My vet told me because I have a cat and dog, I need to take deworming pills every 6 months as well!?

It is definitely true that you can pick up intestinal worms from animals. You can get human worming tablets from your local pharmacist/chemist. There are lots of different brands eg. Conbantrum.

I have worked with animals for ten years and do not take worm tablets, but i do know people who seem more susceptable to picking up worms. All it takes is you to transfer the worm eggs from your pet to your mouth and hey presto, wormies!

If you're worried about it, take the tablets. If it doesn't concern you too much then just keep an eye out for symptoms (sounds gross but an itchy butt is a pretty sure sign!) and then treat yourself. You may never pick up worms.

Well mam if i were in your shoes, i would take the vet's advice. It is true that some worms from your pets maybe transferred to you (zoonotic worms) such as Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara sp. and double pored tapeworm of dogs but the risk is small especially if your pet are dewormed and properly taken cared of. Still there is some possibility of transfer. Besides it is really recommended that you deworm yourself twice a year with or without pets because you can get it from the environment or even handling of currency. There had been researches that found out that sand boxes and currency carry oocyst of some worms... Of course you should consult a physician or a pharmacist if you are not sure what brand of dewormer you should take.... Goodluck......

You can certainly get animal worms although it's statistically quite a small risk, and it's true that you are supposed to worm yourself, as a precaution, but my vet told me once a year. You buy this stuff called Combantrin from the chemist - it tastes of chocolate. Ask the pharmacist about the dose if you're in doubt. Dose your kids up too if you have any. It is better than risking catching worms, believe me. I've had 'em from a cat years ago and it ain't pleasant.

MANY worms are zoonotic (can transfer from animals to people).

Roundworm and tapeworm for example could be passed from your cat to you.

Eg if your cat is passing microscopic roundworm eggs in its stool and then grooming itself, then you pat the cat and touch your mouth, or the cat drinks out of your water glass - PRESTO - you could get worms! And guess what, you may not SEE worms in your stool, they like to live happily inside of you. Roundworm can migrate to your eyes and cause blindness even...

So it doesn't hurt to deworm yourself and your family, especially small children. You can get dewormer at the pharmacy - ask your pharmacist, it is behind the counter.

of course you need to be wormed

even if you dont have pets its a good idea!

its not a big deal you can take the medicine that looks and tastes likechocolate

ahh good stuff

but yes get wormed its normal

sounds like rubbish to me, i don't have pets but don't you think something like this would be mentioned on tv?? not to mention a common problem talked about since million around the world a pet owners?

unless its a parasite you typically associate with wild animals like foxes.

besides get that heart worm crap you see on tv, squirt on the back and the dog is safe for months, meaning you dont' have to worry about yourself.

I have never heard of that. I'm guessing your vet is retarded... or maybe I'm just riddled with worms because I've had cats and dogs my whole life and I've never done such a thing.

My vet has wormed my animals before, but he has NEVER suggested that I take the medicine!

MOST DEFENITLY PEOPLE CAN GET SOME OF THE SAME WORMS ANIMALS HAVE( YOU CAN GET IT JUST BY WALKING IN YOU BARE FEET IN AN AREA AN ANIMAL HAS FECED AT ONE TIME, MY 2 YEAR OLD NEPHEW USED TO GO OUTSIDE IN HIS BARE FEET ALL THE TIME AND THEY OWN DOGS AND TO HIS MOTHERS SURPRISE ONE DAY... THERE WAS A ROUND WORM IN HIS DIAPER. WELL SHE FREAKED OUT BUT THE DOCTOR SAID ITS OK AND JUST PRESCRIBED HIM A PILL AND ALL WAS FINE.) SERIOUSLY, DO THE RESEARCH ONLINE. I BELIEVE THE OTHER ANSWER IS RIGHT, ONCE A YEAR BUT THATS ONLY IF YOU DONT TREAT YOUR ANIMALS FOR WORMS REGULARLY. IF YOU TREAT THEM REGULARLY THEN THEY WONT HAVE THEM AND IN TURN YOU WONT GET THEM!

Piffle. We get worms sometimes but not the same type that infect animals.