Pawsitively Spoilt
How to raise a happy & healthy oodle - tips from from dog experts to help you with the day to day challenges of raising a happy & healthy dog with love.
Pawsitively Spoilt
The Hidden Parasite Risks Every Dog Owner Should Know
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Is your dog really protected from parasites... or are you just hoping they are?
In this episode of the Pawsitively Spoilt Podcast, I'm talking to Dr. Liisa Ahlstrom
as we dive into one of the most important (and often overlooked) topics in dog health... parasites.
From fleas and ticks to intestinal worms and heartworm, we explore the parasite risks every dog owner should know about, how dogs become infected, the warning signs to look for and the simple steps you can take to keep your dog protected all year round.
We'll also reveal one parasite that's surprisingly common in Australia, can be life-threatening if left untreated, and is often overlooked because many owners don't realise how dogs become infected. It's one of those hidden dangers that every dog owner should know about.
Did you also know some parasites don't just affect dogs? Certain parasites can be passed from dogs to humans, making parasite prevention an important part of protecting your whole family, not just your four-legged best friend.
Whether you have a mischievous puppy, an adventure-loving adult or a senior dog, this episode is packed with practical advice, myth-busting tips and expert insights to help you make informed decisions about your dog's health.
🎧 Tune in now and learn how to protect your dog, your family and your peace of mind. Your dog can't tell you when something is wrong, but this episode will help you recognise the signs before parasites become a bigger problem.
About Dr Liisa
Liisa graduated from the University of Queensland (UQ) with a BVSc in 2001, before working in small animal practice in Brisbane and teaching veterinary anatomy in the Veterinary School at UQ. Liisa completed a PhD in the transdermal penetration of glucocorticoids in dogs, with the goal of improving the quality of lives of dogs with allergic skin disease.
Liisa lectured in Veterinary Anatomy in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, at The University of Sydney from 2008 until 2012, completed a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education and continued her research in the field of transdermal drug penetration. Liisa joined Bayer Animal Health as a Technical Services Veterinarian in 2013, and has since discovered a passion for companion animal parasites and vector-borne diseases. Now with Elanco Animal Health, Liisa continues to enjoy her involvement in teaching and research, and working with a team dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their companions.
Read more of Dr. Liisa Ahlstrom work here.
In today's episode of the Positively Sport Podcast, we're talking about something a little bit icky, but super, super important for the health of our dogs, and that is around parasites. Yes. That can uh actually be transferred to humans. So that's a really interesting uh part of the conversation we're having today with Dr. Lisa. So stay tuned because this is something that you all need to know. Who's positively spoiled? If you have a spoiled oodle just like me and many others, then you're listening to the right podcast. Positively spoiled is a podcast focusing on helping you raise a happy and healthy oodle. Now we know just how fussy, cute, loving, and sometimes challenging they can be. But hey, us two-legged can't resist a cute, four-legged face. I'm Tanya, chief porson, pet concierge, and temporary porrant to many small dogs that are part of the extended oodle family here at Three Sports Dogs. As a lifelong small dog owner and temporary porrant to many other oodles and many small dogs, I have seen it all. And this podcast is here to help you raise the happiest and healthiest oodle that you can. And hey, we don't discriminate. So if you have any other breed of dog, you'll find the podcast relevant and helpful too. So pause up and let's get into today's episode. Hello everybody, it's Tanya Williams here, Chief Pawson at ThreeSport Dogs, and the host of the Positively Sport Podcast. And today we're talking about a very interesting topic and one that you may not think is that interesting, I guess. But um, it's one of those things that is super important for our oodles of health. And it's around parasites. Um, you know, those little itty bitty horrible things that can cause all sorts of damage to our beautiful babies. Um, so it is an important topic that we need to to um to talk about. And um hopefully we can make it a little bit more funner for you today. So I'm talking to Dr. Lisa. Now she is a technical veterinarian from Alenco. Now, I had never heard of this term technical veterinarian before, but Dr. Lisa, can you just um tell people a bit about who you are and what you do?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, thanks, Tanya. Um, and hi everyone. But Tanya, yeah, perfect intro. That's me. I'm a tech vet. I work for Alenco, we're an animal health company. So we make medicines and we make a lot of different parasite protection products for dogs and cats. And that's my kind of area of interest. It's it's parasites of dogs and cats. So, yes, I totally understand. We might not find them interesting, but I've important. And I found the more you the more you learn about them, the more fascinating they become.
