Recently, I was handed a sealed container with “Megan Fox” written on the top. I knew what was in it. As a veterinarian, I'm handed containers like this multiple times a day. But it's unusual that I get to deal with one with a Hollywood starlet's name on it. I chuckled to myself as I set up the fecal sample to be read. “Megan” is a dog who happens to be owned by the Fox family. Megan's stool sample is a very important part of her annual visit to her veterinarian.
I have learned to respect poo. Poo can tell us many things in regards to the overall health of an animal. Consistency, color and contents can all be indicators of certain disease processes. The most common thing veterinarians test for are microscopic eggs from intestinal parasites. Many of these intestinal parasites are transmittable to humans. Humans, especially children and the immune compromised, are susceptible to picking up parasites such as roundworms, hookworms and even tapeworms. One of the most common and major concern with contracting these worms is that they can cause diarrhea and weight loss in both people and animals.
Parasites are good at their job. They live to eat and breed and increase their numbers by passing on their eggs so that they in turn and can do the same. Intestinal parasites deprive a host of nutrients. As the worms grow and develop they will make baby parasites to pass out in the stool of the host which can go out into the environment. These maturing larvae stay outside until they are ready to be picked up by another unsuspecting host where they reach maturity and start the cycle all over again.
How does your pet get these worms? All puppies and kittens have worms until proven otherwise. This is why veterinarians routinely deworm puppies and kittens at their immunization visits. Young animals oftentimes pick parasites up in the environment in which they are born and live. They may even get them directly from their mothers while nursing or even in utero. Otherwise, the soil or other parts of the environment can hold viable eggs for a very long time. Pets get tapeworms from ingesting fleas that are infested with microscopic larvae. Children can pick up tapeworms from ingesting flea larvae in their environment. Therefore, keeping your pet up to date on good quality monthly flea control can also help decrease intestinal and external parasites and protect your family.
Many monthly heartworm and flea control products cover more than just “heartworms and fleas.” Many have labels for other parasites. For instance, Heartgard Plus, which is one of the more common “heartworm pills”, has a label for hookworms and roundworms.
Good hygiene and proper poop patrol are essential in the fight against intestinal parasites in your pet. Proper poop patrol means picking it up as soon as it happens and washing hands thoroughly after cleaning the litterbox regularly. Teaching children to wash their hands thoroughly after playing with the dog or cat is also a good way to decrease the risks. Proper deworming as determined by your veterinarian is vital to getting rid of the pests from your buddy. Often times multiple courses of deworming medications are needed. Teach children that it is dangerous to eat dirt or soil and to avoid areas where animals defecate regularly. Cover sandboxes when not in use to make sure that animals do not contaminate them.
A good reason to bring your dog's fresh bowel movement sample to the veterinarian is to help identify microscopic parasite eggs which may be passed on to you and your family. So please bring us your McDonald's bags, your Gladware, and your baby food jars with a fresh marble-sized sample of your pets' fecal material on an annual basis. We much prefer having a stinky sample that can ultimately help us protect you, your family and your pet than not having one at all.
For more information on parasites that can be transmitted to humans, visit the CDC website
Author: Dr. Marisa Tong
