G’day fellow pet lovers!
Awareness is your key weapon in combating parasites prevalent in our furry friends, especially given the recent weird weather we’ve seen across Australia. A warm, damp climate fosters the quick spread of parasites such as Toxocara roundworms that could potentially also infect us hoomans.
Toxocara roundworm infection in humans is more common than we might like to think, and this exposure is often through accidental ingestion of the worm’s eggs found in contaminated soil – unwashed hands or food being the common culprits. Patchy weather creates ideal conditions for these parasites to lay their eggs in public places such as parks or beaches, making it easier for both your pets and yourself to become hosts.
Now, these worms have a rather unpleasant lifecycle. In the unfortunate event you become infected, these parasites travel around your body causing tissue damage. The severity of the damage might range from mild to life-threatening, but severe human disease is rarely reported Down Under.
Precautions to minimise the risk posed by these parasites include picking up and properly disposing of pet faeces, washing hands after interacting with potentially contaminated objects or soil, and deworming pets monthly. To make this easier, the Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Advisory Panel has developed a handy set of guidelines to follow:
- Prompt cleanup and disposal of pet faeces.
- Regular deworming of pets.
- Year-round treatment of pets for external parasites.
- Routine vet check-ups.
- Avoid feeding raw meat to pets.
Remember, our pets bring countless joys and contribute greatly to our overall wellbeing. Caring for them is integral to our own health as well. Stay vigilant, and if in doubt, always consult your vet.
References:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3787682
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36007621/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30142562/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28781085/
Cheerio, mates!
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