Parasite Profile

Roundworms may resemble earthworms, but they're a whole lot more dangerous, especially when they get inside a dog, or a person. The roundworm is a patient, persistent parasite that can lay up to 100,000 EGGS IN A SINGLE DAY.3 Once an egg is accidentally ingested by a dog, the roundworm hatches and makes its way through the body to an ideal feeding ground, the intestine.

Targets

Dogs: Most puppies are infected with roundworms transmitted from their mothers prior to or just after birth and through nursing. Dogs and puppies can also be infected with roundworms by consuming infected animals or eggs in the environment.

People: It has been estimated that 14% of the people in the US are infected with roundworm larvae.4

Roundworms can be transmitted to people through hand-to-mouth contact with contaminated soil, sand, plants and objects such as toys and sporting equipment. Children are especially vulnerable to this type of exposure.

Clinical Signs

Roundworms live in the intestines of infected animals, depriving them of nutrients. A heavy infestation of roundworms can block the intestinal tract. Signs of roundworm infection in dogs include weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, malnutrition and weakness. Infected puppies may have swollen abdomens, the "pot-bellied pup" look that only sounds cute, and is anything but. Roundworms may also be visible in the pet's feces.

In people, roundworm infections can have serious and unexpected consequences. Depending on the organs to which the worms migrate, these can be serious, ranging from stomachache to pneumonia and even blindness.

Treatment

Deworming a pet will get rid of roundworms. The deworming medicine essentially tranquilizes the worms so that they lose their grip and pass through the body. The worms can grow up to 7", so deworming isn't pretty, but it is effective. It can take multiple rounds of deworming to completely rid a dog of the roundworms' different life stages.

In humans, treatment usually involves medication, although in serious cases, surgery might be required.

Prevention

Most heartworm preventives also kill roundworms. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for a broad-spectrum product which treats and controls multiple species of roundworms and hookworms.

People should take a conscientious approach to roundworm prevention through frequent hand washing and keeping yards and homes free of animal feces.

REFERENCES:
• 3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases. Guidelines for veterinarians: prevention of zoonotic transmission of ascarids and hookworms of dogs and cats. Available at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/ascaris/prevention.htm Accessed December 16, 2009.
• 4. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases. New CDC study results show Toxocara infection more common than previously thought. Available at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxocara/Toxocara_announcement.pdf December 16, 2009.

   

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: HEARTGARD (ivermectin) is well tolerated. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program.. Following the use of HEARTGARD, digestive and neurological side effects have rarely been reported. For more information, please visit www.HEARTGARD.com