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Can humans get worms from dogs or cats?
We recently got two kittens and had to have them de-wormed. My kids asked if people could get worms from dogs or cats and I honestly don't know.
5 Answers
- M A SalamLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
Yes.
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.
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 infestations.
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 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.
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.
Ringworm is very contagious and can spread from cats, dogs and other animals to humans and visa versa.
Threadworm are NOT caught from pets. The most likely transmission of threadworm is from other children.
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.
To help protect your family from the possibility of catching worms from your pets it is essential that you de-worm your pets regularly.
- 5 years ago
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The first is simple; you must win your dogs mind. If you don't achieve this first then you will be struggling the all the way. When I talk about winning your dogs mind what I really mean is that your dog looks to you for all the decisions. Before you do anything else watch one of the amazing video sites that show you the 5 Golden rules to establishing yourself as the pack leader. If you aren't putting these in place then you are setting yourself up to fail. Just at the crucial point where you really want your dog to listen they will go and do their own thing. For sure your dog may play ball occasionally or even most of the time, you may even have a dog that is obedient 99% of the time, however if you want a dog who always listens to you and does as you ask then you need to win your dogs mind.
The second key to success is to motivate your dog. It is really important that you discover what it is that your dog enjoys both in terms of exercise and play but also in terms of a reward. If you can make the experience enjoyable then you will both achieve more and look forward to training.
Some dogs love to fetch, others love agility, and other dogs simply love obedience training, or swimming out into water and retrieve. At least to start with find out what your dogs love is and help them develop this, what I am saying is work with your dog. The other point to recognize is to make training enjoyable reward your dog.
- 6 years ago
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RE:
Can humans get worms from dogs or cats?
We recently got two kittens and had to have them de-wormed. My kids asked if people could get worms from dogs or cats and I honestly don't know.
Source(s): humans worms dogs cats: https://tr.im/BQb64 - Anonymous1 decade ago
Yes you can, just don't let the dog/cat lick your face or any of your dishes and you will be fine.
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