pet there will be
95 in the house or garden!! Not a nice thought especially when we
know what problems fleas can cause. From allergic skin irritations
to tapeworms, fleas are definitely an unwanted pest.
Kindly supplied by
Merial Animal Health
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