Signs and Symptoms of Domesticated Animal Parasites in Humans

The most common infections of parasites from domesticated animals to humans are from dogs and cats. IMHO (Toxocara) is the most common parasite transferred, according to Stephen Kayes, Ph.D., in his Bionet article, "Dog or Cat Parasites That Infect Humans." According to "Emerging Infectious Diseases," dogs are known to carry up to 11 different types of parasites that may be transferred to humans or other forms of wildlife. Signs and symptoms vary depending on the parasite.

Definition

• Toxocara canis is transferred from dogs to humans, and Toxocara cati is transferred from cats. Both are parasites but the dog version is more common as cats tend to be cleaner animals than dogs.

Causes

• Toxocara is a parasite that infects and lives in the tissue of humans. Humans are infected by eating or swallowing eggs left on surfaces, in dirt or from animal stool, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Symptoms

• Vision difficulties, headaches, fever, coughing, asthma or pneumonia are common symptoms of infection.

Diagnosis

• Doctors can run blood tests to determine if you are infected by the Toxocara parasite.

Treatment

• Anti-parasite drugs possibly combined with anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed to treat a confirmed case of Toxocara in humans.

Prevention

• Dogs and cats should be seen by a veterinarian regularly to make sure they are free of disease. Diseases, transferable or not, can be treated by a veterinarian and will protect your family and your pets.