SPEAKER_01I'll take your word for that. Um, and look, it is one of those things like we all I think probably the most common one we hear about is obviously ticks because you know, um paralysis ticks and all these sorts of issues, like you know, little things cause, you know, many deaths and and sicknesses and so forth with our beautiful babies. But um, you know, obviously it extends a lot further than just that. So, why are parasites such a big issue for Australian dogs? I mean, we're we live in a very different climate from other parts of the world. Are they more common than we actually realise? Like, because you know, obviously we only sort of hear about bits and pieces here and there on them. Like, is it like explain why it is such a big thing in Australia?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, great question, Tanya. It I mean, you touched on it with climate. So a lot of Australia, the subtropical, kind of tropical parts, that really favors um the development of a lot of parasites, intestinal worms, as well as fleas and ticks. So we kind of live in a part of the world where we're kind of prone to parasites, so the risk is there. Um, and they're important because they can make our babies really sick. You know, they can they can kill dogs and cats. And as you said, paralysis tick, if you live on the East Coast, that's the one that we're probably all most frightened of because a single tick can kill a dog. Um but then there's other kind of unseen parasites that also pose a deadly risk to our pets. But also, and this is something we perhaps don't talk about or think about so much, some of them can also pose a risk to human health. So parasites in our dogs can actually, some of them can kill people. Oh wow. I know, I know, it's awful. And when we think about the most deadly parasite of dogs to people, it's the hydated tapeworm. So, and the thing is, if if dogs are infected, it doesn't make them sick. So you wouldn't know they're infected or anything's wrong. Um, even if you know you go to the vet and you do a wellness check, take a poo sample and run a test, the tests miss this particular parasite because they're yeah, it's really hard to detect. So that's one that you know I'd like us to talk a bit about in our conversation today because I really would love for all dog owners in Australia, you know, to be aware of this risk, especially if there's children in the house. We know that children and their behaviours, you know, their hand hygiene does put them at a higher risk.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_00So to sort of understand that risk and to be able to take some simple measures to protect your dog and your family are really important.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Let's let's yeah, let's talk more about that, but let's come back to that. Um, and let's just talk more in a I guess in a few more general terms, just to sort of get some context and set the scene and so forth.
SPEAKER_02Yes.
SPEAKER_01What are the most common parasites we see? So obviously we we know about ticks, but what other other parasites should be we be treating our dogs for and be really sort of mindful of?
SPEAKER_00Yes, so fleas and ticks, absolutely. Um, paralysis ticks, of course, there's they're so deadly, and and um but we can we can see them, we're sort of aware of them. And I think I think the message is out there for dog owners now. You know, we really need to protect against ticks. Um, and in parts of Australia, that's that's year-round. There's another parasite, well, a parasite-borne disease that a lot of your listeners may not have heard about called olichiosis. It's a bit of a mouthful, but it's a bacterial infection that's transmitted from dog to dog by the bite of a brown dog tick, a particular species of tick. So that's one to also for your listeners to sort of maybe do a little Google of or ask your vet and find out if you're in a risk area. It's mostly it's it's spreading pretty fast, but it's kind of the top of Australia, central Australia, right down into um northern South Australia, um the areas where dogs are at risk. So that's one to also keep in mind, olichiosis. Then the other big parasites, of course, heartworm, pretty much around Australia, but but more so in the subtropics, the tropics and subtropics, because it's spread to dogs by mosquitoes. So infected mosquitoes transfer that particular parasite that then grows in your heart. Um, so that's why it can be deadly year-round. Protection against heart worms is really important. But then the other ones that perhaps get a bit less airtime are the intestinal worms. So there's a range of different intestinal worms. Um dogs get them in various ways for roundworms and hookworms. Puppies usually get them from their mums, even before they're birth, before they're born for roundworms. They're born infected because there's this transmission that happens in the in the womb, in the uterus, and and puppies can be actually born infected, which is really dangerous. And for hookworms, they can get them in the milk when they're suckling off their mum. Um, and then yeah, so worms are a risk to dogs, you know, just even going outside on the footpath into the dog park. So something to keep in mind. Um yeah.
