Petcare

Good afternoon everyone. This week we are joined by Kim & Aggie, who’ll be chatting about pet care and cleanliness.

Starry2007 wants to know:

What is a big Wiggly?

Aggie said:

A big wiggly is a type of roundworm that lives in intestines in cats and dogs and that worm lays eggs, which are passed in faeces. The eggs can be very dangerous and can infect people.

Kim said:

They are very easy to treat and we have something called Stronghold and it's a small vial with liquid which is put across the back of the cat or dogs neck so they can't lick it off. And inside a few hours, it will start killing fleas and worms.

Martyn P wants to know:

What are the symptoms of infection by worms?

Aggie said:

A puppy or kitten could have a bloated stomach but you cannot tell in the majority of cases. Mostly because the eggs are invisible to the naked eye.

Caroline wants to know:

Can all pets get worms or is it just cats and dogs?

Kim & Aggie said:

Kim: Any pet can get worms any pet at all. But in the case of dogs and cats one of the most common is called toxocara and that's the one that can infect humans.

Sarah wants to know

Do these worms in cats look like miniature maggots?

Aggie said:

They look like strings of spaghetti actually. The maggoty looking worms are in fact tape worms that are carried by fleas and are not dangerous to humans.

Vicky has just joined us and asks:

Other than regularly treating my cats for worms is there any way of telling that they actually have worms?

Kim said:

If you want to be really really sure that your pet hasn't got any worms, take it to the vet for a health check. The vet may take a faecal sample and have a look under the microscope for toxocara eggs. But an easier way is to treat them monthly and then you don't have to worry about it.

Naomi Smythe wants to know:

My dog keeps dragging his backside along the grass, is this a sign of big wigglies?

Aggie said:

It could well be a sign of BW's or it could be a problem with their anal glands. Check it out with your vet now! How would you like an itchy backside all day long!??

Buster wants to know:

How distressful is this condition for my pet?

Kim said:

Can you imagine yourself, you have got worms in your bowels. You have an itchy bottom and your owner is ignoring it and you are not able to do anything about it. Just imagine how you would feel as a human being.. We need to look after our pets a lot better than we are doing. Stronghold is so easy to use, no pet should have to suffer from toxocara.

Struan wants to know:

What illnesses can worms cause humans?

Aggie said:

The toxocara worm in extreme and rare cases can cause blindness in humans. Toxocara has also been associated with asthma and other allergic conditions in humans. Although blindness is rare, one case is one case too many.

Anne-Marie has a question about potential cures:

How often should I worm my cats and dogs and is stronghold or panacur the best to use?

Kim said:

Both will work against toxocara when used monthly. But Stonghold will treat both toxocara and fleas. Ideally go to your vet for a health check and get the best advice.

Talking of treatment, Nichola Cawlkin wants to know:

I have 2 cats that seem to attract a lot of fleas. Despite regular treatment with Frontline, the fleas always seem to come back within a couple of weeks. Do you have any suggestions for how to keep the cats (and the house) flea free economically and safely?

Aggie said:

If you don't treat your pet's environment fleas will come back. Unlike Frontline Stronghold treats fleas both on the pet and in the home. Stronghold also treats toxocara so you have peace of mind.

Marvin wants to know:

This sounds like a particularly gruesome topic even for the ladies who are known to tackle the dirtiest of problems - have you seen any horror stories where infestation went untreated?

Kim said:

We have seen many cases of infections going untreated in as much as when we come out of the houses, the crew, including Aggie and I are covered in bites.

Vicky wants to know:

Other than vacuuming what is the best way to remove unwanted pet hair from furniture, curtains, carpet etc (the hair is white and shows up a lot)?

Aggie said:

Vacuuming really is the most effective but you can also try a damp rubber glove or chamois leather on upholstery or good old parcel tape turned inside out does the trick. In addition to this, brushing your pets regularly will minimise this problem.

And Anne-Marie asks:

I have three long haired German Shepherds and my problem is DUST!!! It drives me insane. I m forever dusting as the dogs drag dirt from the garden in on their coats! I know I can t stop it completely but do you have any tips?

Kim said:

You have three long haired German Shepherds what do you expect!? If you want to own three long haired German Shepherds dear, then just keep dusting, and dusting 23 hours out of 24 because you are certainly going to need to. What a daft question!

Fingers wants to know:

What is the cleanest pet to have in your house?

Aggie said:

Goldfish!

Katrina wants to know:

Why are you supporting the Big Wiggly Campaign?

Kim said:

Because I have a cat of my own who I absolutely love and I want to keep her clean and tidy and comfortable. I can't think of an easier way than with Stronghold and I want to spread this message. For more information visit our website www.bigwiggly.co.uk

Aggie said:

Because toxocara is potentially very very dangerous and there is such a simple way of dealing with it as we have already mentioned. We want to make everyone aware that it is time to ban Big Wigglies NOW!!