PETS The Scoop on Poop
by Barbara McManus, RVT
www.vcahospitals.com/san-martin
O
ver my years working as a vet- erinary professional, I’ve dis- covered the importance of
poop! Probably the most common medical condition I see in both dogs and cats is intestinal parasites. Often, many owners aren’t even aware that their pet has these intestinal intruders. This is why we always recommend a fecal examination every 6 months. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the importance of checking the stool because more often than not, a pet can have parasites, but appear com- pletely healthy. The most common intestinal para-
sites found in dogs and cats are tape- worm, hookworm, and roundworm. These parasites can be a serious prob- lem in young kittens and puppies and can even be fatal in some cases. Adult pets, especially debilitated or immunosup- pressed animals, can also be more severely affected. Many of the parasites can be transmitted to humans as well. Children and the elderly are most susceptible. Detection of these parasites is done by a simple test on your pet’s poop! A small
PHOTO:
WWW.JACQUIPATERSONS.CO.UK
sample of your pet’s fresh poop can be submitted to a lab for detection of the parasite. Treatment of a dog or cat involves the
use of various anthelminitics or de-worm- ers. A severe infection can sometimes require surgical removal of the adult worms. It is easier and cheaper to prevent the infections before they start. Routine de-worming of puppies and kittens at a
young age as well as starting a daily or monthly parasite prevention regimen is the best choice for you and your pet. Hookworm, particularly
Ancylostoma, is one of the most patho- genic of the intestinal parasites. The adult worm attaches to the lining of the intestines where it feeds on blood. As a result of the blood feeding, the hook- worm can cause severe anemia in pets. The larvae can enter a host, which can be you or your pet, either by mouth or through the skin. Children can easily become infected by hookworm walking around barefoot at playgrounds or any- where a dog may defecate. These may cause a skin rash. Roundworm are free living nema- todes found in the intestines. They can
infect puppies and kittens through their mother’s milk and can also be transmitted via infected eggs shed in the feces. Humans can also obtain these parasites through the same fecal-oral route. This is one reason why good hygiene is impor- tant; for example, washing your hands after cleaning the litter box. ~ continued on page 40
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Out & About • April 2012 39
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