Intestinal parasites can infect both animals and humans. They live in and feed off a host. Common intestinal parasites include roundworms and hookworms which can be passed from pets to people. It is important to practice good hygiene like washing hands after contact with animals and cleaning up pet waste. Intestinal parasites may not cause obvious symptoms but can still make people sick. Routine deworming and veterinary checkups are recommended to prevent the spread of parasites between pets and their owners.

1. Intestinal
Parasites
What theyare andhow do
theyaffect yourhealth
IntestinalParasites
AccordingtotheCDC,a
parasiteisanorganismthatlivesonorin
ahostandgetsitsfoodfromoratthe
expenseofitshost.
ByJamieBerger
Didyouknow?
 Companion animals can
carry andpass parasites
topeople.
 Puppiesand kittensare
more likely tobeinfected
byparasites, suchas
roundwormsand
hookworms.
 Fleas andtickscan be
seen withthenaked eye,
butthereare microscopic
intestinal parasites that
can onlybefoundon
Waystoprotectyourself
 Puppiesand kittensshouldbe
dewormed
 Fecal examinations should takeplace
yearly
 Practice the fourPs:Pickuppoop
promptlyanddispose ofproperly(CDC).
 Washhands frequently,especially after
touchinganimals
 Avoidcontact withanimal feces with
bare handsandfeet.
Zoonoticdisease
 Is adisease thatcanbe passedbetween
animals andhumans
 Can becaused byviruses, bacteria,
parasites and fungi.
 Thetypes ofsymptomspeople display
can bedifferent foreach person.
 Somepeople can getverysick, while
othersshowno signsor symptoms
 Don’tlet children playin areas where
poopispresent.

2. VeterinaryPublicHealth
"[T]hesumof all contributionstothe
physical, mental andsocial well-
beingof humansthroughan
understandingand application of
veterinary science" (WHO).
7quicktipsforprotectingdogs
andfamilies:
1.Pickupyour dog’swaste regularly,
especiallywhere childrenandanimals
play.
2.Washyourhandsafterdisposingof
yourpet’swasteandafterexposureto
soil.
3.Coversandboxestopreventother
animals andstraysfromcontaminating
thoseareas.
4.Donot letchildrenputdirtintheir
mouth andmakesuretheywashtheir
handsafterplayingoutdoors.
5.Checkyourdogandfamilyfortickson
adailybasis.Ifyoufindone,removeit
rightaway.
6.Haveyourdogtestedforintestinal
parasitesandotherparasitic infections
annually.
7.Talkwithyour veterinarianabout
parasiteinfectionsandtheirrisks.
Frequentlyaskedquestions:
CanIget infections from my dog?
You and your family canbecome infectedwith some
parasites the same way as your pets. It most often
occurs by contact with infectedticks or poop
containing eggs or larvae.
How are infections diagnosed?
A simple screening test from your veterinariancan
let you know right away whether your dog has been
exposed tothese infections and iffurther treatment
is required. Oftentimes, you will need tobring ina
stool sample todetermine ifyour pet has intestinal
worms.
Whichparasites canmy dog get?
Dogs are susceptible tofleas, ticks and mosquitoes.
They are also predisposed tointestinal parasites
such as hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.
Canmy dog get infected andnot show signs?
It is possible for your pet tobe infected without any
signs ofillness. It is important topay close attention
toyour pet’s behavior and screen them regularly for
parasitic diseases.
How can mydog be infected?
Some worms can be passed from mother topup or
Data and information was collected from IDEXX
Laboratories, theWorld Health Organization and the
Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention.