At Streetsville Animal Hospital we recommend fecal tests on 12 week old
puppies and kittens as well as annual testing on dogs and outdoor cats. So why does Dr. Dunn recommend fecal checks? What are we looking for in there? When we
check your pet’s stool we are looking for the larvae of intestinal parasites
which can only be seen under a microscope.
An undetected burden of parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, a poor
hair coat, scooting and irritation around the back end and dangers to humans as
well. There are many different parasites
but the following are some of the most common parasites we diagnose and how
they are transmitted.
Roundworms:
Roundworms are the most common
intestinal parasite. In fact,
approximately 80% of puppies and kittens are born with them as they are often
transmitted through Mom. These worms can
also be transmitted through ingestion after they have been passed in an
infected animal’s stool. Heavy burdens
can cause diarrhea, vomiting as well as a potty abdomen in puppies and on
occasion in adult dogs as well. These
worms are zoonotic which means they are also transferrable to humans. A roundworm infection in a human will manifest
as a skin or an ocular issue and children are specifically at risk.
Hookworms:
Hookworms can be transmitted to
cats and dogs four ways: orally, through the skin, through Mom’s milk as well
as through Mom’s placenta before birth.
These little guys can lead to anemia, poor appetite, diarrhea and
failure to thrive in puppies and kittens.
Although adult hookworms do not infect humans intestinally, their larvae
can burrow into the skin and cause itch and irritation.
Hookworm Larvae
Coccidia:
Coccidia are single celled
organisms - they live in the intestinal tract and are transmitted through
ingestion. Adult dogs often do not show
signs of this parasite but signs can be dramatic in puppies and kittens presenting
as watery diarrhea, abdominal distress and vomiting. The type of coccidia dogs and cats contract
is not transmissible to humans.
Tapeworms:
There are two different tapeworms
that cats and dogs are most susceptible to.
One is through the ingestion of an infected flea and the other is
through the ingestion of an infected rodent.
Tapeworms can lead to weight loss when they occur in large numbers,
especially to puppies. They are diagnosed
when owners notice segments around the anus that look like little pieces of
rice. After a segment is submitted to
us, we are then able to examine it under a microscope to confirm that it is a
tapeworm as well as which type. Tapeworms
are transmissible to humans but it is not very likely due to the fact that an
infected host must be ingested by a human for an infestation to start –
ingestion of the segments does not lead to an infestation.
Tapeworm segment
All of these intestinal parasites are treated with oral medication and
as long as strict hygiene is enforced they should not pose a threat to owners. Please
let us know if you have any questions or would like any further information on
fecal testing or parasites, we would be more than happy to help!
- Jennifer
