I think my last question was slightly misunderstood........?

Question

People are seriously freaking me out!

Ok my puppy is 3 months. I have a 3 year old child and I am due to have my second child in 5 days. My puppy JUST TONIGHT LIKE 20 MINUTES AGO pup had an accident and I saw worms in her stool. They looked like little moving pieces of rice. Ok, now, someone answered me saying that it could be from eating cat poo. Which I IRONICALLY just caught the dog doing yesterday for the 1st time and here we are 24 hours later with this problem. The dog isn't around its mother, I AM THE PREGGO ONE, and I am just freaking because I don't want the family getting sick! First thing in the morning she is headed to the vet, I just want to minimize the risk (if there is any) of me or my son or my honey getting it. OR THE CAT for that matter! And if it IS from eating cat poo does that mean the cat could have it as well?

Chetco-

Thanks a ton! Maybe the pup had fleas then before we got her (we have only had her a month) and thats how she got the wormies... thanks!

Answer 1

Those are tape worm segments. They take much longer than 24 hours to develop to that 'shedding' stage.
They are gotten from ingesting fleas..as long as you nor your family eat any fleas, you are safe..Your cat can get them from ingesting fleas as well, so both pets need a wormer...and to get rid of the fleas...

they are NOT the roundworms, as mentioned so eloquently above..those worms appear as moving spaghetti..

Here is what a veterinary site says about humans getting these worms from dogs>>>>> The dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) is a common infestation in domestic dogs and cats. The adult worm lives in the animal's intestines and is about 50 to 70 cm in length. The head, or scolex, consists of four cup-shaped suckers and several rows of hooks by which the worm attaches to the inside of the animal's intestines and feeds. The body of the dog tapeworm is composed of many segments. The closer the segments are to the tail of the worm, the more ripe they become -- each one containing up to 30 eggs. When segments reach the tail of the worm, they fall off and are excreted in the animal's feces. These segments are the shape, color, and look of a cucumber seed (except that they tend to squirm around in the feces and around the anus of the dog or cat). If a dog or cat ingests some of this seed-containing stool it will not become infected -- the eggs themselves are not infectious to mammals. However, the fleas that land on the stool will ingest the eggs. The eggs will hatch and begin to mature inside the body of a flea. When a dog or cat nips at, and swallows, some of the infected fleas, it becomes infected. The larval stage tapeworm, ingested in the flea, is liberated, and attaches and grows into an adult tapeworm inside the animal.

Occasionally, human infants and children become infected with the dog tapeworm. This happens through ingesting larvae-containing fleas. Children will sometimes eat the fleas directly if they are playing in sand or in a spot where the fleas are abundant. Sometimes a dog that has been nipping at the fleas will still have partially digested fleas in its mouth when it licks a child, causing the larval stage tapeworm to be ingested.<<<<

Answer 2

You should have your cat wormed and the dog too. Get someone else to change your cat's litter box while you are pregnant - the dust can result in inhalent infection of your lungs with the cat toxoplasma.

The wiggly stuff in your dog's poo (grains of rice) are tapeworm segments. That does not mean that your dog doesn't also have roundworm too. In fact most dogs do have worms. Adult dogs tend to be resistant to coming down with serious disease from ascaris but may still carry worms all their lives. The worms are not always in the gut and may encyst in their dog's muscles where they cannot be reached by oral wormers. (When mother dogs have their pups, the worms are stimulated by the hormones to grow and move out of the muscles and migrate to the GI tract or cross the placenta so pups can be infected). Some wormers given by injection can help.

Canine hookworm can be a problem if your dog has these and they worms are in the soil around your house. Kids playing in it can get the hookworm up their bare feet.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1622&articleid=747

The vet can prescribe treatments that must be given to the pets regularly to prevent parasite infestations.

Fleas carry tapeworm eggs to both dogs and cats, so flea control can help control tapeworm

Gah, it sounds all more scary than it is. Best wishes to you and your baby to come! Get your pets wormed and for the time being don't clean the cat's litterbox. Let someone else do that.

Answer 3

Sounds like the pup has tapeworm which dogs and cats get from ingesting fleas. Tapeworms are not killed with regular dewormer, you just need to take it into the vets in the morning and they will give it the correct wormer. Might want to take the cat in with you as well, or have the vet give you some to give to the cat because chances are it might have them too.

Answer 4

sounds to me like the puppy has a tapeworm. my dog has had the same problem couple times. the vet just gave us some pills to give the dog and it was all ok in a few days. vet said it was more than likely from eating cat poo or even other dog poo. i don't think it means the cat has it too, but it's possible. i wouldn't be worried if i were you. good luck with your delivery :)

Answer 5

Hi, I have had pets all my life, mainly dogs, and i've found that they all get worms now and then. It isn't anything to freak out over. you or your family won't get worms from them. they have worm pills your can pickup at any of your local stores that carry pet food. If you wonder if your cat has worms just check her litter box and you will know. you can also de-worm them both just to be in the safe side if it will make you feel better. de-wormin pills won't hurt them if they don't have worms. enjoy your animal friends as they will bring many yrs of comfort into your life, remember, they are a family member just like your children. :)

Answer 6

Seek professional help where required. Usually these type of worms don't get to humans - you need to EAT an infected flea. Go to your vet and personal doctor and get it all straightened out. Costs about $25 per animal for a shot to kill this.

Answer 7

My opinion is
1. yes the cat could have it too - intestinal worms or something like that
2. you shouldn't be anywhere near cat poo if you're pregnant, it's very dangerous to be near cat poo, cat pee, cat litter if you're pregnant (I hope you already know that one).
So make your husband or kids take the pets to the vet and stay away and keep your hands very clean.

That's my $.02

Answer 8

# We can get many diseases from dog mess, one of which is called toxocariasis.
# Toxocara are common parasitic roundworms found in dogs.
# A single dog mess infected with worms contains about one million microscopic eggs which can live for up to two years.
# Toxocara eggs are not infectious until at least two to three weeks after they have come out of your dog. Fresh dog mess is not infectious, and you can safely clear up after your dog.
# Toxocara eggs can even be found in areas where dogs are banned, such as children's play areas.
# Common symptoms of toxocariasis in humans are eye disorders, dizziness, nausea (feeling sick), muscle pains and fever.

Answer 9

great story. we all have one about the stresses in our lives. sounds like you need to make a choice between the animals and building a life for your children. what is really important to you?

what do you really get from the dogs/cats that is more important than taking care of your own flesh and blood?

i don't think there is any misunderstanding here.
love your family if you want to be successful

Answer 10

stop freaking out,,, just bring your pets to the vet tomorrow,, and dont let your pets lick you untill you see your vet,,, you can still pet them and stuff,, just not touching the poo, or mouth,,