STRONGYLOIDES INFESTATION
General Information:
Strongyloides stercoralis is a small roundworm found
in cats, dogs, foxes and occasionally people. The worms are about
1/16 of an inch long and live in the intestinal lining. Eggs hatch
while still in the intestine. Larvae (immature worms) are passed
in the feces and can re-infect the host animal or others by being
eaten or by skin penetration.
Diagnosis is by finding the larvae during microscopic
examination of the feces. The specimen must be free from dirt
and relatively fresh to ensure accurate diagnosis.
Loss of appetite, cough, discharge from the eyes
and later development of diarrhea are signs of infection. The
disease lowers resistance to other infections and may resemble
or occur with canine distemper.
Public Health Significance:
People are usually infected by larvae that penetrate
the bare feet as a person walks through contaminated soil. The
larvae travel to the lungs via the bloodstream, and then are passed
in the feces within 2-3 weeks.
Treatment Information:
- Medications-
Numerous medications are available for the treatment
of this parasite. Please use the prescribed medications as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Control:
We hope that you will find this information helpful in your quest
for better pet care. If you have any questions or comments, please call your
veterinarian's office, or feel free to
e-mail us.
David E. Hammett, DVM
and the Staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, PC
