Be careful with roundworm infection in dogs and cats

Easily confused with other diseases

Most patients who come to the hospital do not think they have the disease. They only have very familiar symptoms such as itching, hives, red rash on the skin or a feeling of fullness and abdominal pain. Many people also think it is just an allergy or an insect bite. Mr. Nguyen Le Duy Ngoc (Dien Khanh commune) said: “I saw many red rashes and swelling on both legs, which was very uncomfortable. Initially, I went to the Dien Khanh Regional Medical Center for testing, then was referred to the Provincial Hospital for Tropical Diseases for further testing. The test results confirmed that I was infected with dog and cat roundworm larvae.”

Blood test for patients suspected of being infected with dog and cat roundworm larvae.

Blood test for patients suspected of being infected with roundworm larvae of dogs and cats.

Dog and cat roundworm infection does not only show a fixed form of symptoms, each patient has different symptoms, making recognition difficult. Some people have rashes, swollen skin; some are often tired, have digestive disorders; some simply have persistent, recurring itching. At the Provincial Hospital for Tropical Diseases, many patients confirmed that they and their families did not raise or have direct contact with dogs or cats; however, when tested, the results were still positive for parasites. Mr. Pham Thai Hoa (Nha Trang ward) shared that his family does not raise dogs or cats, but for the past month, he has often had itching on his neck and body. At first, he thought it was just a common allergy, he bought medicine to take, but then the condition kept recurring. This shows that the risk of infection comes not only from pets in the house but also from the surrounding environment, food, and water sources. Therefore, doctors warn that roundworm infection in dogs and cats is a potential risk in the community, which can happen to anyone, even those who do not have pets.

Many dangerous complications

According to specialist I Le Thi Hoang Ka - Head of the Examination Department, Provincial Hospital for Tropical Diseases, this disease is caused by Toxocara larvae. There are two main routes of infection: One is through food and drink, when the patient accidentally eats food, raw vegetables or drinks water containing dog and cat roundworm eggs. Two is through contact during playing, caring for or working with dogs and cats, causing roundworm eggs to stick to hands and feet. If you do not clean your hands and put them in your mouth, the risk of infection will be very high. Currently, the Provincial Hospital for Tropical Diseases conducts tests to detect dog and cat roundworm larvae. Patients who come for examination will have their test results returned within the day. Therefore, the disease is detected quickly.

From 2022 to 2024, the Provincial Hospital for Tropical Diseases will coordinate with the Central Veterinary Institute to carry out a provincial-level scientific project "Research on some epidemiological characteristics of diseases caused by roundworm larvae infection in dogs, cats and humans; develop a prevention and treatment intervention process in Khanh Hoa province". The research project is on 1,500 people. The results after 2 years of research show that people who raise dogs and cats have a higher rate of infection with roundworm larvae in dogs and cats than people who do not; in families that do not deworm dogs and cats, the infection rate is 1.6 times higher than in families that do; people who regularly hold dogs and cats have an infection rate of up to 59.17%. The infection rate of roundworm pathogens in dogs and cats on vegetables in localities is 18.66%. In which, the infection rate of pathogens on samples of lettuce, mustard greens, pennywort, and herbs is 17.33%; 20.66%; 24.66% and 12%. The most common clinical features in people infected with dog and cat roundworm larvae are itchy skin rash (100%), hives (41%). The rate of patients cured is from 81% to 85%.

However, the worrying thing is that dog and cat roundworm infection often develops silently. Initial symptoms such as fatigue, rash, abdominal pain, digestive disorders, etc. are easily confused with allergies or other common diseases. Therefore, many patients come to the clinic in the late stages, making treatment more difficult and time-consuming. Many people have persistent symptoms such as red rash, prolonged itching, and even swelling in the limbs without finding the cause. Only when doing blood tests, many cases are determined positive for dog and cat roundworm larvae. Specialist I Le Thi Hoang Ka said: “If detected early and treated promptly, the symptoms of the disease will improve significantly. However, many cases come to the doctor too late, when the skin lesions have become serious or prolonged, leaving sequelae that make treatment more complicated and longer. More dangerously, infection with dog and cat roundworm larvae can cause serious complications. The larvae can move to the liver causing hepatitis, to the lungs causing pneumonia, and even to the eyes causing retinitis, reduced vision and risk of blindness. In some rare cases, they can penetrate the brain and nervous system, leading to more serious consequences.”

Medical experts recommend that to prevent infection with roundworm larvae in dogs and cats, each person needs to maintain safe living habits such as eating cooked food and drinking boiled water; washing vegetables and fruits under clean running water; washing hands with soap after contact with dogs and cats and before eating and drinking. In particular, regular deworming of pets, keeping the yard and barn clean to limit the spread of roundworm eggs into the environment. When there are abnormal symptoms such as prolonged itching, recurrent hives, digestive disorders or vision problems, people should immediately go to a medical facility for timely examination and testing.

C.DAN

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/y-te-suc-khoe/202509/can-trong-voi-benh-nhiem-au-trung-giun-dua-cho-meo-6e23d21/