Echinococcosis

What is echinococcosis?

Echinococcosis is a zoonosis, i.e. a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Transmission occurs through contact with infected animal feces or organs. The most common carriers are foxes, dogs, cats and rodents.

There are different types of echinococcosis, which cause different symptoms depending on the organ affected. The most important are

• Alveolar echinococcosis: This form mainly affects the liver and can lead to liver failure, jaundice, abdominal pain and weight loss. It can also affect other organs such as the lungs, brain or bones and lead to shortness of breath, headaches or bone fractures.
• Cystic echinococcosis: This form forms fluid-filled blisters (cysts) in various organs such as the liver, lungs or spleen. The cysts can burst and lead to life-threatening bleeding or infections.
• Neotropical echinococcosis: This form occurs mainly in South America and mainly affects the lungs. It causes coughing, fever, chest pain and blood in the sputum.

How do you recognize echinococcosis in dogs?

The symptoms of echinococcosis in dogs depend on the type and stage of the disease. However, many dogs show no or only non-specific signs such as loss of appetite, exhaustion or diarrhea. It is therefore important to visit the vet regularly and test the dog for echinococcosis.

The vet can use various methods to make the diagnosis, such as

• Blood test: this looks for antibodies against the tapeworms, which may indicate an infection.
• Ultrasound : The dog's internal organs are imaged with sound waves to detect possible cysts or damage.
• X-ray: The dog's lungs and skeleton are x-rayed to detect possible changes.
• Biopsy: A tissue sample is taken from the affected organ and examined under a microscope to identify the tapeworms.

How is echinococcosis treated in dogs?

The treatment of echinococcosis in dogs depends on the type and severity of the disease. In some cases, drug therapy with anthelmintics (dewormers) may be sufficient to kill the tapeworms. In other cases, surgical removal of the cysts or the affected organ may be necessary. In any case, it is important to have the dog closely monitored by a vet and to recognize possible complications at an early stage.

The following precautions should be taken to avoid infecting people or other animals:

• Have the dog dewormed regularly, especially if it has contact with wild animals.
• Do not allow the dog to eat raw meat or offal, especially from wild animals.
• Always dispose of the dog's excrement and wash your hands afterwards.
• Do not exchange caresses with the dog if it licks or scratches its anus.
• If you suspect echinococcosis in your dog or yourself, consult a doctor immediately.