The danger to dogs is very real, however. Exposure to the feces of raccoons infected with the roundworm sets the stage for infection. By ingesting the eggs found in the feces, or eating prey (like rabbits or birds) that have the infection, your dog can contract the raccoon roundworm.
Can raccoons give diseases to dogs?
Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria that are carried in the urine of rats, raccoons, and some other wild and domestic animals. Leptospirosis can occur in both people and a wide range of animals, including dogs.
How common is Baylisascaris in dogs?
Dogs can be infected with Baylisascaris, but this is rare. The small number of dogs that are shedding Baylisascaris in their feces do not pose an immediate risk to people. Eggs that are passed in feces are not immediately infective.
How do dogs get Baylisascaris?
Dogs may ingest raccoon roundworm eggs when they intentionally eat raccoon feces or when they lick their paws or coat after being in a contaminated environment. Less commonly, dogs may become infected by eating an animal infected with B. procyonis.
How is Baylisascaris treated in dogs?
Most of the drugs known to remove T. canis from dogs (fenbendazole, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin, and pyrantel pamoate) will also remove Baylisascaris spp. although no treatments are label-approved for this use and retreatment may be needed to eliminate the infections.
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