What are roundworms?
Roundworms (also know as toxocara) are round-bodied white intestinal worms that look a bit like spaghetti and can grow up to 18cm long! They are very common in the UK, and while infection in adult dogs and cats produces only mild health issues, they can cause serious issues in young puppies and kittens or debilitated older pets. Roundworms also pose a risk to humans, particularly children.
How are they spread?
Infection occurs through the ingestion of roundworm eggs in the environment which have been shed in the faces of infected animals or through ingesting an infected host (such as rats or birds). Roundworms eggs are very hardy and can survive for long periods in the environment once they have been shed. Your dog or cat can ingest eggs whilst simply sniffing grass or dirt. Eggs can also get caught in their fur, which are then ingested through grooming.
The eggs hatch into larvae in the gastrointestinal tract and migrate through the body to the muscles, liver, lungs and gut wall where they can form cysts. These encysted larvae maintain the level of infection and allow female dogs and cats to pass the infection onto their offspring through the placenta or milk.
After several weeks, larvae mature in the intestine and reproduce, eggs are then shed in the faeces of the infected animal, completing the life cycle.
What risks do they pose to cats and dogs?
Adult cats and dogs may show no symptoms of roundworm infection aside from worms in their faeces. Puppies, kittens and older pets with a large worm burden may show significant signs of infection, such as:
- Pot belly
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Poor growth in young pets
- Dull coat
- Seizures
A severe infection can be fatal, especially in young puppies and kittens.
What risk to they pose to humans?
Like any other host, humans can become infected through accidental ingestion of roundworm eggs. Roundworm eggs may be picked up from petting your animals which have eggs stuck to their coat, touching a contaminated surface (such as litters trays) or more commonly from touching infected soil. Roundworm infection, as with dogs and cats, is worse for the young. Children are not only more likely to pick up an infection, they are more at risk of serious consequences, including liver failure and blindness.
How can I protect my family?
- Follow your vet’s advice about regular roundworm treatment for your pets.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
- Always pick up after your dog quickly.
- Don’t allow children to play in potentially contaminated areas.
- Cover up play sandboxes when not in use to prevent them being used as litter boxes!
- Teach children it can be dangerous to eat soil or put things in their mouths.
Call us on 01435 864422 if you would like more information about roundworms.
