CAPC Top Ten Cities Reports

 

CAPC Top Ten Cities Reports: What They Are, and Why They Should Matter to You

Pets across the country are constantly at risk for parasitic diseases. That’s why the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) works with veterinarians to help protect the health of pets. As part of this mission, CAPC monitors and reports emerging parasitic threats.

The CAPC Top Ten Cities List is the latest part of this effort. Through this program, CAPC highlights and ranks metro areas that have experienced the greatest increases in specific parasitic diseases each month. Cities in each ranking are often spread out across the United States and may change from month to month. These rankings illustrate how parasitic diseases are dynamic and can expand beyond areas that are typically thought of as hot spots for specific diseases. CAPC intends for the Top Ten Cities Lists to prompt conversations between veterinarians and pet owners about the importance of testing and year-round prevention of parasites.

Currently, CAPC is providing Top Ten Cities Lists for the following disease:

Roundworm

Roundworms are common intestinal parasites in cats and dogs, even among well cared for pets. Dogs and cats can become infected through ingestion of larvated eggs or an from eating infected hosts such as rodents and birds. They can also be transmitted directly from the mother to puppies and kittens through the placenta or nursing.

Symptoms of roundworm infection include weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, dull haircoat, and a pot-bellied appearance and in cases of severe infection can result in death. Roundworms also pose a significant risk to humans — and are most common in children. People can be infected from handling and accidently ingesting dirt containing roundworm larva than can migrate to the liver, lungs, muscle and brain.

“An increase in roundworm prevalence not only alerts communities to a persistent threat to the health of dogs and cats, but it also warns of a significant threat to the health of children and families who can potentially contract roundworm infection,” said Dr. Craig Prior, BVSC, CVJ, CAPC board member.This is why CAPC recommends year-round broad-spectrum protection for pets against roundworms and routine testing, regardless of where pets reside.