Hydatid cyst

[Duckslayer89]

One thing I was worried about when grouse hunting with my dog was snare traps in Idaho for Wolves. Or foothold for that matter. Dog smells it and goes to investigate and gets caught before I even know about it. Would be more worried about that then a extremely small chance of a "magic meatball"

[bearpaw]

FYI - Since wolves have come to Washington I have found what appeared to be hydatid cysts on moose lungs & liver. I had never seen the cysts before wolves came to Washington. The problem is that wolves are a perfect host to the worms and spread the eggs widely. Foreyt's study on wolf carcasses indicated that 2/3 of wolves in ID/MT are infected. Where did our wolves come from? Yes, many came from Idaho so no wonder, and it's likely that canadian wolves have the same infection rate so any wolves from there that moved in are likely spreading the worm widely too!

[Duckslayer89]

FYI - Since wolves have come to Washington I have found what appeared to be hydatid cysts on moose liver. I had never seen the cysts before wolves came to Washington. The problem is that wolves are a perfect host to the worms and spread the eggs widely. Foreyt's study on wolf carcasses indicated that 2/3 of wolves in ID/MT are infected. Where did our wolves come from? Yes, many came from Idaho so no wonder, and it's likely that canadian wolves have the same infection rate so any wolves from there that moved in are likely spreading the worm widely too!

Wow so they not only slaughter the game but they also infect them. I haven't heard anyone mention the probability of livestock being infected? Also I read that if your dog rolls around in the feces like some do, then that's how the eggs can be transferred to humans. So if your pup is rolling around in wolf poop look out...

[bearpaw]

As hunting dog owners who hunt in wolf country our fear is that our dogs may sniff an egg infected wolf fece and become infected. Another consideration, when you kill a wolf in Idaho or other place where it's legal to do so, be careful about inhaling with your face close to the fur, such as when taking photos. Wolves are a canine which means they groom themselves with their tongue potentially spreading eggs onto their fur. Food for thought, be careful when handling wolves! The highest infection rate of echinocosus (hytadid cysts) in North America is in natives living in the far north who are more exposed to wolves!

[WAPatriot]

FYI - Since wolves have come to Washington I have found what appeared to be hydatid cysts on moose lungs & liver. I had never seen the cysts before wolves came to Washington. The problem is that wolves are a perfect host to the worms and spread the eggs widely. Foreyt's study on wolf carcasses indicated that 2/3 of wolves in ID/MT are infected. Where did our wolves come from? Yes, many came from Idaho so no wonder, and it's likely that canadian wolves have the same infection rate so any wolves from there that moved in are likely spreading the worm widely too!

Man I knew this was bad but 2/3 of these worthless varmits are infected. Bear paw thank you for your first hand experience, advice, and graphic photo regarding hydatid cysts. I am very concerned cause normal when I hunt I don't look at lungs freaks me out. Heart breaking to here about loss of moose. Wolves have only been around in great numbers for a short period of time I am worried soon many more elk deer and moose will get infected and have no use to hunters. What the wolves aren't killing they are infecting.

[Special T]

Those who advocate illegal poisoning or even passively suggest it is an acceptable response to disappointment in how the state handles wolves are ignorant and do more damage to hunting long-term in this state than wolves ever could.

Damage has been done before this issue. Antis and ignorant people who took away trapping and hound hunting. Supported by ignoramuses at the wdfw who think coyote hunting should be limited to 22cal rifles and bird shot.   

This current issue is a symptom of the problem not the actual problem.

[wolfbait]

