Toxocara canis and toxocara cati are roundworms that may cause a condition called toxocarosis in humans. Diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans are described medically as zoonoses.
As its name suggests, toxocara canis (T canis) is generally found in dogs, although it may also be detected in foxes. The dog usually doesn't display any signs of infection unless there are a significant number of worms living in the animal. The roundworms may grow to between 4cm and 12cm in length while living in the dog's intestine. A pregnant bitch may transmit eggs to her unborn foetus via the placenta, and hence a puppy may be born already infected with worms, perhaps unknowingly to the owner. Toxocara cati (T cati) is found in cats.
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