Roundworm

[Guest dogloverdeb]

We just found out our pup has roundworm. After reading the cycle of the roundworm in a pup (where the larvae reside in the lungs, then the pup coughs up the larvae and then swallows at which point the larvae enter the stomach and then intestines) I am now very concerned about my young children. The pup was coughing for a week or two all over the house which was thought to be kennel cough but now I wonder if it was truly coughing up larvae. My concern is that I have had them clean their hands best I can but they are always playing with the pup. My youngest also sucks his thumb which is also a long standing argument as far as the hand cleaning.

 

With all that said I am very concerned that the children are exposed to the larvae egg. I have read some scary things on the internet about roundworm in humans. Does anyone have any experience with their children being infected with roundworm from their dog. Any idea on ways to test a child to catch the progression early? What symptoms have you seen. Our pediatrician says to look out for their bottom being very itchy - but by that time, that means the investation is quite invasive from what I read. Do vets check gaurdia at the same time they check for roundworm?

 

Since I have learned the pup has roundworms at his most recent visit at the vet for which he is being treated, I have been cleaning my house like a mad woman to make sure I clean for any larvae the pup coughed up - plus he his is still being housebroken and has left his brown markings around the house when I wasn't looking and that I have tried to clean the best I can.

 

Any suggestions on the best rug steamer and/or vacuum.

 

Really will appreciate any feedback on the roundworms and vacuum type suggestions. Thanks.

Edited October 2, 2009 by dogloverdeb

[Batmom]

Ummm .... itchy butt in children is normally caused by pinworms, which they catch from other children, not dogs.

 

Here is some more accurate information about roundworms:

http://marvistavet.com/html/roundworms_in_humans.html

http://marvistavet.com/html/roundworms_in_...___puppies.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/to...ht_toxocara.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/as.../prevention.htm

 

As you'll see, roundworm eggs aren't instantly viable. Your best revenge is to pick up any feces as soon as they're deposited. Your child won't get roundworms simply from playing with or being kissed by the dog, unless your dog has been rolling quite thoroughly in properly aged poop that contains roundworm eggs.

[Guest dogloverdeb]

Ummm .... itchy butt in children is normally caused by pinworms, which they catch from other children, not dogs.

 

Here is some more accurate information about roundworms:

http://marvistavet.com/html/roundworms_in_humans.html

http://marvistavet.com/html/roundworms_in_...___puppies.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/to...ht_toxocara.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/as.../prevention.htm

 

As you'll see, roundworm eggs aren't instantly viable. Your best revenge is to pick up any feces as soon as they're deposited. Your child won't get roundworms simply from playing with or being kissed by the dog, unless your dog has been rolling quite thoroughly in properly aged poop that contains roundworm eggs.

 

Thank you for the information, I feel a tad bit better about the "grace period" between eggs exposed and their viabilty for a chance for good clean up but I tend to be a worrier. Interesting about the pin worms. Would you believe when I first called the Pediatrician office, they couldn't give me any answers right away and had to research and call me back???? The itchy butt was in their call back response so not surprised that their info was incorrect.

[Guest dogloverdeb]

Ummm .... itchy butt in children is normally caused by pinworms, which they catch from other children, not dogs.

 

Here is some more accurate information about roundworms:

http://marvistavet.com/html/roundworms_in_humans.html

http://marvistavet.com/html/roundworms_in_...___puppies.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/to...ht_toxocara.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/as.../prevention.htm

 

As you'll see, roundworm eggs aren't instantly viable. Your best revenge is to pick up any feces as soon as they're deposited. Your child won't get roundworms simply from playing with or being kissed by the dog, unless your dog has been rolling quite thoroughly in properly aged poop that contains roundworm eggs.

 

Thanks for the information. I feel a tad bit better about the "grace period" between the worms exposed and then the viability for good clean up time. I tend to be a worrier and still have concern so I will be watching my kids for any strange symptoms. Would you believe when I first called the pediatrician, they couldn't give me any answers and had to research and then call back??? It is in that callback where they mentioned the itchy butt so not surprised that their response might be inaccurate. Thanks again.

[Guest happygrey]

Our new grey has them as well and I was very worried about this issue. I did find that the likelihood of transmission is very small. You can read more about it in this article:

 

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/573090

 

Hope your guy is now happy and worm free! We just finished the first round of treatment and will repeat in 2 weeks and then followup two weeks after that with a stool test to make sure he is worm free. Can't wait to get this grossness behind us! It makes me queasy just thinking about it!