Dogs are indeed one of the transmission routes of hydatid disease

Previously, there was a rumor about a girl who always slept with her pet and ended up getting hydatid disease. So is this true? Because the earlier reports were brief, it cannot be confirmed whether the infection was really related to the pet. Thus, we can only say this possibility cannot be ruled out, since dogs are indeed a common transmission route for hydatid disease.

1. Which animals can Echinococcus granulosus infect

This parasite can infect sheep, cattle, horses, camels, humans, and many other animals, but these are all intermediate hosts. Dogs are the definitive host. There are also reports that cats can be infected, but for Echinococcus granulosus, cats are not a good host, and cases involving cats are extremely rare.

2. How to know if you have hydatid disease

This requires examination. Humans can undergo an intradermal test by injecting inactivated hydatid cyst fluid to check for hydatid disease. Some locations of hydatid cysts can be detected by imaging. Some patients have larvae cysts in the abdominal cavity, which contain protoscoleces. If for some reason the cyst ruptures, hundreds of thousands of protoscoleces spread throughout the abdominal cavity, each of which can form new cysts. The patient’s abdomen will slowly enlarge over several years, affecting daily life. Some single cysts can also grow larger. If these symptoms occur, examination for hydatid disease should be considered.

3. Can we tell if a dog is infected with Echinococcus granulosus, and can it be cured

It is not possible. After a dog is infected, the adult worms reside in the dog’s intestine and do not cause significant harm to the dog. Many dogs that appear healthy and lively have been found to harbor adult worms in their intestines upon autopsy. The correct method to determine dog infection is to regularly test feces. Therefore, especially in hydatid disease endemic areas, avoid casually playing with dogs because you can never know if they are infected. Dogs can be treated with deworming medication.

It is especially important to emphasize that intimate contact with dogs can already lead to parasite eggs entering the human digestive tract.

Generally, maintaining good dog care and avoiding overly close contact can effectively prevent this issue

4. How to prevent

Giving up raising dogs is definitely unrealistic for dog lovers, so try to avoid overly intimate actions with dogs. Dogs raised in cities usually undergo relatively strict quarantine and are unlikely to come into contact with these parasites. Owners should feed them dog food instead of animal organs and raw meat, or ensure that any meat given is well cooked.

5. Is hydatid disease transmitted between humans

Generally, it is impossible through daily contact. Only extremely rare cases, such as organ transplantation, pose this possibility.

6. Can bone hydatid disease be cured

It should be said that bone hydatid disease incidence is very low, but it is relatively difficult to cure because the parasite has invaded the bone’s interior. This mainly depends on how the orthopedic surgeon manages the case. Additionally, to prevent parasite infection during surgery, patients need to take antiparasitic drugs before and after the operation. Common drugs are albendazole and mebendazole.

Therefore, what we need to do in daily life is to do our best to take good care of dogs and deworm them regularly. It is okay to play with dogs, but try to avoid overly intimate behaviors.