Canine Worms in Humans

There are certain types of intestinal parasites that people can catch from dogs. Children are more likely to be infected with intestinal parasites than adults for a number of reasons, including their play habits and their often poor personal hygiene habits. However, with some simple precautions--including regularly de-worming the pet and good sanitation--the risk of infection in humans is slight.

Types

• Ascarids and hookworms are the two most common parasites that a human can contract from a pet. Among the other types of intestinal parasites people could contract from dogs are roundworms, coccidiosis and giardiasis.

Infection

• Children are most likely to be infected with intestinal parasites by playing in soil that is contaminated and ingesting the worms' eggs. Adults are most likely to become infected by eating contaminated foods, or by contaminating their hands and accidentally ingesting the parasite's eggs. Hookworms can infect the human body through penetration of the skin.

Illness

• The eggs hatch in the human body and larvae migrate throughout the body. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, gas or bloating, dysentery, rash or itching around the rectum, stomach pain, stomach tenderness, fatigue and weight loss. Medications to treat the infection depend on the type of worm with which you are infected. Medications might include mebendazole, thiabendazole, metronidazole and nitazoxandie.

De-worming

• Puppies especially should be de-wormed regularly according to a schedule established by your veterinarian. After it's a year old, your dog should have a yearly fecal check and de-worming medications given if the fecal check shows signs of infection. If your dog is on a heartworm preventative product, the medication most likely provides de-worming for intestinal parasites each month as well.

Sanitation

• To decrease the possibility of an intestinal parasite infection, make potentially infected areas--such as unprotected sandboxes--off limits to children. Clean up pet feces on a regular basis and always wash your hands after cleaning up after your pet.

Prevention

• To avoid infecting your pet, walk the dog in grassy areas that aren't frequented by other animals. Prevent your pet from eating rodents, including rabbits, which can be carriers of intestinal worms. Prevent your dog from eating earthworms, as these, too, can be carriers. Use good flea control and heartworm preventative products on your dog, preferably products prescribed by your veterinarian. Both of these will help to reduce the likelihood of an intestinal parasite infection.