Man and his dog are somehow in close embrace, hogging, nosing, and occasionally kissing. Children are fond of the homely dogs, especially puppy. There is an even bond between a dog and a kid. Kids go as far as sharing a meal together. Which leads us to question – are dog worms contagious?
The high rate of contact between a man and his loved dog poses a high rate of the possibility of sharing some uncommon things together. It is evident that dog worms are contagious.
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How Does A Dog Get Infested With Worms?
In the first instance, let’s look at the possible ways of worm infestation in dogs. No matter the level of a dog’s intelligence, the owner or handler determines her level of hygiene.
Hence, if the hygiene situation around a dog is poor, there is a higher likelihood that he will get infected. If a dog is left straining into areas rife with dog worms infestation, he can easily contract these worms. When there are many dogs yoking together, an infested dog among the lot may likely infect others.
One more possible way through which a dog could get worms is through the mother dog to her puppies. If the mother dog is infested with worms, she could risk infecting her puppies. Puppies tend to eat their mothers’ feces.
What Are The Common Types Of Dog Worms?
There are many types of dog worms, though some are more prevalent than others. For instance, while roundworm is the most common of all the dog worms, heartworm is the rarest. Let’s examine the types of dog worms and their occurrence as well as the effects they have on dogs and man.
Randomly, an infestation of dogs comes when dogs mix with each other. This is irrespective of the breeds. There could be trans-infestation when a dog owner shifts his base with his infested dog. His dog will most likely infect other dogs in the new location if the owner allows it to mingle with them. Trans-infection can also occur when you let an infected dog be in the company of a new set of dogs that have no history of worm infection.
It is safe to check and double check before you allow your dog to mingle with other dogs. This way, you will be able to keep your dog safe from trans-infection.
1. Roundworms
Roundworms are easily transmitted from the host to other dogs. It occurs mostly when a dog gets in contact with the feces or vomit of an infected dog.
What makes roundworms so prevalent is because their eggs and even the worms can remain alive in the soil for many years.
2. Heartworms
Though not as common as the roundworms, they are deemed to be more dangerous than the other dog worms. Funny enough, heartworms are not transmitted between dogs.
Mosquitoes are the common carriers of these worms. In an infested area, mosquitoes can efficiently transmit these worms to dogs around.
3. Hookworms
These worms are too tiny to be seen by the naked human eyes. They can remain for so long a time in the soil making their transmission easier.
You could contract the worms by walking barefooted around the field with a lot of dog poo. Kids are more prone to picking them because they touch and pick anything in the garden.
4. Tapeworms
The most straightforward way of infestation is when a dog ingests the fleas. An infected dog cannot directly infest another. However, the fleas that are the carriers can be transmitted to another dog if the dog ingests it.
5. Whipworms
These worms are stubborn to deal with in dogs. It is not easy to get rid of them from the system of a dog.
When a dog gets in contact with the feces of the infected dog, he becomes infested. Whipworms can remain in the soil for a long time too.
How Can You Be Infested With Dog Worms?
As stated above, constant contact between man and the dog pose the likelihood of contracting dog worms. If you are worried about how to be free from dog worms, maintain a high level of hygiene.
When dog feces are left in the field or on the lawn, man can easily get infected with any worms present. Eggs of most worms remain hooked to some parts of the dog’s body.
The tail, the limbs, and the anus are hosts to worms and the eggs. When you touch, hold or embrace your dog, you may unknowingly be picking up some of the worms.
The worms or their eggs can find their ways into your system. Sleeping with a dog already with any forms of dog worms is a straightforward way to be infested.
Walking barefooted in around where there are dog feces poses a tremendously high risk of infestation. Presence of fleas in or around your house is also another high risk for dog worm infestation.
Dog worms and their eggs have the potential to remain in the soil for many years. It is then possible to inadvertently pick them up, one way or another.
Ways To Avoid Dog Worms
Dog owners and dog handlers need to be careful in handling dogs suspicious of worm infection.
Below are some simple precautions to take to avoid dog worms’ contagion.
- If you keep a dog in your home, maintain a high level of hygiene. Keep your surrounding clean all the time.
- Wash your hands well after touching or holding your dog.
- Take the dog to the veterinarian for checkups on a regular basis. It is safer to continually check your dog to make sure it’s free from worms. This is a good measure of prevention.
- Promptly react to every suspicious sign of worms in your dog by letting a veterinarian check and offer immediate treatment.
- Avoid curdling, embracing, touching or sleeping with an infect dog. Wait until the whole treatment is over.
- Be sure to avoid walking barefooted around where there dog feces. Remember that the worms and their eggs can linger in the soil for many years.
- Vets recommend continuous treatment of areas where your dog poos typically with sanitizer or disinfectant.
- If you ever notice the presence of fleas in your area, make sure you contact the local health personnel for immediate attention. This is to prevent the tapeworms and whipworms from spreading, considering these are usually spread by fleas.
- Finally, take your dog for the worm tests yearly.
So, Are Dog Worms Contagious?
The simple answer is ‘’yes’’. It is now evident that man can quickly pick up lethal sicknesses through dog worms.
Heartworms are known to be very stubborn to get rid of from a dog system, and very deadly to man’s health. You have no say on the extent of worm infestation on your dogs. But you can help the situation by maintaining proper dog hygiene.
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