Hydatid disease

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Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Western Australia, Series 3

Volume 6

Number 2 March-April, 1957 Article 15

3-1957

Hydatid disease - A dangerous rural hazard Hydatid disease - A dangerous rural hazard

P. M. A. Harwood

Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3

Recommended Citation Recommended Citation

Harwood, P. M. A. (1957) "Hydatid disease - A dangerous rural hazard," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 6: No. 2, Article 15.

Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol6/iss2/15

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A Dangerous Rural Hazard

By P. M. A. HARWOOD, M.R.C.V.S., Senior Veterinary Surgeon

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NLESS precautions are taken, farm dogs may be the source of a dangerous and sometimes fatal human disease. Children in particular are very susceptible and the effects may cause a life-time of ill-health. Dogs, which are infested with Hydatid tapeworms, pass the eggs in their droppings. These eggs are the source of human infections.

Dogs pick up the tapeworms from eating raw offal containing the Hydatid cysts.

These cysts are particularly prevalent in sheep offal, but may also be found in cattle, pig and kangaroo offal.

The cysts contain hundreds of minute tapeworms waiting to a t t a c h themselves to the dog or fox which eats them.

Sheep develop cysts after grazing areas contaminated by infected dog or fox droppings.

Cysts may develop up to more t h a n 6in.

in diameter and in the sheep are usually found in the lungs and liver. Although relatively harmless to the sheep, these cysts can also develop in the organs of human beings, where the effects are most serious.

Humans pick up eggs from two main sources. Dog droppings eventually dry to dust and this dust may contain living eggs. Unwashed lettuce grown on farms may be contaminated with this dust. But the greatest danger is to children who play with dogs and t h e n eat or lick their fingers without washing their hands. Dogs often have tapeworm eggs adhering to their coats and are a potent source of infection.

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE AGAINST HYDATID DISEASE

Prevention depends on three main principles.

1. Never give dogs raw offal of any description.

As stated previously, one living cyst may contain hundreds of tapeworms. Raw offal such as heart, lights a n d liver is made absolutely safe by boiling for ten minutes.

2. Treat dogs regularly for tapeworms.

The treatment of choice is with Areco- line hydrobromide and is carried out as follows:—

(a) The dog is starved for 12 to 18 hours.

(b) Arecoline hydrobromide is given by mouth in tablet form or dis- solved in a small quantity of water.

Dose Rate—

Grain.

Dogs of terrier size i Dogs of sheepdog size .... £

Kangaroo dogs 1 NB.—Although Arecoline hydrobromide

is very violent in its effects, resulting in severe purging, it is a very safe drug and is far more effective against Hydatid t a p e - worms t h a n other and less violent t a p e - worm medicines.

Worming should be carried out at least every six months.

3. Always wash your hands after hand- ling dogs and impress the importance of this practice on your children.

4. Always wash salad vegetables grown on farms where sheep are raised.

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Journal of agriculture Vol. 6 1957

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Diagram showing the life cycle of the measures for Note.—Town dogs do not have much opportunity of picking up Hydatid worms.

All m e a t a n d offal at abattoirs is inspected a n d any organs containing Hydatid cysts are condemned. The risk of this disease occurs where sheep are raised.

SUMMARY

1. Hydatid disease is a serious a n d sometimes fatal disease affecting h u m a n s .

2. T h e disease is transmitted by dogs.

dog tapeworm, with recommended control hydatid disease.

3. Dogs are infected by eating raw offal containing cysts.

4. Offal fed to farm dogs MUST be boiled.

5. Always wash your hands after handling dogs and impress the importance of this on your children.

6. Worm the dogs regularly with Arecoline hydrobromide.

7. Wash salad vegetables.

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Journal of agriculture Vol. 6 1957