Vince The Vet Worm Count and Lungworm Kit

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO SCREEN YOUR PET REGULARLY?

1. PARASITIC WORMS ARE A HEALTH THREAT TO PEOPLE AND PETS

Dog and cat worms can CAUSE SERIOUS DISEASES IN HUMANS, including:

• blindness
• intestinal disturbances
• seizures
• skin rashes

CHILDREN ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISK of developing health problems as a result of swallowing worm egg or larvae found in soil and the environment (inside and outside the home).

Worms in pets can cause:

• diarrhoea
• digestive disturbances,
• bloating and wind
• coughing / severe lung disease
• weight loss, poor condition, anaemia and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

PUPPIES and KITTENS are commonly affected because many are infected with worms in the womb and shortly after being born.

NOTE: Pets can be infected with worms and not show any signs - particularly in the early stages. Screening helps to prevent significant and sometimes serious damage to the body occurring, as a result of these parasites going undetected for any period of time.

2. TO AVOID UNNECESSARY TOXIC CHEMICALS Worming products contain chemicals designed to kill parasites, which can cause adverse reactions in sensitive pets. This can include ill-effects on the liver, kidneys, bowels, gut flora, nerves and immune system - which is why they are best avoided if possible. Screening is the answer - because there’s no need to worm if none are present.

3. TO CHECK WORM CONTROL MEASURES ARE WORKING Worming regularly is no guarantee that your dog or cat is clear because the worms present may be immune to the products used. Also, many worms are invisible to the naked eye - which means they are not seen even though they are there

The ONLY way to be sure that your pet is worm free, and the control measures in place are working is to SCREEN REGULARLY (adults every 3 - 4 months, kitten and puppies every 3 - 4 weeks).

4. TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF DISEASE Some worms can produce 100,000 eggs per day! Each of these can potentially affect a child, adult or other pet. Screening for worms, along with normal hygiene precautions and the responsible collection and disposal of stools, helps to prevent the spread of disease and keep our environment safe.

How do pets pick up these worms?

Roundworms can be contracted by:

• larvae crossing the placenta into unborn puppies and kittens
• larvae in the mammary glands of the mother being passed to newborn puppies and kittens in the milk
• licking or sniffing a stool passed by an infected dog or cat
• swallowing rodents, earthworms or birds harbouring the larvae

Tapeworms can be contracted by:

• swallowing an infected flea
• eating infected rodents, birds, rabbits, hares and sheep

Whipworm can be contracted by:

• swallowing infective eggs in the environment

Hookworm can be contracted by:

• larvae crossing the placenta into unborn puppies and kittens
• larvae in the mammary glands of the mother being passed to newborn puppies and kittens in the milk
• licking or sniffing a stool passed by an infected dog or cat
• licking / grooming paws which have picked up contaminated soil or stools
• larvae burrowing through the skin

Lungworm can be contracted by:

• eating slugs, snails, rodents, frogs, birds and other intermediate hosts / carriers)
• drinking water, eating grass, chewing on toys etc. contaminated with slug and snail slime
• sniffing, licking or eating another dog's or cat's stool
• coming into contact with fox poo