I am quite the stickler for the fecal test. Why? Because feces is one of the fastest ways to pass disease. Think about it – and infected dog poops on the ground – even if the poop is cleaned up – not all microorganisms will be retrieved. Dogs, as well as humans, can contract illnesses through their feet. Dogs also use their noses to sniff the ground for other’s scent; therefore they put their faces to the ground. This can also be a site for illnesses (worms, Giardia, etc.) to enter through the nose or the mouth (dogs do sometimes lick the grass to get the dew off or eat the snow).
As the owner of 14 Great Danes at one time (those 13 puppies that Paula helped find homes for) trust me, it spreads so rapidly you will not even know that there was an issue until they have all been infected. Once their stools have been infected – pink eye – or conjunctivitis is nearly inevitable with puppies or several animals in one area. The feces only has to get on the paw and your dog is doomed IF THEY ARE NOT ON PREVENTION (certain heartworm preventative medications also contains worming meds). Sometimes even if they are on prevention they can still contract the illness if their system is stressed OR their immune system is not quite up to par for whatever reason (immaturity – a puppy without the meds or vaccines or previous exposure – or stress from traveling, having an owner away, or a change in lifestyle or schedule).
So to me, it seems wiser to just give the prevention AND have your dog’s fecal check yearly to ensure that you haven’t missed something. These illnesses are also EASILY transmitted to humans too - they just have to lick your face after cleaning themselves, after sniffing or licking an infected animal or their feces or the location where the previous feces resided. And since it transmits silently to others (K9s and humans) I feel it is essential that others who my dogs socialize with are clean and covered. There are too many ways and locations that can be an issue where you have no control. Therefore, if responsible pet owners can prevent it I think we should be the good example.
I have listed some useful sites below. Mind you, Heartworm is transmitted by way of fleas being eaten by the dog and the flea laying eggs in their digestive system, which later moves to the blood and heart. But, it can also be transmitted by a mosquito biting an infected dog and then biting another (human, K9 or feline). My vet informed me that there have been numerous cases of humans having Heartworms by such a transmission although it is not publicized. Obviously, treatment is different for each species but nearly deadly for felines. So once again, prevention is the best way.
Continued argument for YEARLY fecal testing: Parvovirus
Granted the fecal cannot find the Parvovirus UNLESS a specific fecal test is performed. I ask my vet to use the IDEXX SNAP test and labs. Parvovirus is another communicable disease that spreads like wild fire especially in puppies that may have been exposed before their series of shots were completed. Unless you test, you will not know they are carrying this disease from infancy.
Dog communicable Diseases
http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/pets/articles/d61
Basically, nearly all illnesses we vaccinate and give monthly preventative medication for are communicable in some way, not only to K9 pets but to humans as well.
Heartworms: http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-information/dog-vet-geller-dvm/can-heartworm-be-passed-between-dogs.aspx
Can Heartworm Be Passed Between Dogs?
It’s possible, but not likely, for a dog to pick up heartworms from his companion.
Jon Geller, DVM
Q.My 3-year-old Boxer was diagnosed with heartworms. I just acquired another Boxer, and wondered if this is communicable between the dogs.
A.Heartworm can be passed from dog to dog, but not from direct contact. A mosquito must bite your infected dog, then come back at a later time (after the heartworm has gone through a developmental stage in the mosquito), and bite your other dog. In general, this would be unlikely. However, your uninfected dog should get a heartworm test to make sure he doesn’t already have the disease, then you can put him on a monthly heartworm preventive. All dogs that live in areas with mosquitoes should take a heartworm preventative all year long, even if there are no mosquitoes in the cold season.
Why Heartworm testing and preventative?
http://www.edgewoodanimalhospital.com/faq/
When should I give my dog heartworm preventative?
Heartworm disease occurs when adult heartworms live and reproduce in the heart and vessels leading to the lungs. Their presence causes damage to these structures, and eventually heart failure and death. Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes, so it is most important to give the preventative during the months when mosquitoes are present. The monthly heartworm preventatives we have today kill not only juvenile heartworms, but also many of the gastrointestinal (GI) parasites as well. Since the GI parasite eggs are present in the environment all year long, we recommend using heartworm products all year around. GI parasites can be communicable to humans, and especially to children, so controlling these pests really is very important. Dogs should be tested for the presence of heartworms prior to beginning monthly heartworm preventatives. This is important because the monthly preventatives do not kill the adult heartworms, but can kill the immature worms in the dog's bloodstream. If large numbers of immature heartworms are killed at once, anaphylaxis and even death can result. When a dog is found to have adult heartworms present, another medication is used to eliminate the adults. This treatment can be fraught with complications and is expensive. Heartworm disease is very difficult to treat, but is easily preventable. Our staff can help you select a heartworm preventative that will work best for your pet.