FECAL TEST FOR INTESTINAL PARASITES IN PETS

FECAL TEST FOR INTESTINAL PARASITES IN PETS Pets can get intestinal parasites that may cause severe damage to intestinal wall resulting in loose stool with or with out blood, anemia, protein loss, lethargy and weight loss leading to severe illness. Unfortunately, these parasites can be transferred to HUMAN / PEOPLE especially kids / children and immuno-compromised people are at more risk. Parasite eggs are passed out in the infected animal feces, hatch into infective stages in the soil, can travel by fomites, from there can infect new host when they are coming in contact with contaminate areas. Puppies and kitten are getting the parasitic infestation while they are nursing their moms and moving around on the fecal contaminated nesting areas. Diagnosis of the parasitic infestation can be made by running a fecal test. Multiple testing may be required in some cases. Positive cases should be treated with appropriate de-worming medications immediately. As precaution, fecal material from the infected pet should be removed from the area to stop the re-infection and further transmission to other pets and humans. Washing your hand immediately after handling the fecal material or using the gloves is recommended when handling contaminated fomites or fecal samples. Here are some of the common intestinal parasites that can be transferred to human from cats and dogs ROUNDWORM & HOOKWORM INFECTION These are most common type of worms living in the intestines of your pets (called as intestinal parasites). When eggs go in the body, they start hatching to complete their life cycle. Infected pets can pass out the eggs and can contaminate the area that becomes source of infection for other pets. Pets of all ages can be effected but puppies/kittens are at greater risk of getting the infection. Puppy/kitten can get infection from mom before birth or shortly after birth through milking. Problem is ZOONOTIC that means human also can get infection from pets especially small children are at greater risk. These worms can effect internal visceral organs like liver/lungs and other organs, eyes, nerves or skin in humans, may cause itchy blistering rashes when larvae migrate under the skin. These larvae can cause damage to other internal organs including intestines. The problem can be diagnosed by running a fecal test and if comes positive, pets can be treated accordingly to avoid further damage inside the pets body and to minimize further spread to other pets and humans. In some case multiple fecal examinations may be required especially in light infestations. That is why routine fecal examination is important for your pet as well as for your own safety. As the eggs can adhere to many surfaces and become mixed in soil and dust, strict hygiene should be observed by people, particularly care should be taken for small kids if the area is contaminated or soiled. To avoid these problem routine de-worming in puppies, adults and breeding pets is recommended. WHIPWORM INFECTION It is a type of worm that mainly damages the large intestine. Adult worms may vary from 40 to 70 mm in length. Infection occurs when pets are exposed to feces or lick the eggs from a contaminated environment. In mild infections, you may not notice any signs and these cases are only diagnosed when routine fecal testing is performed, but heavy worm load can cause bloody stool with mucous, even untreated cases may predispose to intussuption. Due to Sodium loss, some pets can show SEIZURE like activity. Extreme dryness, cleaning and getting rid of moist areas can reduce the risk of infection but difficult to control because eggs are extremely resistant and can survive up to 5 years in the environment. The incubation period for this worm is lengthy (in months), so infected pets should be treated for three months. Due to the presence of highly resistant eggs in the environment, chances for re-infection are there, so monthly preventive de-worming is recommended after the treatment. TAPE WORM INFECTION Tape Worms, also known as cestodes, is a kind of intestinal parasite that can effect both cats and dogs. Problem is seen in both USA and Canada. Pets can get the infection from fleas, lice, mice and rats or having access to infected areas. Hunting pets can acquire the worms from various mammals, raw meat and offal from domestic and wild ungulates. Infection is mainly transferred by eating parts that contain infective stages of worms. Eggs are passed out in feces of infected pets that become a source of further contamination for other pets as well as people. Various rodents, rabbits, hares, squirrels, frogs, snakes, cope pods, sheep, goats, cattle, pig, horses, deer, moose, birds and other arthropods can serve as intermediate host for tape worms. Adult worms can cause intestinal damage but severity depends upon level of infection, pets age and health condition and also host defense system. Clinical signs are variable starting from none to serious including unthriftiness, malaise, irritability, capricious appetite, shaggy coat to colic and mild diarrhea. In certain cases, untreated cases can turn to intestinal intussusceptions, emaciation and seizures. Tape Worms has ZOONOTIC potential and can effect people, particularly infants are the main victim. Fecal examination is recommended to find out the problem in suspected cases. As tape worm of pets may be of both economical and public health importance, so proper measures should be taken to control the problem and to avoid any further contamination. For proper control of worms in pets you may require therapy and preventive de-worming on regular basis. COCCIDIOSIS INFECTION A protozoan parasitic infection that can cause damage to intestinal area in both dogs and cats, resulting in diarrhea (sometimes blood may also be seen in the stool). Young pets are more clinically effected than older ones. Risk factors that predispose to infection include stress, over density and immunosuppression. Pets can get the infection when they lick the contaminated environment. Oocyst have resistant wall and can survive up to 1 yr or more in the environment. It is near to impossible to prevent exposure to coccidia in dogs and cats. Avoiding predisposing risk factors can minimize the chances for clinical cases. Providing warm dry environment to the pets with well balanced diet and avoiding any stressful conditions including over population at a certain place, controlling the insects and taking proper sanitary measures can lower the chances of infection. It can be a threat for PEOPLE especially in immunocompromised individuals. So clean the litter boxes carefully, wash your hands immediately or preferably use gloves. If you have any questions regarding the FECAL TEST for intestinal parasites in pets, please feel free to call at our clinic number. Rivard Animal Hospital 5635 Tecumseh Rd E., Windsor ON N8T 1C8 Ph # 519-974-7387 www.rivardanimalhospital.com, www.facebook.com/rivardanimalhospital

