OUR OUR CATS readers are very aware of the fantastic work that the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) und‘How Clean is Your House?’ celebrities, Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie are supporting a major campaign to help get Britain’s cat and dog loving owners to clean up their act!
Dogs and cats can get unpleasant wiggly worms - called Toxocara - in their gut and the eggs they produce can infect people - especially the under 5’s. These worm eggs can also stick on a dog’s coat too and veterinary experts have suggested that monthly worming against Toxocara is the best way forward - and the country’s top cleaning duo agree!
‘We are backing the ‘ Big Wiggly ’ campaign to focus public attention on the importance of pet hygiene which includes getting shot of these unwanted guests in your pet’s gut through a strict monthly Toxocara treatment regime. Owning a dog or cat is the most fantastically rewarding experience but keeping them spic and span, inside and out, is all part of the relationship.’
The Big Wiggly campaign, which runs throughout summer and autumn encourages owners to seek advice from their vet regarding worm control. Vets endorsing the campaign will be offering owners plenty of advice on care and prevention plus free Big Wiggly branded stickers,
information leaflets and Big Wiggly giveaways. The Big Wiggly website www.bigwiggly.co.uk provides a wealth of facts and information for pet owners, plus a fun and informative kids page gives the low down on avoiding those big wigglies. There’s an educational class room packs for Primary school teachers to download too.
For advice, help and information: www.bigwiggly.co.uk
Press contact: Liz Wyatt (project)+ 0845 644 3609 liz@projectplus.co.uk
Susan McKay (project)+ 01284 754522 susan@projectplus.co.uk
FACTS ABOUT WIGGLY WORMS
Most pet owners do not realise that wiggly worms – roundworms or Toxocara or Toxascaris - may be living in their dog or cat’s gut - there are few visible signs. In fact, only 6% of the nation’s 5 million pet owners worm their pets enough. Worms can produce infectious eggs, which the pet passes in their stools. These eggs can stay in garden soil or in sand pits for up to 2 years and still be infectious to people as well as pets if the eggs are transferred to the mouth and swallowed. Around 1 in 4 dogs have sticky roundworm eggs in their coats too so handling the pet is another way people can become infected. Washing your hands before eating, after gardening and after handling pets is an easy way to prevent infection. Unhygienic habits are most common in small children and although it occurs rarely, it has been known for a few children to suffer eye damage and even go blind each year as a result of Toxocara infections. One case a year is one too many.
As children are particularly vulnerable, it is important to treat the source of infection - the pet. It is incredibly simple to treat pets for roundworm. A tiny vial of liquid such as Stronghold® - called a spot-on treatment - squeezed onto the back of the neck protects the pet for 1 month (and also provides flea protection too!). Always ask your vet for advice about worm and flea control.
For further information on all aspects of pet worm control: www.bigwiggly. co.uk
