It isn't just because we enjoy the stinky packages; it's to help keep your pets and your family
safe and healthy. Many of the intestinal parasites that our pets are exposed to can actually be
transferred to humans. These "zoonotic" diseases are completely preventable through regular
screenings and good hygiene practices (washing your hands before eating, cleaning up bowel
movements immediately, etc.)
Most puppies and kittens are born with roundworms, a long spaghetti shaped worm that causes
bloated bellies, soft stools, and vomiting. In puppies, this parasite is actually transmitted
through the mother's placenta or through nursing. Infections in adult pets are most often
caused from exposure to infected stool. If humans accidentally ingest one of these eggs, they
can get an infection as well, which often attacks the eyes or internal organs. Always bring a
stool sample along with you when you adopt a new puppy or kitten so that we can screen for these parasites!
Have you seen any fleas on your pet? Even if you haven't, you should always be on the lookout
for tapeworms. The eggs are ingested when your pet grooms themselves. When infected, you
may see rice-like or maggot-like segments under the tail or on stool. And remember to wash
your hands well because these can also infect humans!
The other "worms" that we see are whipworms and hookworms. Whipworms are mostly found in
dogs and can cause chronic diarrhea and other health complications if not treated. They can be
difficult to diagnose because of their long life cycle. They are very resistant in the environment
so reinfection is common. Hookworms are different than the other parasites because they
actually suck blood through the intestinal walls and can cause severe anemia and even death in
small animals. They can enter pets and people through the skin and move through the body to
the intestines. We also commonly see two protozoal parasites in our pets as well, called giardia
and coccidia. Each of these can cause diarrhea in our pets but are not commonly spread to
people.
I hope that this parasite summary will encourage you to bring a fecal sample to avoid the
possible risk to you and your family. We recommend checking a sample at every puppy and
kitten visit and twice yearly for adult pets as well as any time they have diarrhea. If you would
like more information about this topic, please call Princeton Animal Hospital at 609-520-2000 or check out the
Companion Animal Parasite Council's website at www.capcvet.org.
