While the parasite can cause swimmers itch in humans, it presents no substantial health risk and is unlikely to pollute drinking water due to efficient filtration methods.Experts caution canine owners against permitting their pets to swim in the Colorado River.Scientists at UC Riverside have validated for the very first time the presence of a potentially deadly pet dog parasite in a section of the Colorado River that streams through California.The parasite, Heterobilharzia americana, is a flatworm frequently referred to as liver fluke.” After finding out about cases of the infection in local dogs, Dillman assembled a research team and headed to Blythe, a border town east of Joshua Tree National Park in Riverside County, where the sick pets had all spent time swimming in the river.Life cycle of H. americana. If your pet has these symptoms after swimming in the Colorado River, its a good preventative measure to ask your veterinarian for an easy fecal test,” stated Emily Beeler, a veterinarian with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.The small snail host that sends H. americana.
While the parasite can trigger swimmers itch in human beings, it presents no significant health threat and is unlikely to infect drinking water due to effective filtration methods.Experts caution dog owners versus permitting their family pets to swim in the Colorado River.Scientists at UC Riverside have actually validated for the very first time the presence of a possibly lethal pet dog parasite in a section of the Colorado River that streams through California.The parasite, Heterobilharzia americana, is a flatworm typically referred to as liver fluke.” Dogs can pass away from this infection, so we are hoping to raise public awareness that its there,” stated UCR nematology professor Adler Dillman.” After finding out about cases of the infection in regional pets, Dillman assembled a research study group and headed to Blythe, a border town east of Joshua Tree National Park in Riverside County, where the ill pet dogs had all invested time swimming in the river.Life cycle of H. americana. If a raccoon or a canine is in the water, or drinking, then it gets infected.UC Riverside researchers collecting samples from the Colorado River in Blythe. If your canine has these symptoms after swimming in the Colorado River, its a great preventative measure to ask your vet for an easy fecal test,” said Emily Beeler, a vet with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.The tiny snail host that sends H. americana.