Is your child losing weight despite a huge appetite? Does he complain of frequent diarrhea and stomachache?
Worse, does he seem to have the same symptoms as your pet dog? He may have a worm infestation possibly picked up from his canine buddy.
The dog days are here and with the dry season comes ticks, fleas and worms in the stomach for your pets, say doctors here who are treating city kids for worms in the stomach.
“Most Indians may have a few parasitic worms in their stomach, as our soil, fruits and vegetables, and even food is contaminated.
However, the worms become a problem when they start multiplying, or traveling across the body,” said city-based pediatrician Dr Kalpana Sridharan who treats children with anemia and micronutrient-deficiencies due to worm infestation.
“Parasitic worms can travel and live anywhere in the body. We have seen cases of tapeworms lodging themselves in the brains and lungs of little children. If the worms have multiplied, they can form a ball and obstruct the intestines,” said Dr Kalpana.
Sypmtoms of worm infestation include frequent bouts of stomachache and diarrhea, lack of appetite or unusually large appetite, itching of the anus and restlessness.
“If the family pet or even one member of the family is diagnosed with worm infestation, then we have to treat all members,” said Dr Kalpana.
“There are many worms that can be transmitted from a pet animal to other members of the family. Of these the most common are hookworms, pinworms and tapeworms.
The eggs of these worms are found either in the fecal matter of the animal, or inside cat and dog fleas,” explained Dr P. Thangaraju, former vice-chancellor, TN Veterinary University.
Puppies need to be given de-worming medicines every three months and adult dogs should be de-wormed at least once a year, said Dr Thangaraju.