Yes, you can get the roundworm, tapeworm, or hookworm from your dog sleeping on your bed. So, in as much as comforting your pooch is a good thing, you shouldn't put yourself at risk. Worm infestation could lead to severe health issues. Most of them are harmful to humans.
How likely is it to get worms from your dog?
In most cases, a person has to ingest parasite-laden feces in order to contract worms from an animal. Good common sense and hygiene greatly reduces the risk, Weese said. “The risk is never zero,” Weese said, “but I'm not convinced it's any higher for a vet than someone that goes for a walk in the park.”
How do I know if I got worms from my dog?
An itchy rash at the point of penetration is the most obvious of the symptoms of a hookworm infection. Winding red trails may also be visible as the worm eats a path for itself under the skin. Severe cases may cause diarrhea, and can lead to weight loss and anemia.
Is it unhealthy to sleep with your dog?
Go ahead and sleep with your dog—it's perfectly safe, as long as you are both healthy. In fact, sharing your bedroom with your canine companion—as long as he isn't under the covers—may actually improve your sleep, according to recent research published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
How easy is it for humans to get worms from dogs?
In humans the juvenile heartworms never make it to the heart, but the inflammation caused by the worms can cause lung damage. It is impossible for the parasite to be spread directly from dogs to humans.
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