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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



BULLETIN No. 260 



Contribution from the Bureau of Animal Industry 



'•-fL. A. D. MELVIN, Chief 



Washington, D. C. 



November 23, 1915 



THE DOG AS A CARRIER OF PARASITES AND 



DISEASE. 



By Maukice C. Hail, Ph. D., 

 ' Assistant Zoologist, Zoological Division. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Diseases and parasites carried by the 



dog 2 



Babies 3 



Hydatid . 5 



Gld 9 



Cysticercus (measles) In sheep 



and other animals 11 



Page. 



Diseases and parasites carried by the 

 dog — Continued. 



Tapeworms, roundworms, etc 15 



Fleas and ticks 19 



Miscellaneous parasites 22 



Conclusion 24 



In the evolution of civilization the dog was one of the most useful 

 animals ever domesticated by man. In addition to his usefulness, 

 other admirable qualities have endowed him with a certain senti- 

 mental esteem as a pet. The part the dog plays as a carrier of dis- 

 ease, however, has only recently been recognized, and his status has 

 not yet been changed to satisfy modern hygienic precautions or even 

 to meet altered conditions of life in cities. 



Whether in the city or in the country, the dog is commonly allowed 

 a degree of freedom which is approached only by that of the less 

 social and consequently less dangerous cat. Liberties which we do 

 not aJlow our horses, cattle, children, or selves are extended by many 

 persons to their dogs. They are permitted to run unquestioned over 

 lawns or farms, to plant bones in flower beds, to litter up porches and 

 walks with trash and filth, to lick the faces of children, to wipe their 

 muddy paws on strangers' clothing, to go unmuzzled when rabies 

 with its terrible agony and attendant death is abroad, and to roam 

 afield at nights and run sheep to death. 



■ NoTB. — This bulletin points out the Increasing damage done by the stray and uncared- 

 for dog as a carrier of parasites and disease germs harmful to both man and live stock, 

 and Is especially Intended for the use of physicians, veterinarians, and health officers. 

 94288°— Bull. 260—15 1 



