Expert warns dog owners to ‘paws’ and protect against this silent parasite
- Replies 4
As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, Australian dog owners are urged to be extra vigilant.
A silent threat lurks in the pleasant warmth of the changing seasons, one that could harm not only your beloved canine companions but also your family.
A parasite expert has sounded the alarm on a potentially dangerous infection caused by a certain type of roundworm, which thrives in the recent warm and wet weather conditions sweeping across the country.
Dr Vito Colella, a parasitologist from the University of Melbourne, highlighted the increased risk of toxocariasis, a disease that, while typically mild, can lead to chronic health issues in both dogs and humans.
Toxocara roundworms, which reside in the small intestines of dogs and cats, release their eggs into the environment through the animals' faeces.
This is especially troublesome for dogs, as they frequently defecate in public areas like parks, thereby spreading roundworms to other dogs and humans.
According to Dr Colella, these eggs are microscopic, so even a ‘minimal amount of faecal material that is heavily contaminated’ could be enough to cause an infection.
In dogs, the infection is typically mild and symptoms may include diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, and a swollen abdomen.
‘The majority of dogs develop something…called pot-bellied syndrome,’ Dr Colella said.
‘The belly, especially in puppies, is dilated, it’s particularly swollen.’
He added, ‘The Toxocara parasites…can take up the nutrients that should have gone to the animal.’
Colella also mentioned that intestinal obstruction can sometimes happen.
This can cause the small intestine to perforate, allowing roundworms to enter the abdominal cavity. Anaphylaxis can also follow, potentially leading to death.
In humans, children are more susceptible to the disease as they are more likely to play with and handle soil.
‘They could get infected from the environment where the dogs live, especially public parks or if they are in the garden if the faeces are not picked up in a short time and disposed of properly,’ Dr Colella explained.
If a human contracts Toxocara roundworms, various health problems can arise.
These may include abnormal blood test results, liver enlargement, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, and rashes.
These symptoms occur as the worm larvae migrate through the body, causing tissue damage. If the larvae migrate to the eye, permanent vision loss can occur.
However, severe illness or death from toxocariasis is extremely rare.
‘There are cases in which the parasites cause brain and heart dysfunction that have led to death, but the mortality rate of this infection is very, very low,’ Dr Colella pointed out.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasted a warmer-than-average winter in Australia this year, which provides ideal conditions for Toxocara parasites.
The parasite's larval eggs develop into the infectious stage during humid weather, with the optimal temperature around 20 degrees Celsius. Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius or above 37 degrees Celsius prevent the larval eggs from reaching this stage.
Additionally, wet weather contributes to the spread of contaminated soil.
‘If faeces are left outside in the park or in the garden for a couple of days, and then it rains, there will be a sort of wash effect on the faeces that means that the eggs then can travel,’ Dr Colella mentioned.
Both dogs and humans can be easily treated for Toxocara roundworms using different medications, while most humans recover without specific treatment.
To protect both animals and humans, Colella emphasised the importance of dog owners staying on top of their pet's health.
This includes simple tasks such as deworming their dogs monthly, treating them annually for external parasites, and scheduling regular check-ups with the vet.
According to Dr Colella, dog owners should also promptly pick up their pet's faeces and ensure proper disposal.
Additionally, they should wash their hands after handling soil or objects that could potentially be contaminated.
‘This is important for all dog owners, but particularly so for those with young children who we know are at greatest risk,’ he said.
As Australian dog owners remain vigilant against potentially harmful infections like Toxocara roundworms, authorities issued additional warnings regarding another threat to pets found in parks.
The recent discovery of a deadly virus in public spaces has raised concerns among pet owners, highlighting the importance of maintaining awareness and precautions to safeguard the health of beloved companions.
Have you had any experiences with Toxocara or other pet-related parasites? What are your tips on how to prevent contracting health issues from them? Share your stories and tips in the comments below.
A silent threat lurks in the pleasant warmth of the changing seasons, one that could harm not only your beloved canine companions but also your family.
A parasite expert has sounded the alarm on a potentially dangerous infection caused by a certain type of roundworm, which thrives in the recent warm and wet weather conditions sweeping across the country.
Dr Vito Colella, a parasitologist from the University of Melbourne, highlighted the increased risk of toxocariasis, a disease that, while typically mild, can lead to chronic health issues in both dogs and humans.
Toxocara roundworms, which reside in the small intestines of dogs and cats, release their eggs into the environment through the animals' faeces.
This is especially troublesome for dogs, as they frequently defecate in public areas like parks, thereby spreading roundworms to other dogs and humans.
Australian dog owners were cautioned about the heightened risk of Toxocara roundworms, which could lead to various health problems in both dogs and humans. Credits: Shutterstock
According to Dr Colella, these eggs are microscopic, so even a ‘minimal amount of faecal material that is heavily contaminated’ could be enough to cause an infection.
In dogs, the infection is typically mild and symptoms may include diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, and a swollen abdomen.
‘The majority of dogs develop something…called pot-bellied syndrome,’ Dr Colella said.
‘The belly, especially in puppies, is dilated, it’s particularly swollen.’
He added, ‘The Toxocara parasites…can take up the nutrients that should have gone to the animal.’
Colella also mentioned that intestinal obstruction can sometimes happen.
This can cause the small intestine to perforate, allowing roundworms to enter the abdominal cavity. Anaphylaxis can also follow, potentially leading to death.
In humans, children are more susceptible to the disease as they are more likely to play with and handle soil.
‘They could get infected from the environment where the dogs live, especially public parks or if they are in the garden if the faeces are not picked up in a short time and disposed of properly,’ Dr Colella explained.
If a human contracts Toxocara roundworms, various health problems can arise.
These may include abnormal blood test results, liver enlargement, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, and rashes.
These symptoms occur as the worm larvae migrate through the body, causing tissue damage. If the larvae migrate to the eye, permanent vision loss can occur.
However, severe illness or death from toxocariasis is extremely rare.
‘There are cases in which the parasites cause brain and heart dysfunction that have led to death, but the mortality rate of this infection is very, very low,’ Dr Colella pointed out.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasted a warmer-than-average winter in Australia this year, which provides ideal conditions for Toxocara parasites.
The parasite's larval eggs develop into the infectious stage during humid weather, with the optimal temperature around 20 degrees Celsius. Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius or above 37 degrees Celsius prevent the larval eggs from reaching this stage.
Additionally, wet weather contributes to the spread of contaminated soil.
‘If faeces are left outside in the park or in the garden for a couple of days, and then it rains, there will be a sort of wash effect on the faeces that means that the eggs then can travel,’ Dr Colella mentioned.
Both dogs and humans can be easily treated for Toxocara roundworms using different medications, while most humans recover without specific treatment.
To protect both animals and humans, Colella emphasised the importance of dog owners staying on top of their pet's health.
This includes simple tasks such as deworming their dogs monthly, treating them annually for external parasites, and scheduling regular check-ups with the vet.
According to Dr Colella, dog owners should also promptly pick up their pet's faeces and ensure proper disposal.
Additionally, they should wash their hands after handling soil or objects that could potentially be contaminated.
‘This is important for all dog owners, but particularly so for those with young children who we know are at greatest risk,’ he said.
As Australian dog owners remain vigilant against potentially harmful infections like Toxocara roundworms, authorities issued additional warnings regarding another threat to pets found in parks.
The recent discovery of a deadly virus in public spaces has raised concerns among pet owners, highlighting the importance of maintaining awareness and precautions to safeguard the health of beloved companions.
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