SPEAKER_01I think the difference with the worms and ticks is obviously if they have a tick, often we can find it or see it. Like even though they might be small and we have to search for them, and they can be hiding in all sorts of places. There's something sort of tangible to look at. But I think the difference between that and worms is obviously it's internal. So we can't see what's going on, even if they do poo. Like it's you still can't see it there. So it's that thing of going, it's unknown.
SPEAKER_00It is, it is, and sometimes you know, the intestinal worms will make dogs really sick, and then there'll be some symptoms you can see, oh they're unwell, we'll go to the vet. But tapeworms, like I said before, they are really a silent risk because for tapeworms, they don't tend to make the dog sick, they're the risk to human health.
SPEAKER_01So, what exactly is a tapeworm then? Like, well, how is that like obviously there are different types of worms? Is that tape because it's a long, skinny worm? Or like what what are they actually?
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes, tapeworms, it is if they're called that because of how they look. They're a long, flattened worm. I say long because the longest can be meters long. Um, but then the small ones, I know they're crazy. They're they've got segmented bodies. So, and um, and so they drop off an end of a segment which is filled with microscopic eggs. So that's what they shed in their in their poo. And sometimes for some tapeworms, you can actually see these in their poo. You'll be able to see a little crawling, it looks like a little segment, like of crawling rice or a little maggot or something. It looks like a little maggot in their in their poo, which is quite revolting. Yeah, um, and flea tapeworm, which is the most common, it's also actually can infect people. So then you might start to see them in the nappies of your child or you know, crawling around their bottom. Um, yeah, so the flea tapeworms really. But then the one I mentioned before, the really deadly one that that can kill people, it's actually so tiny. It's only a few millimeters long. And then you don't notice anything in their poo if they're infected because it's far too small for our you know naked eye to see. So there's enormous variation in tapeworms. Um then going to the other worms that we worry about, there's hookworms, round worms, and and whipworms, and they're all kind of worms that live in the guts or the the intestines of dogs and yeah.
SPEAKER_01Is that why, and this is probably like you know, it's not related as such, but could be. Is that why things like probiotics and stuff like gut health is so such become such a big topic now because of helping things like this? So if we look after their gut health, it can actually help with you know making sure that they don't have worm issues and stuff like that. They're I'm assuming they're related somehow, right?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think that's a great point. And I think it's such an emerging field of research, the whole importance of the microbiome and and gut health. And you know, we're hearing more and more about that in human health, and I think we're starting to hear that more in in animal health too. But I think it's yeah, it's got to play a part to have that sort of health, healthy kind of community of bugs in your tummy, you know, and in your guts. Um, just keeps, you know, your defenses and your immune system up.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Um, I mean, obviously, you know, parasites are something that we should all be be looking after. I mean, and you know, I know with oodles, like we have a lot of oodles that are very precious, and they're indoor dogs, they go outside, they do their business, so they might go for a little walk, but they're not outside, they're not doing adventures, they're not walking through a bush and stuff like that. Is there less risk to them because they are not like outside all the time and they're not in these sorts of different areas? Or is does it really does where they are actually have a difference in terms of their, I guess, um capacity to pick up something like this?
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes. Yeah, they're a life's the lifestyle of a dog absolutely changes their risk for parasites. So, for example, if they're outdoors, if they can like run around in the park, if they could kind of eat something from behind a bush that you can't see, you know, if you take them to a friend's farm on the weekend, or even just take them to a park and and there's wildlife there. If they interact with other dogs, go to doggy daycare, go to boarding places, these are all things that introduce risk and increase the risk. But even indoor-only dogs or indoor predominant dogs are still at risk because things can still come inside, be brought inside. Heartworm, I guess, is the classic example where mosquitoes can come in the house. Um fleas love completing their whole life cycle in homes. So they're they're an indoor kind of parasite, they do very well inside. Ticks can make their way inside. My husband, we we share this office here, and one day I looked at him like, what is that? Crawling up your shirt. And it was a little paralysis tick.
SPEAKER_01Oh my god, look.
SPEAKER_00How the hell does this like we're in the house? This is really strange. Yeah. Um, but also also worms. So a lot of little creatures like geckos, you know, lizards, these are and mice, these are hosts for tapeworms, um, roundworms, hookworms. So you can have an indoor-only pet that catches a gecko um and gets a parasites.
