TREATMENT OF DOGS FOR HYDATIDS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22659, 14 March 1939, Page 7

TREATMENT OF DOGS FOR HYDATIDS

TO THE EDITOH OF THE I'll*** Sir —From the newspaper correspondence and reports it would seem that the whole populace is working itself into a ferment «oncermng the incidence of worms m dogs, and tne effect these may have on human beings. It should be known that tapeworms exist in cats as well as dogs. In consulting some of the best written authorities on worms m dogs, l find that the origin of this trouble comes from filthy farm-stock. It seems to me that the treatment for the eradication of the cause of hydatids should start at its source, m the country The tape-worm must have an intermediate host to effect its evolution, and for the majority of them, this host is one of the domesticated herbivora, sheep, cattle, horse, goat, pig and rabbit. In the country dogs are fed on the raw offal from these animals, and thus become a secondary host. Alter this they continue to re-infect themselves and other dogs with which they come in contact. The cystic form of Taenia echinococcus, which is the tapeworm caqsing hydatids trouble is found in various organs of the body, liver, lungs, ovaries, etc., in sheep, cattle, pigs and other animals, yet the farmers continue to feed their dogs on this filthy offal: Inexperienced persons may not know that there are several kinds of tapeworms which may infest dogs, but not all are dangerous to human beings. Also, they may not know that dogs can continue to reinfect themselves by bitin'g at such parasites as fleas and lice, which have become infected by biting the dogs. It is not the clean dog, regularly wormed, daily brushed and combed, and fed on wholesome, cooked meat ttvat is \ike\y to be a menace to humanity, but the filthy, verminous farm dog, and the pariahs which roam the streets. As a prevention of the incidence of hydatids I recommend: (1) That all unaccompanied dogs roaming the streets and suburbs (chiefly the suburbs) be collected daily, wormed, cleaned, and owners found for them. (2) That all farm dogs be examined, cleaned of vermin, fleas, and lice, and treated with a worm vermifuge every three months, by persons specially appointed to travel the country and carry out this work, the owners of the dogs to pay for the-treatment. (3) That all persons found feeding dogs or allowing dogs to consume raw offal be subjected to a heavy fine for the first offence and imprisonment for a second offence. If these recommendations were carried out definitely and systematically, the whole trouble could be wiped out. but it is futile to direct the attention to the animals in towns until the root cause is destroyed. Now, regarding the present treatment and instructions issued by the Government under the supervision of Dr. Bennett, I consider that this requires some modification. Apparently dogs are suffering as the result of this treatment, my own included. The instruction sheet issued should definitely state the amount of arecoline contained in each tablet, and for the benefit of inexperienced persons, instructions should be full and simple, even to the extent of naming each breed and age of dog, and the dosage required. If there is any doubt concerning the treatment for any particular dog, it should be possible for the owner to consult a recognised, authority for advice. It is imperative that the hydatid menace should be eliminated, but not by destroying the dog. If the dogs are destroyed, doubtless the Taenia echinococcus would soon find another host in their place. The root cause is in the country, not the town. Therefore, clean up the country dogs, and town dogs and humanity will cease to fear and to suffer.—Your, etc., A. M. SPENCE-CLARK. March 13, 1939.