New study on canine intestinal worms in dog parks

Australia’s first nationwide study¹ investigating the risks, prevalence and distribution of canine intestinal worms in dog parks across Australia – has revealed that almost half (42.6%) of parks sampled were contaminated with canine intestinal worms.

Dog parks provide an ideal urban space where dogs and their owners can exercise, play and socialise. These parks can, however, increase the risk of exposure to parasites for both dogs and people, as most types of canine intestinal worms can also infect and cause disease in humans (known as a zoonotic disease or zoonosis).

The study, conducted by The University of Melbourne, is the first of its kind in Australia. Overall, the study revealed a high rate of contamination of canine intestinal worms in dog parks across the nation.

Key findings from the study included:

• Almost half (42.6%) of parks sampled were contaminated with at least one species of canine intestinal worm.
• Contamination of parks was highest in the tropical north, with contamination of 100% of parks tested in Far North Queensland.
• The rate of contamination was lower in sub-tropical and temperate regions, however remained as high as 43% in Melbourne and 20% in Hobart.

The results of the study highlight the importance of education to raise awareness of responsible pet ownership, including monthly deworming, to minimise the animal and public health risks associated with these parasites.

Rebecca Traub, Professor of Veterinary Parasitology at The University of Melbourne and the primary investigator of the study, said preventative measures, such as regular deworming, and responsible pet ownership, such as the immediate removal of dog poo in parks, should be encouraged to minimise the health risks associated with canine intestinal worms to both dogs and humans.

Many dog owners are aware of canine intestinal worms in dogs and the health issues they can cause, including vomiting, diarrhoea and anaemia. Less well known are the effects, potentially very serious, they can have in humans.

With five of the seven worm species identified in this study being zoonotic, the high rate of contamination in parks coupled with a lack of awareness of the risk they pose in humans, may have significant consequences. Fortunately, the same simple measures used to reduce the risk in dogs, that is monthly deworming of dogs and regular removal of dog faeces, are very effective in reducing the risk of human infection with these parasites.

The biggest line of defence when it comes to canine intestinal worms is monthly deworming using a product that specifically targets hookworms, roundworms and whipworm, such as NexGard Spectra,” Professor Traub says.

To help reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission from pets to people, the Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Advisory Panel has recently developed a set of guidelines. The panel is comprised of seven independent veterinary and human infectious disease experts, including Professor Traub.

Key recommendations from the Advisory Panel to reduce the risk of disease transmission from pets to people are:

• Deworm pets monthly
• Treat pets for external parasites year-round
• Regular veterinary health checks for pets
• Ensure good hygiene practices (e.g. handwashing, disposal of pet poo)

For more tips on keeping your dog safe at dog parks, click here.

1 The study involved the collection of 1,581 environmental faecal samples from 190 urban parks across the country, with collection taking place from December 2020 to March 2021. The study will be published in the International Journal for Parasitology later this year.