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Can children
catch worms or other
diseases from cats and dogs?
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There is a term for diseases
that are passed on from animals to people. It is called zoonosis.
Infants and small children are
more susceptible to catching parasites and diseases from pets as
they have immature immune systems
and often poor hygiene.
Can Children Catch Worms from Cats and
Dogs?
It is possible for humans and especially children to become
infected with worms from cats and dogs. It is important to teach
your children to wash their hands before eating. Equally
important is to regularly treat your pets for worms.
It should be noted that catching worms from the family pet is
not common but you should be aware of the possibility.
Can Roundworm spread from cats and
dogs to
children? Roundworm are the most
common parasite of the digestive system in cats and dogs.
Roundworm can only spread to humans by ingesting roundworm eggs.
This can happen when a child comes in contact with contaminated
soil or sand and then transfers eggs to the mouth via
contaminated fingers or by putting contaminated objects in their
mouths. Visceral
larva migrans, is a disease caused by roundworm that can
affect humans. Visceral
larva migrans also known as Toxocariasis is a potentially serious disease that can affect
the eyes and other organs. The disease is caused by Toxocara canis
(dog roundworm) which
lives in the intestine of dogs and Toxcara cati (cat roundworm) which lives in
the intestine of cats. Dogs have been known to be infected with
Toxcara Cati after eating the feces of cats.
After the eggs are inadvertently eaten they hatch in the human intestine. The
larvae from these eggs are then released into the bloodstream
and find their way to all parts of the body, including the
liver, lungs, heart, brain and eyes.
Most human
patients are children between the ages of two and four years,
who become infected after playing in sandboxes or soil
contaminated by pet feces. The eggs can survive in soil for as
long as seven years. Toxocariasis can be
prevented by keeping children from playing in soil contaminated
by animal feces and by teaching children to wash their hands
before eating. Toxocara eggs can only become infective
if they have been in the environment for approximately two week,
so direct contact with an infected animal generally does not
result in transmission.
Can children or adults catch Hookworm from pets? Hookworm is an intestinal
parasite found in cats and dogs but
is more common in dogs. Hookworm are
most commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas. In
animals the hookworm attaches to the inside of the intestinal
wall by means of a hook-like mouth and feed on the blood of the
host. The eggs are excreted in the animals feces.
Hookworm is transmissible to humans via soil contaminated
by cat or dog feces. Hookworm eggs are deposited into the soil.
The larvae which hatch from the eggs can infect a human either
by ingestion or by penetrating the skin. In skin penetration
humans can develop into a characteristic itchy rash called
cutaneous larva migrans, or creeping eruption. The rash can take
the form of a snake-like tract with blisters which is caused by
the hookworm larvae traveling under the skin. In humans
when the hookworm enters via the skin it does not find it's way
to the intestines.
Children or adults can become infected through the
soles of their feet by walking barefoot in a hookworm infected
area or on the buttocks by sitting in a infected area.
Can
Ringworm spread from cats and dogs to children?
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Ringworm on a human |
Contrary to its name Ringworm
is not a worm at all but a fungus called Dermatophytes. Dermaphtytes means 'plants that live on the skin'. In the
past, because of the circular lesions made by the fungi they
were thought to be caused by worms, hence the name ringworm.
Ringworm is very contagious and can spread from cats, dogs and
other animals to humans and visa versa.
More Reading on Ringworm
Pictures included. |
Tapeworm and Humans
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Dipylidium Caninum is the most common
tapeworm in dogs and cats. It is not common for a
human to become infected with tapeworms from their
pets.
In order for a human to become
infected with Dipylidium Caninum they must
ingest an infected flea and this doesn't happen
often. Pets on the other hand often ingest fleas
whilst grooming.
More Reading on
Tapeworm in Cats |
Can you catch heartworm your pet?
No. Heartworm is transmitted by
mosquitoes not cats or dogs. Humans are not a natural host
for heartworm.
The importance of worm control in Cats
and Dogs To help protect your family
from the possibility of catching worms from your pets it is
essential that you de-worm your pets regularly.
More reading on:
Worming your Kitten or Cat
Worming your Puppy or Dog
Flea Control is also necessary to protect your
pets and family from tapeworm.
More reading on
How
to get rid of fleas on your cat or dog and in your house.
Cat Scratch Disease
Cat Scratch Disease is caused by a bacteria (Baronella henselae).
It is self limiting and most people will recover from the
infection without any treatment, although individuals with
immune system problems may be more seriously affected and should
seek medical advice.
Cat Scratch Disease is caused by a scratch or bite from a cat
but more often a kitten. The first sign or symptom is a small
lump similar to an insect bite or blister at the site where the
scratch or bite occurred. Swelling of the lymph nodes usually
occurs a couple of weeks later.
Other symptoms can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite,
headache, rash, sore throat and an overall feeling of being
unwell.
Children and adolescents are more prone to the infection.
Infection cannot be spread from person to person.
Consult your doctor who may prescribe antibiotics after
confirming the infection.
Rabies
In non-vaccinated humans, rabies is almost invariably fatal
after neurological symptoms have developed, but prompt
post-exposure vaccination may prevent the virus from
progressing.
Any mammal may become infected with the rabies virus and develop
symptoms, including humans. Most animals can be infected by the
virus and can transmit the disease to humans. Infected bats,
monkeys, raccoons, foxes, skunks, cattle, wolves, dogs or cats
provide the greatest risk to humans. Rabies may also spread
through exposure to infected domestic farm animals, groundhogs,
weasels and other wild carnivores. Squirrels, rodents and
rabbits are seldom infected.
The virus is usually present in the nerves and saliva of a
symptomatic rabid animal.The route of infection is usually, but
not necessarily, by a bite. In many cases the infected animal is
exceptionally aggressive, may attack without provocation, and
exhibits otherwise uncharacteristic behaviour. (source:
Wikipedia)
(More in-depth information
on Rabies)
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite called
Toxoplasma gondiia and can spread from cats to humans.
Toxoplasmosis is common in humans often causing flu like
symptoms but is usually of no danger. The main danger is to
unborn children where the pregnant mother has been exposed to
the parasite early in the pregnancy. Infection is caused by
inadvertently ingesting contaminated cat feces. Pregnant women
should take extra care when handling cat litter boxes.
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