Oct 27 2007
Easy tips to protect your family and pet from intestinal parasites
Remove pet droppings from your yard daily
You may not be able to tell if your pet has parasites; animals that do not appear to be sick or run-down can shed parasite eggs in their feces that contaminate the environment and some parasite eggs can last for more than a year in the soil.
Practice good hygiene
Wash hands regularly, especially after handling pets or cleaning up pet waste.
Understand the risk, especially for young children who are more likely to put dirty hands in their mouth, and play in dirt, grass or sand.
Deworm your pet on a regular schedule recommended by your veterinarian
Preventive medications, such as those provided by Bayer Parasite Solutions, remove internal parasites and prevent further contamination of the environment to control the transmission of parasitic zoonoses (parasites that are passed from animals to humans).
Clean cat litter boxes daily
This is especially important for families with young children.
Do not allow children to go barefoot, sit or lie on the playgrounds or in parks where they are exposed to animal stools
As fecal matter breaks down, eggs remain in the soil and a dog or child playing in a contaminated area is at risk of exposure to infective eggs or larvae. One common internal parasite is hookworm and their larvae can penetrate the skin.
Keep pets flea-free
Ingestion of fleas can transmit tapeworms to both animals and people. Keep your pets flea free to minimize the risk of tapeworm infection.
Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating
Any food or item that may have been in contact with soil should be washed before ingesting.
Do not drink water, or allow your pet to drink water from streams or other sources that may be contaminated with animal feces.
Credit: www.newscanada.com
Related posts:
