Latest news with #Echinococcusgranulosus
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Should you let your dog lick your face as vet warns of hidden health dangers
Scots owners may not mind a quick smooch with their dog but the consequences could be life-threatening Dogs are called man's best friend for a reason, because for many people across the world, they are their owner's closest companion. Pooches share in the joy of special moments and provide comfort in the difficult ones. To repay them for their love and loyalty, many owners may be partial to a smooch with their dog, or letting their cute canines lick their face when they greet them at the door or get excited after snack time. However, letting your dog lick your face could come with a host of hidden dangers. Last week, it was revealed that a 26-year-old pregnant woman had developed a hydatid cyst caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. This was most likely transmitted through contact with dog faeces, according to the Daily Mail. This has raised concerns about the common habit of allowing our furry friends to give us 'kisses'. To set the record straight, Dr Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at UK-based pet insurance company Waggel, has stepped in to explain why this intimate greeting might deserve a second thought. "Whilst we all love to show affection with our pets, it's important to understand what might be transferred during those face licks," says Dr Warner. "Dogs' mouths harbour numerous bacteria, including Capnocytophaga canimorsus, which can cause serious infections in humans in rare cases." There were 15 reported cases of Capnocytophaga infections in England during the first quarter of 2023, making a total of 70 cases for the year. These figures are consistent with previous years, as per the UK Health Security Agency. As a result, Dr Warner has highlighted three key facts pet owners should know. Not everyone faces the same risk People with weakened immune systems, the elderly, those without a spleen, and individuals with liver disease or who consume alcohol excessively face substantially higher risks from dog saliva exposure. Infections can be life-threatening if untreated When Capnocytophaga enters the bloodstream, it can cause sepsis, gangrene requiring amputation, kidney failure, and a heart attack. In severe cases, the mortality rate can reach 30 per cent, particularly in vulnerable populations. Symptoms progress rapidly and require immediate attention Initial signs appear within one to eight days and include blistering around wound sites, fever, vomiting, headache, and muscle pain. Without prompt antibiotic treatment, the infection can quickly escalate to septic shock with dangerously low blood pressure, confusion, and organ failure. Dr Warner offers these practical recommendations: Redirect face licks to less sensitive areas like hands, which can be washed afterwards Wash your face and hands thoroughly after close contact with pets Keep pet vaccinations current and maintain regular dental check-ups for your dog Consider scheduling biannual vet visits to monitor your pet's oral health Seek immediate medical attention if you develop unusual symptoms after a dog lick The last one is especially important if you have open wounds or are immunocompromised. "The bond we share with our dogs is built on love, loyalty, and daily connection," Dr Warner added. "We don't need to shy away from that closeness, but we do need to understand the health implications that come with it. "With some awareness and simple hygiene, we can continue enjoying our pets' affection safely and confidently." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Vet warns pet owners after common dog behaviour linked to massive parasite inside woman's body
What does the doctor say? Where is this parasite found? How to avoid this? How serious can it turn for humans A case from Tunisia has reignited an important health conversation about the hidden dangers of a common behaviour many pet owners find endearing—letting their dogs lick their faces. While millions of dog lovers share affectionate moments with their furry companions, experts are warning that this harmless gesture could, in rare cases, open the door to a potentially life-threatening recently discovered a massive cyst, double the size of a tennis ball, in the pelvis of a 26-year-old woman who was 20 weeks pregnant. The woman had endured months of abdominal pain before being rushed to the hospital, where scans revealed a hydatid cyst—a growth caused by a tapeworm infection. The condition, known as cystic echinococcosis, is caused by the Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm, most commonly transmitted through dog case was detailed in the Open Journal of Clinical & Medical Case Reports under the title "Omental hydatid cyst in pregnant women: A rare localization." The patient was from Tunisia, where the parasite is considered endemic. Researchers noted the woman's condition was rare and dangerous, especially during pregnancy, but she was treated the exact source of the woman's infection was not confirmed, the case has raised concerns among veterinarians, who are urging dog owners to be mindful of certain health risks. Dr. Aimee Warner, a veterinarian at pet insurance company Waggel, noted that letting dogs lick faces, particularly near the mouth or eyes, can pose hygiene humans don't become infected by adult tapeworms living in a dog's body, they can inadvertently ingest the parasite's eggs through faecal contamination. If a dog has traces of faeces on its mouth or fur and then licks a person, there is a small but possible risk of parasite thrives in areas where livestock are raised, and dogs may scavenge on infected animal remains, which contain larvae. Once ingested, the larvae mature into tapeworms in the dog's intestines. The eggs are then shed in the animal's stool, potentially contaminating the environment and putting humans at per the vet, regular deworming of dogs and practising good hygiene, especially after handling pets or letting them near the face, can significantly reduce the condition is extremely serious in humans, often impacting the liver, lungs, or other organs. In this particular case, the cyst formed in the omentum (a fold of tissue in the abdomen), which is an uncommon site of infection. If left untreated, hydatid cysts can grow and rupture, leading to life-threatening complications. Especially in vulnerable groups like pregnant women, early detection and surgical intervention may be the only way to avoid severe consequences.
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Veterinarian warns against seemingly harmless activity with your dog — after massive parasite was found in woman's pelvis
It's just doggone bad luck. Doctors discovered a cyst twice the size of a tennis ball in the pelvis of a pregnant woman who was rushed to the hospital following months of abdominal pain. 3 One veterinarian has issued a warning over a habit treasured by dog owners over fear of tapeworm infection. Ben Ali et al., Open Journal of Clinical & Medical Case Reports They successfully saved the 26-year-old woman — who was 20 weeks pregnant — before running scans that revealed it was a hydatid cyst, a growth formed by a tapeworm infection that humans most commonly get from interacting with dog poop. While the case study did not specify what caused the cyst, one veterinarian is letting dog owners know a possible culprit could lie in a treasured activity: letting a dog lick your face. 'Ideally, dogs should not lick faces, especially around the mouth or eyes, as a matter of health,' Dr. Aimee Warner, a resident veterinarian at pet insurance company Waggel, told the Daily Mail. 'Humans are not infected by the adult tapeworms within the dog, but instead ingest Echinococcus eggs passed in dog feces by accident. If a dog has fecal soiling on its mouth or coat and then licks someone, there is a potential — albeit rare — for transmission.' To avoid contracting the disease, Warner recommends keeping your dog away from raw meat and livestock, getting the pooch dewormed regularly and maintaining good personal hygiene. 3 'Good pet ownership can be the difference in preventing risks,' she said. Getty Images/iStockphoto 'Good pet ownership can be the difference in preventing risks,' she said. The female patient was from Tunisia, where the researchers note that the Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm is 'very common.' This parasite can lead to severe liver damage in humans and is increasingly being reported in parts of Europe, Canada and the US. 3 To avoid contracting the disease, Warner recommends keeping your dog away from raw meat and livestock, getting the pooch dewormed regularly and maintaining good personal hygiene. Getty Images While rare, cases are reported annually in states like Arizona, New Mexico, California and Utah — and are more prevalent in rural areas, particularly those with dogs and sheep. In 2018, a 35-year-old woman complaining of tingling in her feet was found to have a tapeworm lodged in her spine. In 2020, doctors were stunned to discover that a woman's bulging eyes were caused by a cyst that was filled with baby tapeworms. And in 2024, a New York mother discovered her persistent seizures had been caused by tapeworm eggs in her brain.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Urgent warning to dog owners over common mistake after woman contracts horrifying parasite
Vets are warning pet owners after a 26-year-old pregnant woman developed a massive parasitic cyst in her abdomen —likely caught from a dog. The woman, 20 weeks pregnant, had suffered months of stomach pain before doctors discovered a cyst twice the size of a tennis balls lodged in her pelvis. Emergency surgery saved her and the baby before it burst and released its toxic contents. Tests revealed it was a hydatid cyst — a rare, potentially deadly growth caused by a tapeworm found in infected dog feces or saliva. While rare in the US, the parasite can be transmitted when people ingest eggs from contaminated surfaces or dog licks. Dr Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at pet insurance company Waggel, has issued a warning to pet owners on the back of the case. She told 'Ideally, dogs should not lick faces, especially around the mouth or eyes, as a matter of health.' The anonymous patient's case was detailed in the Open Journal of Clinical & Medical Case Reports. Doctors wrote the woman was from a rural area in Tunisia, a 'breeding country' that remains one of the most infested by the tapeworm known as Echinococcus granulosus. While the parasite is typically found in the feces of dogs, the doctors did not specify how the Tunisian woman came to be infected. Dr Warner said the parasite isn't prevalent in pet dogs in most urban or suburban environments, but is seen in areas where livestock is raised and where dogs may consume the organs of infected animals infested with the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus. After ingestion, the parasite grows into a mature tapeworm within the dog's intestines and its eggs are eliminated in the animal's stool - where humans may be exposed. Humans do not become infected with the adult tapeworm, but develop the condition after they ingest the eggs. Dr Warner added: 'Humans are not infected by the adult tapeworms within the dog, but instead ingest Echinococcus eggs passed in dog feces by accident. 'If a dog has fecal soiling on its mouth or coat and then licks someone, there is a potential — albeit rare — for transmission.' Treatment in dogs consists of administering a dewormer - a type of medication formulated to kill the worm and rid the infected animal of the parasite. In humans, hydatidosis is much more challenging to treat, Dr Warner told this website. It usually requires surgery to remove the cysts and a regimen of antiparasitic medications. To avoid contracting the parasite, Dr Warner said to maintain good personal hygiene, keep your dog from coming into contact with raw meat or livestock, avoid dogs at a higher risk of being exposed to Echinococcus granulosus and make sure your dog regularly gets a dewormer. She added: 'Good pet ownership can be the difference in preventing risks.'
National Geographic
25-03-2025
- Health
- National Geographic
Why raw pet food isn't worth the risk
And in light of the growing raw pet food trend, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, the FDA, and the Centers for Disease Control have all issued statements advising against raw diets. What's wrong with a raw food diet for your pet? 'What is very evident are the possible disadvantages and risks, for the pet and the owner,' Varcasia says. Pets that eat a raw food diet can be exposed to parasitic infections—like Toxoplasma gondii, the leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., and Echinococcus granulosus, a tapeworm that can cause gastrointestinal issues and may be fatal if spread to humans, which can happen through direct contact with food or via contaminated surfaces. Bacterial contamination can occur too, since Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria are commonly found in raw meat and can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in animals and humans. A 2023 Salmonella outbreak in humans was linked to handling raw dog food, and a 2017 E. coli outbreak in humans was tied to dogs that were fed a raw diet. Now, bird flu joins the list of possible germs that can get into raw pet food, likely due to infected chickens being used as an ingredient (on farms, bird flu killed over 20 million chickens in 2024). 'Cats and dogs can be infected if they eat sick or dead infected wild birds, drink unpasteurized milk or cream from infected cows, or eat undercooked or raw meat from infected ducks and chickens,' says Iowa State University veterinary pathologist Silvia Carnaccini. How to protect your pets (and yourself)
