Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to infection by canine intestinal parasites.

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• Are you doing all you can to protect your family?


FACT: Children are more likely to be among the almost 14% of the U.S. population estimated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to be infected with Toxocara (also known as roundworm), an internal parasite that can be passed from animals to people.

Why are children more at risk?

Infants and young children are naturally curious. They love to explore their environment with all their senses.

They crawl, roll and play. On the floor and carpet. In grass, sand and dirt.

They touch. They smell. And, more often than not, things end up in their mouth – especially their fingers… and sometimes even your dog’s toys!

They also delight in sharing cuddles and kisses with your dog.

The fact that they might also be sharing intestinal worm infections with their furry friend is the last thing on their mind. Which is why it has to be on yours…

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• Quick facts about canine intestinal worms .

The following is a quick overview of canine intestinal worms.For more detailed information regarding these parasites and how they affect dogs and humans, click on the text links or visit the “Intestinal worm infection” section.

• There are four major types of intestinal worms that infect dogs: tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms and roundworms (the ones that are most commonly passed on to humans).
• Almost all puppies have intestinal worms, either at birth or shortly thereafter.
• Adult dogs with intestinal worms often show no signs of infection, but continue to pass worm eggs and larvae in their feces, and can quickly contaminate a large area.
• These eggs and larvae can remain in grass, dirt and sand, even after the feces has been removed or washed away. Worm eggs and larvae can survive for months (years, even!) in the environment, even in extreme weather conditions.
• Roundworm infections often go undetected. While infections are not fatal in humans, these parasites have been known to migrate through the body, damaging the liver, the lungs and/or the eyes.

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• How are intestinal worm infections transmitted?



• Your dog could be infected with intestinal worms…
  • at birth, by his mother;
  • by ingesting worm eggs and larvae from a contaminated area (grass, soil, kennel, etc.);
  • by licking his paws or fur.
• Your children could be exposed to infection…
  • through contact with worm eggs and larvae in sandboxes, grass, etc.;
  • by eating dirt or food that has fallen on the ground;
  • by ingesting worm eggs and larvae from your dog’s fur or toys, or by being licked in the face;
  • by neglecting to wash their hands and not practicing good hygiene.

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• What can you do to protect your family?



• Learn all you can about intestinal worm infections.
• Monitor your dog’s behavior and be on the lookout for signs of intestinal parasites (but remember that most adult dogs don’t have any symptoms!):
  • worms or small white objects that look like grains of rice in your dog’s stool, fur or quarters;
  • round belly, low energy, diarrhea and/or vomiting (mostly in young puppies).
• Keep your lawn, garden and play areas around your home clean and free of waste.
• Pick up your dog’s feces immediately and dispose of it.
• Cover sandboxes when not in use.
• Teach your children to:
  • recognize and avoid potentially contaminated areas;
  • wash their hands after playing with pets or outside, especially before handling food;
  • discourage your dog from licking their face;
  • practice good pet hygiene.
• Take your dog to the veterinarian on a regular basis and set up a parasite control program adapted to your region and to your lifestyle.
• DO NOT rely exclusively on monthly heartworm prevention products to protect your dog from intestinal worms.
  • Heartworm prevention products do not cover all major intestinal worms in dogs.
  • Because of the life cycle of some worms, there may be gaps in protection with once-a-month products.
• Supplement your dog’s heartworm prevention program with regular deworming (at least twice a year), using broad-spectrum Safe-Guard® (fenbendazole) Canine Dewormer.
• Deworm a new dog who joins your family immediately upon arrival, and again two weeks later.

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