Worming their way through your family

Press Release

Worming their way through your family

Auckland, 13th June, 2014

A pet’s intestinal worms are not easily seen, and your pet doesn’t have to look sick to be carrying and passing on worm infections. Some worm species can produce up to 30,000 eggs each day, which contaminate your pet’s surroundings, and put your family at risk of contracting zoonotic disease (the transfer of infection from animal to human).

One pile of dog poo can contain a million roundworm eggs, which can be absorbed into the soil then carried into your home on your pet’s feet or your shoes. Even if you scoop the poop, the eggs can remain in the soil and be washed all over the place by rain (and coming into winter, we have plenty of that!). In extreme cases, this parasite can cause blindness in humans and children are most at risk.

Worm eggs or worm larvae can also be found in mice, birds and roadkill, which your pet may find and feed on. Plus, some Tapeworms use fleas to get to your pet, because flea larvae eat worm eggs. A larval Tapeworm forms inside the developing flea, which your pet can swallow. This is why it's so important to regularly 'de-flea' and 'de-worm' your pet – for more reasons than your pet’s comfort alone!

Worms are prolific and spread easily, so use these tips from Bayer New Zealand’s Animal Health team to stop the spread and protect your pet and family:

o Use a quality, effective “allwormer” regularly. Drontal® Allwormer treats roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm, and also comes in a tasty liver chew which your dog will be happy to eat (perfect for pets that don’t respond well to tablets!)

o Remove droppings from the backyard daily if possible

o Pick up your pets droppings from public places, such as parks and beaches, to stop parasites from spreading

o Control fleas on your pet – Advantage® is easy to apply, effective against fleas all month long and provides fast relief from bites for your pet

o Change cat litter trays daily

o Wash your hands after playing with your pet

o Avoid letting your pet lick your face

o Do not feed raw meat or offal to your pets

o Keep kennels clean

o Keep sandpits covered

www.bayeranimal.co.nz

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