SPEAKER_01And we have a lot of those in Queensland. We have a lot of geckos and lizards and stuff running around everywhere. So, and you know, we have sometimes have dogs that like to chase them. So, um, yeah, so it's it's I guess you think about it doesn't just have to be interaction with other dogs, it can be other types of animals and reptiles and you know, insects and all sorts of stuff that carry these other things that that our dogs are, you know, interacting with, you know, a lot of the time. Yeah, okay.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. And then the other risk for indoor dogs, Tanya, is um is is raw raw feeding. So, you know, so if if raw food and and you know, there's lots of, you know, we we are more interested in diet and we want them to have a really healthy diet, but you just also do need to be mindful of where that's coming from. And I think the risk for commercial raw diets you purchase is probably very, very low and negligible. Um, the danger would be if you were sourcing your own kind of raw meat or offal that hasn't been kind of treated in any way and hasn't been assessed.
SPEAKER_01Then straight off a farm or something where it's like someone's highlighting.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, exactly. Then that would be a a really high risk for tapeworm in particular.
SPEAKER_01Well, I wouldn't have even thought of that, but yeah, I guess if something's like, yeah, obviously most of your commercial stuff, you think obviously there's there's certain protocols and standards and stuff that they have to adhere to. I know it's uh that's can be a little bit lax in Australia, but um, but yes, I certainly would never have thought I mean I guess working dogs and people on farms and stuff probably just grab whatever and feed their their dogs and they don't probably think too much about it. Yeah. Um, I want to ask this question about bum scooting because we often see dogs scooting around, and the first thing people go is, oh my god, they've got worms. And I think it's a bit of a obviously a fallacy and a myth. But is that actually have I know bum scooting is typically around anal glands, but is there any truth whatsoever to the fact that if your dog is scooting around that there could be worms?
SPEAKER_00Yes, there there is. There is some truth to that. So as you say, um with oodles, we know that they they often do have some tricky anal glands. So that could certainly be explaining the bum scooting. Um, but tapeworms also, not all tapeworms, so those little ones I told you about the deadly ones, they don't tend to cause any signs because they're so small. Um, but the larger worms, the flea tapeworm, when it releases its little tapeworm segments out with the poo, they're actually still motile, like they're still like living, they're moving, even though they're separated from the worm, and they can sometimes actually uh crawl out of the the bottom and then get stuck to the hair around the bottom, and then that's really itchy. So that's why then dogs should not if those segments are moving still inside them or close around their bottom, yeah. Ooh, oh my god.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna be so thing. Someone walk around looking at dog's bottoms going, have they got any of those sort of words in the mouth? It's like, oh my god. Well, that's the thing, because you hear all these myths sometimes and you go, that's an old wives' tale, right? Like it's it's that's why I asked the question because often when I've I've had this discuss discussion before, and they said obviously it's it's mainly around anal glands and stuff like that. But yeah, is there any truth to this? So there is some truth to it.
SPEAKER_00There is some truth to that, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Um, and look, uh we've sort of touched a little bit on this uh before, but you know, can dogs pick up parasites from from parks and and boarding facilities and and those sorts of things? And I I guess the answer is probably yeah, they can pick stuff up from anywhere, can't they? Really?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's right, yeah. And and dog parks um, you know, are are a really high risk for picking up worms because some of these kicks, fleas, yeah. Yeah, that's right. Which doesn't mean that we shouldn't let our dogs go to dog parks because we know it's so good for them socially and their mental health and well-being. It's just about understanding the risks and then protecting them.
SPEAKER_01Um go to the dog park, but then come home and just check them over, make sure that there is no like ticks on them, or you know, just watch for fleas for the next couple of days and and be mindful. I think it's really about being mindful about how like what we're doing and with all that as well.
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes. Or keep them on a you know, a safe, effective product that gives you that peace of mind, knowing that you're you know you're ticking all those boxes and and keeping them safe.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, that yeah, and that's the thing. Um how often should dogs be treated for all this stuff? Because like my boy gets his uh heartworm injection, he gets an injection each year. Um, so then we know his heartworm stuff's taken care of. And then we, you know, we've got you have the worming tablets and you know, but like I guess there's lots you know, he has his tick treatment, he's uh um, you know, every quarter or whatever. So there's lots of different things. Uh there's lots of different products. I don't know if there's one product that does everything. I think normally there are multiple products, but how often should we be treating for things like worms and ticks and stuff like that when we're looking at like tablets and sprays and stuff? Because I think that can be a bit confusing for people because what someone will say one thing and someone else is something else, and the box is this, and you you're trying to get this and you're trying to do the right thing, yeah, but sometimes you just go, I don't know what I don't know.
