Beyond the "Yuck" factor

Roundworms are among the most common internal parasites of domestic animals.

The Facts:

•  Roundworms infect over 90% of puppies under 3 months of age.
• Roundworm eggs can be found in 15% of all dogs
• Roundworm eggs can remain infective in contaminated soil for several years.
• Adult female roundworms can lay more than 100,000 eggs per day.

Transmission to dogs:

• Transplacental
• Through mother's milk
• Through contact with the feces of an infected animal

Activity in dogs:

• Adult roundworms live in the intestines, depriving their hosts of nutrients.
• If enough are aquired, roundworms may block the intestinal tract completely.
• Untreated roundworms can pose serious health risks for young dogs and puppies.

Signs:

• Diarrhea
• Weight Loss
• Worms in feces
• Swollen abdomen
• Vomiting
• Malnutrition
• Weakness
• Lack of appetite

Canine Roundworms can effect people!

Transmission:

• Through ingestion of eggs and soil
• Hand to mouth contact with contaminated soil or objects.

Activity in people:

• Roundworms do not mature into adults in humans as they do in dogs. Instead, ingested eggs develop into larvae which migrate to other organs. These larvae can result in visceral larva migrans or ocular larva migrans.
• VLM: Damages liver, heart and lungs. May be fatal if larvae infect the heart and brain.
• OLM: Caused my larvae migrating into the eye. Can cause impared vision. May lead to permanent blindness.

Symptoms in Humans:

• Symptoms and pathology of infection in humans may differ from those in dogs.
• Young children are especially vulnerable.
• Human infection with these parasites can have serious consequences- stomach ache, skin rashes, pneumonia, blindness