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Q: My baby basset is 4 months old and is being treated for roundworm. Is roundworm deadly? Can my family catch roundworm? How long will it take for it to go away?

— Brandon G. Allen

A: Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite of dogs in the United States. Infection rates vary from a low 10 percent in the West to 35 percent in the Southeast. The eggs are passed in the dog's feces, and the larvae (L1H6 worms) then develop in the grass around its waste. These larvae can enter your skin and cause a local itchy dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. To protect yourself and your dog, take your pet for frequent checkups, so that your vet can do regular stool-sample checks. You can play a part by carefully cleaning up fecal material in the yard every day. Be sure to keep small children away from your pet's waste, as contact with roundworms can be particularly unhealthy for them.

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Q: A friend of mine has a little Westie, and she was just told that the dog has mast cell cancer. I was wondering if you could give me any information about this or tell me what kinds of treatment your hospital would suggest. I would appreciate any information you can give me. Thanks!!!!!!!

— Phyllis Curry

A: Mast cell cancer is a common skin cancer in dogs and can also involve the internal organs. Your friend's Westie needs to be "staged." This means determining the exact size and location of the cancer. A pathologist needs to determine the degree of malignancy and then provide an appropriate treatment plan that might involve surgical removal, irradiation treatment or chemotherapy.

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