SPEAKER_00Yes, exactly. Yeah, it is it can be so confusing. And if you walk walk into a you know a pet store and go to buy something, you know, it is it's completely overwhelming. And as you said, like until recently, we've had to kind of combine multiple products to be able to address all the parasite risks. There hasn't been that one product that could do everything until very recently. So finally, there is a product that's a monthly chew, an all-in-one, that that does control all these parasites as well as tapeworms. So thankfully, now we don't have to be adding in that extra tapewormer. But what is that product? It's it's Advocate Ultra Chew. So that's the product that I've been closely involved in with Alanco. So we have just launched that in a Ultra Chew.
SPEAKER_01Okay. And I've heard that Advocate's a big brand, it's been around for a long time.
SPEAKER_00It is. Advocate Squadon's been around for 21 years. So it's sort of an evolution of that brand to you know include now ticks and tapeworms.
SPEAKER_01So that that chew can can do everything.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01Tapeworms, ticks, fleas, the whole thing. Okay.
SPEAKER_00All of the key intestinal worms. So it does, yes, fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, and your tapeworms.
SPEAKER_01So how often do they have that chew? Is that quarterly, monthly, or every month.
SPEAKER_00Every month? So it's a palatable, kind of tasty chew, chewable tablet, but it is small. So they, if they don't like it, if they choose not to eat it, you can peel it like a tablet or hide it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, because that can be the problem sometimes. Some of these things are huge. And you're going, they're not going to eat that. Like as much as they go, oh, they're chewable and your dog will eat them. My dog's going to go. I don't think so.
SPEAKER_00Or they go off that over time, it starts off okay, and then they're like, Yeah, no.
SPEAKER_01Then they cop one and they go, hang on, I'm yeah, well, I'm not having this. Yeah. Um, so then you're trying to cut it into different pieces and put it in food and do all sorts of crazy stuff.
SPEAKER_00So in terms of I I realized I didn't answer part of your question there with how often no, I'm sorry, I kind of went around on my uh circle, but um, but but yeah, how how often should we be protecting against this parasites? I mean, I guess it does depend a bit where where you're living. Um, but what the experts say is for um intestinal worms like roundworm, hookworm, and if your dog's at risk of tapeworm, then that should be monthly for those particular intestinal worms, which is quite a change from the past because previously three, six months. Yeah, that's right. Previously it was always kind of quarterly, you know, every three months. Um experts now for looking at our climate in Australia. And our risk are saying, no, really, for adult dogs or dogs greater than eight weeks of age, it should be monthly for roundworms, hookworms, and if they're at risk of tapeworms as well. Um, and of course, heartworms, paralysis tick, fleas, that needs to be year-round, like like you're doing.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and yeah, so we do the yeah, the heartworms are yearly thing, make that a year, and and the brev, you know, we use brevectos, so that's like a quarterly tackle, like it's all about right when but it is, it's it can be hard. You need a calendar to keep up with everything. When's this due? When's that due? That's due on this date, and just to make sure have we got everything, like it's it can be really confusing to try and have three or four different products, yeah. Um and then you go, shit, we missed that. So we've we know we we're behind three weeks. Like it's it is hard. Now the routine's off.
SPEAKER_00I know. Exactly. I mean, I yeah, I I find it difficult, do you? You know, you you life is busy and yeah, however, you can kind of simplify it, make it easier, it's it's gonna yeah, make it better for pets.
SPEAKER_01Parasites, I mean, obviously, some of them I think are always sort of gonna be around, but one of my my questions gonna be around is this a year-round issue for everything in Australia? I know we would talk about having tick season. Oh, it's tick season, so when is tick season? But I know we need to be, I mean, ticks are around all year, not just tick season, right? So like there's not as there might be seasons where maybe they're more prevalent or whatever, but like can you just explain a bit about the seasonality behind the parasite?
