WORMS AND YOUR PETS

  WORM YOUR KITTEN
   - each fortnight from 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks old
   - followed by monthly until 6 months old
   - then every 3 months for life

 WORM YOUR PUPPY
   - each fortnight from 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks old
   - followed by monthly until 6 months old
   - then every 3 months for life.

The importance of prevention in the control of intestinal worms in dogs and cats should not be underestimated. Some worms that infect pets can pose a significant risk to human health. Children, who are often closest to family pets, are most at risk.

Infections in humans can originate from:

• Ingestion of eggs by not washing hands after playing with pets
• Ingestion of eggs by small children ingesting soil contaminated with faeces
• Penetration of larvae through the skin

Worm infections in humans can cause:

• Fever and an enlarged liver
• Ocular lesions
• Skin lesions

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PET IS INFECTED WITH WORMS?

Internal parasites are not always easy to detect in your pet, however there are some common signs you can watch out for such as:

• Pale gums
• Diarrhoea
• A pot-bellied appearance, especially in puppies and kittens
• Weight loss
• White segments in faeces and/or around the anus
• Anal irritation
• Dull coat
• Coughing, especially in puppies

PROTECT AGAINST WORMS

• Always wash your hands after playing with your pet and prevent dogs from licking your face. This will help prevent transmission of worms from your dog or cat to you!
• Ensure your pets bedding and sleeping areas are always free from fleas, old food scraps and faeces. This will help prevent ingestion of potentially contaminated materials that can cause worm infestation.
• Avoid placing housing, bedding and runs on bare earth.
• Never feed offal to your pet unless it has been boiled for 30 minutes.
• Prevent scavenging of dead carcasses by your pet.