{"id":1724,"date":"2019-06-12T20:32:47","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T20:32:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summeridgeanimalclinic.com\/blog\/?p=1724"},"modified":"2021-11-29T15:58:36","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T15:58:36","slug":"treading-lightly-with-tapeworms-echinococcus-and-your-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.summeridgeanimalclinic.com\/blog\/treading-lightly-with-tapeworms-echinococcus-and-your-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Treading Lightly with Tapeworms: Echinococcus and Your Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It seems like a large part of taking care of pets is working to keep them parasite free. From ectoparasites like fleas and ticks, to blood-borne parasites like heartworm and intestinal parasites, it\u2019s a tough job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we have a pretty good handle on most of these monsters inside, some of them can be nastier than others. Echinococcus multilocularis is one of the more worrisome parasites, and is being diagnosed with increasing frequency here in Canada. Not to worry, though \u2013 your friends at Summeridge Animal Clinic<\/a> are here to help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Getting to Know You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Echinococcus multilocularis<\/a>, also known as the fox tapeworm, is a parasitic worm less than 1 cm long that most often resides in the small intestinal tract of wild canids such as coyotes and foxes. Occasionally it will also complete its life cycle in the dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this parasite is functioning normally, its eggs are shed in the feces of the canid host and are ingested by rodents. The eggs then hatch and migrate into the tissues of the intermediate rodent host, developing tumor-like cysts in a condition called alveolar echinococcosis. If the rodent is then eaten by a wild canid, the parasite can grow into an adult within the canid gut, and the cycle continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problems occur when other species besides rodents ingest the eggs from the feces of the wild canid host. Alveolar echinococcosis can develop in these aberrant hosts, which can include pet dogs and even humans.  When this happens, severe organ damage can occur due to cyst formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Echinococcus and Pets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Echinococcus is a big concern for pet owners for two reasons. Firstly, if pet dogs serve as a definitive host and shed the eggs in their feces, they can become a source of infection to the people around them. Otherwise, if they serve as an intermediate host and develop alveolar echinococcosis it can make them very sick, often with liver disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevention of echinococcus in pets helps to prevent it in people as well. Echinococcus multilocularis appears to be spreading, previously being endemic in the Canadian arctic. It has recently been diagnosed more and more in Ontario<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what can you do to protect your pets and yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n