SPEAKER_00Absolutely, yeah, it does, it depends on the parasite, and it depends on where you are in Australia. So for us in Queensland, our parasite risk for pretty much all the parasites is year-round. And yeah, we do still think about you know paralysis tick season, you know, starting in in late winter or spring and you know, being the highest risk at coming into this time of year. And that's certainly the case. The risk is higher in tick season, but the risk isn't zero at the other times of the year. So occasionally you can get a tick that decides not to read the textbook, that he shouldn't be out there then.
SPEAKER_01So it's kind of you should be hibernating.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and and same for heartworms. So in southern Australia, you know, when through the cold winter when mosquitoes um, you know, aren't really transmitting so much, the risk is going to be lower for a couple of months of the year, but it may not it may not be zero again. And then once you start, it it gets all a bit complicated if you say, well, you've got to keep that year round, but that could actually be seasonal and you could have a break for a couple of months. Um, yeah, and intestinal worms are a year round, like they don't take they don't take a break. So so I think, yeah, I think the seasonality is really it's it's interesting, and I think it's important to talk about it and to be aware when is the risk even higher. Because for things like paralysis ticks in that higher risk season, I mean for my pets, you know, I'm I'm using the products, but I'm also checking for ticks. Like I'm not relying on that product 100% because we know nothing is a hundred percent. Like we've still got to be just have that extra awareness that this is the really peak time for ticks. I'm gonna do a tick search as well.
SPEAKER_01And that's the thing I think you you do, you you have this com sense of complacency because you're like, oh, that's okay, they're they're covered for all that, especially with ticks, because you think, well, no, they've got tick coverage, therefore they should never get a tick. And it's like us humans with things, just because we take something doesn't mean we're not gonna get that particular thing. But it is I think we do we do think, oh well, we're covered. And I think that's human nature to go, oh no, that that's all fine. But I think it is really important, especially if they are going to dog parks or they've been out in a bushwalk or they're out in some of these areas where there is a much higher chance of them picking up a tick, whether it's a brown tick or a paralysis tick or or whatever, that you know, things happen. Like my my dogs have had ticks in the past, and you go, where the hell have they picked that up from? They haven't been anywhere. But you know, things traveling grass, as we know, and all that sort of stuff, and you've just got to be really aware of it and go, Well, if something feels weird, and even with our guests, because you know, being dog said, we've got dogs coming and going. Yeah, but sometimes you'll feel something and go, Oh, hang on, what's that? That just feels an is that just a little growth lump? Oh, hang on, no, that doesn't look like so. You you're always, when you're patting them and stuff, mindful of feeling something that wasn't there before, or just let me just check to see what that is. Is that a lump? Is that a sore? Like, because I I think being mindful of that and thinking, oh, just because I'm covered, doesn't necessarily mean that you won't get a tick on your dog.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, exactly. Exactly. It's all about risk minimization. Yeah, and yeah, you giving the product compliantly. So your risk is going to be so low. But yeah, absolutely. I think it's so good, as you say, getting used to what your dog feels like and where those lumps and bumps are, so that you can instantly kind of feel when something's not right.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and we know our dogs better than anybody else, so we know that that little bump there's a little growth that they've got on them, or you know, this is extra one, yeah, that extra nipple, you know, exactly. But like we if something's like, oh, what's that thing between your eyes, or what's this? I can feel this thing on your ear, or whatever, like it's worth looking at. Um I want to talk about the risks and stuff. So you know, why is it important to protect against like the worms and the and and you know, worms in particular, I guess, because they are an internal thing. What happens? And it could be some really nasty stuff that happens, I imagine, but if we're not treating our dogs for that and they get a tightworm or other sorts of worms, what can that mean for them?
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes. I think there's two parts to this question. We we need to think about what happens, what can happen to them, our babies, like what are the effects on them, but we need to also come back to remembering what about the risk to human health as well. So we'll try and we'll try and touch on both. Yeah, the the consequences can be can be deadly, rarely. Um, the risk is higher for young puppies with hookworms and and drowned worms. And um what hookworms do, they're tiny little worms, but they suck blood, they latch onto the lining of their intestines, they cause an ulceration there, they then decide, no, no, actually, I'm gonna like move a couple of centimeters down further and suck on there and suck blood, but that leaves the wound that they've already created kind of open and bleeding. So you get all this kind of trauma and damage to the lining of their small intestines. So they become really, yeah, anemic. So, as well as having those symptoms that you'll see like diarrhea, they'll also become really flat, pale gums. Um, that's that's hookworm. And yeah, and that particular worm, if we think about okay, well, that makes dogs sick, what about people? It's also a risk to human health, and they can infect us by penetrating our skin. So it's so the risk is infected dogs that that poo in the environment and they're shedding out these microscopic eggs there. Yeah, they then, if that's in your backyard or out at the dog park and you're walking barefoot, um, beaches in barley, very high risk area for sitting sitting on the beach, um, these hookworm larvae, microscopic, actually burrow through our skin to get into our bodies. And then, yeah, some of them can actually um penetrate, migrate through our body tissues and organs, get to our guts, and grow up to adult hookworms in our guts and do all the same things that they do to dogs in sucking blood, making us anemic, gut pain, diarrhea. Other ones just burrow around under our skin, making a nuisance of themselves, being like incredibly itchy. So that's hookworms. I know that's it.