PET MEDICINE IN WINDSOR

CAT SPAY SURGERY IN WINDSOR

FLEA PREVENTION IN WINDSOR

VETERINARIANS IN WINDSOR - RABIES VACCINE

RABIES Rabies Virus that is nearly always highly fatal and ZOONOTIC problem caused by RhabdoVirus, mainly damaging the nervous system. Cats, Dogs, Horses, Sheep, Goats and HUMAN of all ages can be effected by this viral disease. Wild animals like Foxes, Wolves, Raccoons, Skunks, Bats and Rodents can be a source of infection to other pets. Contact with wildlife and negligence in vaccination against Rabies are main risk factors. Most common way of disease transmission is by bite but scratching by the effected animal can be a source of infection if nerve endings were exposed to virus. If pets are exposed to bat colonies, they can inhale the aerosolized virus particles and can catch the infection. Large amount of virus is present in salivary glands of effected animal and may start shedding through saliva a couple of weeks before showing any neurological signs of the disease. Following bite or scratch from infected animal, virus travels through nerve endings, replicates and damages the nervous system. Development of signs can take weeks to months. Clinical signs of the disease are variable and are mainly due to damaged nervous system. Some pets may show behavior changes, hyper salivation and paralysis OR may turn into furious form with more aggression and biting attitude. Unfortunately, once clinical signs develop, there is no treatment available. Suspected pet should be confined and quarantined under supervision. Death may occur within 10 days after the clinical signs has been developed. Public Health Unit recommended that if any pet bites or scratches to owner or other human, the pet should be placed under observation for 10 days from the date of incidence of bite or scratch. As the disease is a threat for human also, regular RABIES VACCINATION is required BY LAW in many areas for all pets regardless they are indoor cats or dogs or outdoor pets. Vaccines are injected to develop immunity against infectious diseases; some of these could be seriously fatal if puppies / kitten / cat / dogs are not properly vaccinated. Pet vaccination is highly recommended to build up a strong defense against those infectious and contagious diseases. Proper measures taken in time can help to enhance the quality of life for your pet. Some diseases like Rabies, Lyme or Leptospirosis, are a threat for human also, thus proper vaccination against such diseases can protect you, your family and other people in contact with your pet. Rabies vaccination is given first at 14-16 weeks of age and boosted one year later. Annual update on Rabies vaccine is recommended. Risks Associated with Vaccines In general vaccines are safe but still some pets can show allergic reaction to certain part of vaccines, though chances are rare and generally are mild, of short duration and can resolve by their own. Call your veterinarian if you noticed any serious side effect or allergic reaction. Symptoms may include Vomiting, Diarrhea, Facial swelling, Severe scratching, Hives or Difficult breathing. Mild lethargy after vaccines is a normal and does not require any treatment, generally subsides in 24-48 hours. Never use human pain killers as some of them are highly TOXIC for pets. PREVENTIVE CURE is highly recommended to avoid serious and complicated problems and includes regular updates on vaccines, de-worming on regular basis, regular Wellness Exams 1-2/year, dental care, weight management and flea prevention. Please feel free to call at clinic number if you have any questions regarding Pet Health Care issues. =============================================================== Rivard Animal Hospital 5635 Tecumseh Rd East, Windsor, ON N8T 1C8 Ph # (519) 974-7387 www.rivardanimalhospital.com, www.facebook.com/rivardanimalhospital,

PET FOOD IN WINDSOR