While acquiring parasites from a dog is possible, whipworms are species specific and unable to spread from dogs to humans, so a lick from an infected dog will not spread the parasite to you.
Can humans catch whipworms from dogs?
Can Humans Get Whipworms? Humans have their own species of whipworm, called Trichuris trichiura, that is spread through human feces. Luckily for us, it is so rare for humans to get whipworms from dogs that the Companion Animal Parasite Council does not consider dog whipworms to be a zoonotic threat.
Are whipworms transferable to humans?
Whipworms live in the large intestine and whipworm eggs are passed in the feces of infected persons. If the infected person defecates outside (near bushes, in a garden, or field) or if human feces as used as fertilizer, eggs are deposited on soil. They can then mature into a form that is infective.
Can whipworms be passed through saliva?
Many parasites, such as roundworm, tapeworm and hookworm, are zoonotic and can spread through such direct contact with your dog. Worms, however, are not one of the various illnesses spread through saliva.
How likely is it to get worms from your dog?
Numerically, the odds of you or your children getting worms from your dog or cat are quite low.
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