Roundworm is a parasitic illness that is caused by an infection with parasites known as ascaridoid nematodes. Of the three types of ascaridoid nematodes, Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, and Toxascaris leonine, only T. canis can spread to humans. In most cases the roundworms infect the intestines, but in some cases the worms can migrate through the skin and infect the skin and the body.
Toxocariasis is a zoonotic (animal to human) infection caused by the parasitic roundworms commonly found in the intestine of dogs and cats In most cases, Toxocara infections are not serious, and many people, especially adults infected by a small number of larvae, may not notice any symptoms.
Roundworm infections can harm the health of adult dogs, and they are particularly hazardous to small puppies. These worms live in the small intestines of the dog, and they survive by feeding off of the dog’s blood. Treatment of roundworms involves medicating the dog with a de-wormer medication at scheduled times, and using preventative measures to stop re-infection cycles from occurring.