SPEAKER_01I never ever have thought that I could catch a worm off a dog like especially that way. If you well, like how would that happen unless I ingested it? Like, how would they actually but yeah, you don't even think that maybe they can get under your skin or under your nails or in like yeah, like we've got all different places, I guess, that they could hide and get into, but never thought that that's crazy.
SPEAKER_00I know, I know we often think, you know, well, if we're washing our hands and doing good hygiene stuff, we're not we're not gonna be at risk. But even just you know, walking barefoot in your backyard could be, yeah, that risk. But for for tapeworms, the risk really is well, we've got to keep in mind that tapeworms are a bit of a different kind of intestinal worm in that they don't make dogs sick generally. So you won't know that your dog's infected. Some species you might see those little crawling segments around their bottom or they might be scooting, but the the dangerous one to people, you won't know they're infected. And how people get infected is just if you're, you know, patting your dog, um, you know, not washing your hands, having a sandwich, or even just that close contact that we we all love to do with our dogs. Um, because these microscopic eggs that end up in their in their poo can live for for a couple of years. So then they're it's around in our environment that we share with with our dogs and can be on their coat. Um, so then that's a way that we swallow these microscopic eggs. They hatch in our gut, they then migrate to our organs where they develop into a big cyst and they can become enormous, they can become bigger than your fist in your brain or your lungs or your liver. Yeah, it's terrible. I know, they they interfere with the with the functioning of that organ a bit like a cancer would, and then they're very difficult to treat. So usually people don't get diagnosed for years and years after they've been infected, and then when it's when it's diagnosed, treatment is really difficult. Yeah, it's risky. And it usually involves surgery to try to carefully remove these cysts from their organs.
SPEAKER_01So with with I guess what sort of symptoms should we be looking for in our dogs in particular? Um, if like you know, to think, or maybe they've got worms, or like maybe there's another issue. Like obviously with the paralysis tick, we're aware of them being pro paralyzed and you know, all that all that sort of stuff. But for for a dog, like and we go, well, there's this obviously something off. Like, are there certain symptoms we go that could be a sign of a a round worm or a hookworm or something?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah. I think things like diarrhea, yep, um, even vomiting, I think being a bit off-color, a bit flatter than usual, yeah. Bum bum scooting as well for tapeworm. I think they're all sort of things to look out for in younger puppies. Even coughing can be a sign of intestinal worms because some of these worms do a an interesting migration through their lungs, and as they move through their lungs, they can lead to a pneumonia. Um, so there are all sorts of things to look out for. But then also keeping in mind that sometimes they won't have any symptoms at all. For tapeworm, it makes it hard to treat, right?
SPEAKER_01If they've got no symptoms, why what am I treating? Because I don't even know they have it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, exactly. It's really hard. And and they can be um, they can't all be easy to diagnose with your vet either. Some of them are really quite straightforward to diagnose, and that's great, then you find out and you can treat. But others, like the hydatid tapeworm, the deadly one, um, won't be detected on tests. Like tests only pick up one out of every five infections.
SPEAKER_01So that's how are we supposed to know if if the vet can't pick them up? Is it like there's no way of knowing that our dogs have this deadly worm that we can't treat because we don't know about, the vets can't find it? Like that's just that's like crazy to me. Like it's scary too. It's really scary.
