By Scott Weese on Posted in ParasitesDeworming has become a controversial subject. There are numerous opposing views, strong opinions and conflicts of interest that drive a lot of debate on the subject. There’s no argument that parasites can be bad for pets and some can pose a risk to people. There’s no argument that we want to reduce parasite burdens in… Continue Reading
By Maureen Anderson on Posted in ParasitesThere was another paper published in the August issue of the Canadian Veterinary Journal about Baylisascaris procyonis (roundworms) in raccoons, this time in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Sexsmith et al 2009). The study was actually undertaken after infection with B. procyonis larvae was identifed as the cause of death of several animals in the collection at the… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Dogs,ParasitesThere is a recent paper in Preventive Veterinary Medicine about a study of Giardia in canine stool samples collected from urban green areas around Pisa, Italy (Papini et al). The authors went to parks and similar areas and collected stool samples off the ground. They then tested the samples for the presence of Giardia and (very… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Cats,Dogs,Other diseases,Parasites,SalmonellaThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections Among HIV-exposed and HIV-infected Children. A small but still important part of this document involves recommendations for contact with animals. It’s a nice, balanced document that acknowledges the risk but doesn’t make unnecessarily restrictive recommendations. Among… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Other animals,ParasitesWe’ve written various posts about raccoons, raccoon latrines and concerns about the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis). I received a question today about how to keep raccoons from coming back after a latrine has been identified and cleaned. It’s a good question, and one without a simple answer. I’ve looked through various sources and have found… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Other animals,ParasitesIf you live in the suburbs of Chicago (or probably many other cities as well), chances are pretty good that you live close to a raccoon latrine. Raccoons like to defecate in specific areas (raccoon latrines) which can become highly contaminated with eggs of Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm. Human disease caused by this parasite… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Deworming,Dogs,ParasitesNew research provides more information on the debate about testing and treating of healthy dogs for Giardia. Two abstracts on the subject by researchers at Colorado State University were presented at the recent American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine conference. In the first study (Clark et al), fecal samples were collected from 220 healthy dogs.… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Dogs,ParasitesGiardia is a relatively common protozoal parasite that can cause diarrhea in people and dogs (among other species). It can also be present in healthy pets, with most studies reporting Giardia shedding in approximately 7% of healthy dogs. While recent research indicates that a large percentage of dogs with Giardia carry types that do not… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Deworming,ParasitesThere have been a few press articles lately about the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC)’s traveling roadshow on parasitic zoonoses. Measures to increase awareness about zoonotic diseases and encourage appropriate preventive measures are needed, and traveling shows such as this have the potential to reach wide audiences. However, it’s important for people to critically assess… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Cats,Deworming,Other diseases,ParasitesA reader posed this question, with respect to having raccoons living around the house: "One thing that causes me concern with the raccoon roundworm is the possible danger of infection to my pets and myself through the feces left behind from the raccoons in the yard and possibly in my vegetable garden. Can I acquire… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Cats,Deworming,Dogs,ParasitesA recent study from the Netherlands investigated the prevalence of zoonotic parasites in pet feces and on pets’ haircoats. The authors sampled feces and fur from dogs and cats, and looked for Toxocara (roundworms), Toxoplasma, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. All these parasites are of concern from a public health standpoint because they can be found in… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Dogs,ParasitesGiardia is a protozoal parasite that can cause diarrhea in multiple animal species. This microscopic parasite is a zoonotic pathogen that can be transmitted between animals and humans, and there are conerns about the role of pets in human disease. Various studies have evaluated the presence of Giardia in healthy dogs and, to a lesser degree,… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Cats,Deworming,Dogs,ParasitesCanadian Guidelines for the Treatment of Parasites in Dogs and Cats have recently been released. These guidelines were developed by an expert panel, consisting of six Canadian veterinary parasitologists and two private practitioners. They provide a good, balanced approach to the treatment of parasites, with an emphasis on the risks present in different regions and… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Other animals,Parasites,RabiesA recent question from a reader: "We live adjacent to the Oak Ridges Moraine in Aurora (Ontario) so our property has always been popular to local wildlife. For years, neighbourhood animals have enjoyed dry cat food in our backyard but the town has ordered this practice must stop immediately. Among reasons given, were that this… Continue Reading
By Maureen Anderson on Posted in Cats,Dogs,Other animals,ParasitesSpring appears to have finally sprung in earnest in Southern Ontario (although we may still get one more frost on the weekend, so I hear) and people are getting back out into the garden. An increasingly popular trend in recent years, particularly this year now that the Obama’s are doing it too, is vegetable gardening. … Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Dogs,ParasitesA UK man is on a campaign to raise awareness about Toxocara, following an infection that blinded the child of a family friend. Mike Kennedy, chairman of the Grange Residents’ Association, is raising awareness about the importance of picking up "dog dirt" (i.e. dog stool). Toxocara canis is an intestinal parasite that can be found… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in ParasitesI received this question the other day: I just bought sand for a sandbox that I bought new 3 weeks ago. My granddaughter and I were playing in it and I came across some 2 inch long worms. I had a cover on my sandbox from day one so no animals got into it. I… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Birds,Cats,Dogs,Horses,Other diseases,ParasitesRecently, I made a few comments about climate change and the potential impact on infectious diseases in horses on our sister site, equIDblog. A recent news article in New Scientist discussed concerns about climate change and pets. The main infectious disease concern regarding climate change is changes in patterns and spread of insect-borne diseases, because different… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Other animals,ParasitesProMed mail has a report about 2 cases of Baylisascaris procyonis infection in people in Brooklyn, New York. Baylisascaris is the raccoon roundworm and is very commonly found in the intestinal tract of healthy raccoons. Raccoons shed this parasite in their stool, and after a short period of time, the parasite larvae become infective to… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Dogs,ParasitesI guess there’s now a week for absolutely everything. aPaws, the Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (no, I’m not making this up) has declared April 1-7 to be International Pooper Scooper Week. The overlap with April Fool’s Day is apparently just a coincidence. This group was formed in 2002 in recognition of "the growing… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Deworming,Dogs,Parasites,VaccinationA dog park was closed because of an attempt by a dog-owner to disinfect puddles. The woman was seen pouring a gallon of bleach into a mud puddle, sparking an investigation. The site was closed while city staff pumped out puddles. The woman told the person that witnessed and reported the incident that her dog… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Other animals,ParasitesWe’ve had some beautiful warm days in southern Ontario lately, and spring – technically – arrives tomorrow (despite the fact that it’s been trying to snow in Guelph even this afternoon! But hope springs eternal (pardon the pun)). The picture (right) is Erin, my youngest daughter, enjoying the warmer weather and playing in a sandbox… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Dogs,ParasitesThis rather sensational title is from a Murdoch University (Australia) news article regarding a study of intestinal parasites in Australian dogs. It certainly grabs one’s attention. For me, the article brings to mind two different trains of thought: 1) Far more than 10% of dogs could make their owners sick. Be it dogs, cats, rabbits, iguanas… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Deworming,Dogs,ParasitesI read a press release today entitled "New Parasite Infection Killing Pet Dogs in Southern England". It’s about the lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum. The main reservoir for this parasite in England is the common red fox. Slugs and snails are involved in transmission of the worm as well. Infection of dogs most likely occurs through ingestion… Continue Reading
