Everyday your pet could be exposed to parasites commonly known as worms. The two most common types are roundworm (nematodes) and tapeworm (cestodes), of which there are many sub-species.
Worms cause damage to the intestinal mucosa, utilising the luminal contents to grow and reducing the absorptive capacity of the gut. In turn, this means that your pet may not be able to fully utilise all of the nutrients that it has ingested. In some cases, worms may cause your pet to suffer from diarrhoea or vomiting, and in the worst case scenario, heavy burdens may subsequently lower the action of your pets’ immune system, making them increasingly susceptible to other illnesses.
Worm burdens are considered far more of a problem in young puppies and kittens than in adults. They may cause poor development, stunted growth and intestinal impactions, and young animals suffering with heavy worm burdens often have distended bellies.
The tapeworm, Dipylidium Caninum, is the most common tapeworm in the United Kingdom. It can be passed to dogs and cats via fleas and, in the case of dogs, the biting louse. Therefore control of this parasite depends on treating the existing infection and eliminating fleas from the animal and the environment in which it resides.
How
can my pet become infected by worms?
There are many ways in which
animals may become infected by worms. Puppies and kittens receive
a worm burden from their mother while in utero and by infective larvae that pass
into the mothers milk during lactation. Infection may also occur via ground
contamination from wild and domestic animals faeces, and animals that are keen
hunters or scavengers are also highly susceptible.
Can
I become infected with these worms?
Some worms are known to be
zoonotic, that is that they can be passed to humans, and therefore awareness and
control of these parasites is important:
Echinococcus Granulosus
These tapeworm are
fortunately fairly rare in the United Kingdom and can be most commonly found in
rural areas where sheep reside. Dogs that are permitted to feed on sheep
carcases are at most risk; however, these worms can pass to humans. Following
accidental ingestion of eggs, hydatid cysts can develop in man, most commonly
found in the liver and lungs. Treatment often includes cyst drainage and
surgical removal of the cyst wall.
Toxocara Canis
These roundworm worst effect
puppies but can also be passed to humans, being most common in children directly
as a result of unhygienic habits. Ingestion of infective eggs
results in the migration of the larval stage. Often they pass through the body
without any signs of illness developing, however, in some cases the larvae may
come to rest in the eye, when sight disfunction or even blindness may result.
How
do worming products work?
Worming products are toxic
to different species of worms and are used to reduce the burden of worms that a
pet carries. They have no residual activity, and for this reason, a stringent
worming protocol should be adopted. Puppies and kittens require worming on a far
more regular basis than adults, as they are more susceptible to the affects of
these parasites.
How
often should I worm my pet?
Puppies and kittens are
wormed from 2weeks of age, every 2weeks until they are 12weeks old, then every
4weeks until they are 6months old.
As adults, dogs and cats
should be wormed every 3months.
Pregnant bitches and queens
should be wormed on the 40th day of pregnancy, daily until 2 days post parturition.
Nursing bitches and queens
should be wormed every 2 weeks, along with their young, until weaning.
What products are available?
Droncit® Injection