What are the signs and symptoms of exposure to worms from a puppy?

Signs and Symptoms of Exposure to Worms from a Puppy

The most common signs and symptoms of human exposure to worms from puppies include fever, skin irritation, itching, abdominal pain, eosinophilia, respiratory symptoms like cough and wheeze, and in some cases, urticarial rash. 1

Common Types of Worm Infections from Puppies

Toxocara canis (Dog Roundworm)

• Causes visceral larva migrans (VLM) when larvae penetrate the gut mucosa and enter the bloodstream 1
• Most common in children under 5 years old, though adults can be infected through raw meat consumption 1
• Symptoms include:
  • Fever and persistent eosinophilia 2
  • Respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, wheeze, cough) 1
  • Abdominal pain and hepatosplenomegaly 1
  • Urticarial rash 1
• Infection occurs through ingestion of soil containing Toxocara eggs from dog feces, particularly when children crawl on contaminated floors 2

Dipylidium caninum (Dog Tapeworm)

• Transmitted when humans accidentally ingest infected fleas from dogs 3, 4
• Most commonly affects infants and young children who may swallow fleas while crawling on the floor or handling pets 2
• Many cases are asymptomatic, but can cause:
  • Mild gastrointestinal symptoms 2
  • Visible tapeworm segments in stool 4

Hookworms (Ancylostoma species)

• Infection occurs when larvae penetrate bare skin that comes in contact with contaminated soil 2
• Symptoms include:
  • Skin irritation at entry site 1
  • Itching that can persist for days 1
  • Intestinal symptoms (rare in humans) 2

Risk Factors and Transmission

• Direct contact with puppies carrying parasites 1
• Ingestion of soil or materials contaminated with puppy feces 1
• Poor hand hygiene after handling puppies 3
• Crawling on floors where puppies have been (particularly for infants) 2
• Walking barefoot on soil contaminated with puppy feces (hookworm) 2
• Accidental ingestion of fleas from infected puppies (tapeworm) 3, 2

Special Considerations

Children at Higher Risk

• Children's play habits and attraction to pets increase infection risk 5
• Infants who crawl and put fingers in mouth are especially vulnerable 2
• Geophagy (eating dirt) is a principal risk factor for toxocariasis 5

Diagnostic Challenges

• Symptoms may be mild or non-specific, leading to missed diagnoses 2
• Persistent unexplained eosinophilia should raise suspicion 2
• Respiratory symptoms may be misdiagnosed as asthma 1

Prevention Strategies

• Wash hands and fingernails thoroughly with soap after handling puppies and before eating 6
• Regular deworming of puppies under veterinary guidance 5
• Prompt disposal of puppy feces 5
• Avoid allowing puppies to lick faces, especially of children 1
• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly 6
• Wear shoes when walking in areas where puppies may have defecated 6
• Consider delaying acquisition of a puppy until children are old enough to understand hygiene practices 2

Treatment Considerations

• For suspected or confirmed Toxocara infections: Albendazole 400mg twice daily for 5 days 1
• For tapeworm infections: Praziquantel is the drug of choice 4
• For hookworm-related skin conditions: Supportive care and antiparasitics may be needed 1
• In cases where no specific worm is identified, empirical treatment with single-dose ivermectin 200 μg/kg and albendazole 400 mg may be considered 1