Echinococcus Multilocularis is a tapeworm that is emerging as a new infectious threat in southern Ontario. We have had a case here at our hospital! This tapeworm is found in coyotes and foxes. Your dog can be infected with this tapeworm by ingesting the feces of an infected carrier. People as well can become infected through fecal contamination ingestion. This parasite is of concern as it eventually causes liver failure through development of destructive cysts. Not all dogs are at risk of exposure to this tapeworm. Risk of infection for your dog increases if they are outdoors in rural areas where coyotes and foxes are also active, where exposure to, or ingestion of feces is possible. To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that your dogs are both supervised when outdoors and treated once monthly with a deworming (paraciticide) product which is effective against E. Multilocularis. Please contact us to discuss how we can help you if your dog may be at risk of exposure to this tapeworm.
New Infectious Threat in Southern Ontario