SPEAKER_00It is it is scary, but you know, we don't we shouldn't we don't need to feel so scared because there are you know there are measures that we can take with monthly. So because of how long it takes for that deadly hydated tapeworm to develop, it takes six weeks from when a dog becomes infected to it shedding these infectious eggs in its poo. Six weeks. So if you're giving a tapeworm every month, they're never going to develop to that age to be shedding eggs in the feces. So that straight away makes yeah, that makes sense minimizes that risk, which is you know enormously reassuring because yeah, these risks are here, but we don't want to be paralyzed with worry and stop our dogs, you know, enjoying their life and stopping our close kind of connection and bond with our babies.
SPEAKER_01We want to be able to hug them and not be worried about absolutely, and especially with little noodles and stuff. I mean, that's they're all about the hugs and the cuddles and the being on top of things sparkling. Exactly. Um, okay. So for owners that are feeling overwhelmed by all this, because it can be a bit like that, where should they start? And I'm thinking maybe if they simplify things by having a product that does everything that helps streamline and not having five or six products and trying to keep the calendar of what's when and all that sort of stuff. Like, because yeah, it is overwhelming. Is that probably a better way to start? Because what there are so many things that we need to be aware of?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think so. I think if you the simpler we can make it, we know that the chances of being able to follow it and and do it and remember on time, you know, none of us are perfect. We're human. We're human. Um, but the simpler you can make it, the greater your chance of success. And I think also that peace of mind, just knowing, okay, well, these are the risks. My dog does do some of these behaviors that put them at risk. You know, we go to the dog park, or you know, I we we go out to the farm sometimes and you know, they're off the leash. I don't see what they get up to. So, you know, I'm just gonna give this every month, and that's that's the best I can do to minimize that risk and just still enjoy our lives together.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, that's right. Um, we're gonna finish with a bit of a fun question. So, what parasite fact do you tell people at barbecues that instantly makes everyone uncomfortable? Because obviously some of the stuff we're gonna say, it's like, ew, really? It's not a barbecue and just like go, I'm gonna just really freak some people out here. Like, yes, is it something that you could you tell them that they just go, oh my god. Yeah, yes.
SPEAKER_00Well, I guess it at a barbecue, it would have to be the raw meat. It would have to be something to do with undercooking your steak. So it could maybe be something along the lines of um, you know, did you know that um, you know, undercooked meat can actually be a source of tapeworms for for dogs and and parasites for people as well. So um, so keep it on a few extra minutes.
SPEAKER_01Yes, I like my uh meat dead. Um not bleeding. No, no, no, no, no, no. Um, thank you so much, Dr. Lisa. I think we've unpacked a lot of stuff there. I've certainly learned some stuff because I had no idea of the connection between some of these parasites and humans, especially like that was an eye-opener. Um, and I think a lot of people wouldn't even be aware of that. We just think of them as these are separate things, as dogs have you know these issues and we have these issues, and and you don't think that uh one affects the other. So um you know, and the fact that you know we it is a seasonal, it's not it's not a seasonal thing, it's a year-round thing. We have to be on top of this stuff. Let's make it simple um and not overcomplicate it and just be mindful and aware of the impacts of this stuff, like you know, by giving them what we need to be giving them to treat all these things, and also things like probiotics and stuff that can be helping gut health, which helps with the worming stuff and whatever, like it's little things that can make a big difference, I think. So um, but so thank you for sharing your your knowledge because obviously you live and breathe this stuff every day.
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes. That was a yeah, fantastic wrap-up, Tanya. And yeah, my my absolute pleasure.
SPEAKER_01Thank you so much. And we'll put all um the details in the um in the show notes as well. So if you're interested in that product, um, you'll know where to find it. Um and we'll put um Dr. Lisa's um info in there for you as well. So um thank you. Thank you for doing all the research and helping to keep our our little oodles and our babies safe because you know we we need that. We need people to be doing that that sort of stuff and and and doing the research and and going, now there's a better way of doing it, and and let's you know do these things and you know it's it like it's constantly evolving, isn't it? So it's um it's something we need to be across as owners and be accountable for that too.
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes, we're very fortunate.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Thank you so much, Dr. Lisa. Great to chat to you. Thanks, Tanya.
SPEAKER_00Bye everyone.
SPEAKER_01Would you like to know more about the services we provide here at Three Sport Dogs? Now visit our website. Three is in the number three, sportdogs.com.au. Also send me an email if you've got any questions or to request specific topics in future episodes. If you'd like to become a collaborative partner or just to tell me how much you love the podcast, I would love to hear from you.