Letter: Will N. Graves to USFWS Wolf-Carried Diseases – October 3, 1993
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 BY WILL N. GRAVES
1. Diseases, Worms, and Parasites. I was surprised that the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) did not make a detailed study on the impact issue of diseases, worms, and parasites (page 9). I believe an EIS is not complete without a detailed study covering the diseases, worms and parasites that wolves would carry, harbor, and spread around in YNP (Yellowstone National Park) and in Idaho. The study should cover the potential negative impact of these diseases on wild and domestic animals, and on humans. I believe the potential negative impact of the diseases is a valid reason not to reintroduce wolves into YNP and to Idaho.
Countless articles about the diseases, worms and parasites carried, harbored, and spread around by wide ranging wolves have been published in a magazine sponsored by the former Soviet Ministry of Agriculture. For example, a Soviet biologist reported that gray wolves are carriers of a number of types of worms and parasites which are dangerous for animals and for humans. According to this biologist, the main one is cestoda. Over approximately a ten year period, the Soviets conducted a controlled study on the subject. They made the following observations. When and where wolves were almost eliminated in a given research area, (where almost all wolves were killed by each spring and new wolves moved into the controlled area only in the fall) infections of taenia hydatiqena in moose and boar did not occur in more than 30 to 35% of the animals. The rate of infections were 3 to 5 examples in each animal. When and where wolves were not killed in the controlled areas in the spring, and where there were 1 or 2 litters of wolf cubs, the infections in moose and boar of taenia hydatiqena reached 100% and up to 30 to 40 examples of infection (infestation) were in each moose and boar. Each year the Soviets studied 20 moose and 50 boar. The research was documented and proved that even in the presence of foxes, raccoons and domestic dogs, ONLY THE WOLF was the basic source of the infections in the moose and boar. Examinations of 9 wolves showed that each one was infected with taenia hydatiqena with an intensity of 5 to 127 examples. This confirmed the Soviet conclusions. The damage done by taenia hydatiqena to cloven footed game animals is documented by Soviet veterinarians. My concern is that if gray wolves in the former USSR carried and spread to game animals dangerous parasites, then there must be danger that gray wolves in YNP and in Idaho would also spread parasites. Why should we subject our game animals, and possibly our domestic animals to such danger?
If wolves are planted in YNP and in Idaho, I believe the wolves will undoubtedly play a role in the epizootiology and epidemiology of rabies. The wolf has played an important role, or perhaps a major role, as a source of rabies for humans in Russia, Asia, and the former USSR. From 1976 to 1980 a wolf bite was the cause of rabies in 3.5% of human cases in the Uzbek, Kazakh, and Georgian SSRs and in several areas of the RSFSR. Thirty cases of wolf rabies and 36 attacks on humans by wolves were registered in 1975 – 1978 only in the European area of the RSFSR. In the Ukraine, wolf rabies constituted .8% of all cases of rabies in wildlife in 1964 to 1978. The incidence of wolf rabies increased six fold between 1977 and 1979. The epizootic significance of the wolf has been shown in the Siberian part of the former USSR. Between 1950 and 1977 a total of 8.7% of rabies cases in the Eastern Baikal region were caused by wolf bites. In the Aktyubinsk Region of Kazakhstan, of 54 wolves examined from 1972 to 1978, 17 or 31.5% tested positive for rabies. During this period, 50 people were attacked by wolves and 33 suffered bites by rabid wolves. This shows that healthy wolves also attack and bite humans. Recent Russian research states that as the numbers of hybrid wolves increases, the likelihood of a healthy hybrid wolf attacking humans also increase. Russian wildlife specialists state that when there is no hunting of wolves, the possibility of wolves attacking humans also increases, as the wolves lose their fear of humans.
Wolves not only have and carry rabies, but also have carried foot and mouth disease and anthrax. Wolves in Russia are reported to carry over 50 types of worms and parasites, including echinococcus, cysticercus and the trichinellidae family.
Prior to planting wolves in YNP and Idaho, I respectfully request a detailed study be made on the potential impact wolves will have in regard to carry, harboring and spreading of diseases.
http://wolfeducationinternational.com/letter-will-n-graves-to-usfws-wolf-carried-diseases-october-3-1993/

[AspenBud]

"The tapeworm has a worldwide distribution with two
recognized “biotypes.” The ‘northern’ biotype that circulates
between canids (wolf, dog) and wild ungulates (moose,
caribou, reindeer, deer and elk) is primarily found in
northern latitudes above the 45th parallel. The ‘southern’
biotype circulates between dogs and domestic ungulates,
especially sheep. It is endemic and common in most
sheep-raising areas of the world.

Hydatid cysts were found in domestic sheep from Idaho
sent to California for slaughter in the late 1960s and early
1970s. In Oregon, hydatid cysts were documented in a
deer carcass from Grant County in 1977. So, the parasite
is possibly maintained in wild coyote and fox populations in
our state. Tests for the tapeworm have not been conducted
in coyotes and foxes, and the prevalence rate is unknown.

More recently, adult tapeworms were found in 39 of 63
(62%) wolves collected in 2006-2008 from Idaho. Similar
prevalence occurs in Montana. It is unknown if Oregon
wolves have these tapeworms. However, Oregon’s wolf
population originates from Idaho, and the tapeworm is part
of its ecology. "

"Am I at greater risk if I am a hunter, trapper or
outdoor enthusiast?

The potential for hunter exposure to Echinococcus
granulosus eggs in wolf feces or fecal contaminated hides
is low. In Minnesota, where the parasite has been well documented
for many years and where hunter harvest of
game animals is high, no case of human infection has
been recorded. "

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves/docs/ParasiteFlyer.pdf

[AspenBud]

"A Coyote Disease Worst Than Rabies"
Professional Wildlife Management Hydatid Tapeworm Disease in Coyotes and Foxes

http://patch.com/georgia/gwinnett/fatal-wildlife-disease-worst-rabies-0

[AspenBud]

"Slaughter surveys of domestic sheep for hydatid cysts are not typically done and liver cysts
found are not differentiated into species of parasite present. Echinococcus granulosus has been
documented in domestic sheep from Idaho that were sent to California to slaughter (Sawyer et al. 1969).
Infection rates varied from 25-60% in lots averaging 141 head at that time. Additional evidence of the
presence of E. granulosus in domestic sheep from Idaho shipped to California was found by Ruppanner
and Schwabe (1973). Foci of E. granulosus in domestic sheep and dogs were identified in Utah and
California by Williams et al. (1971) who assumed that the parasite probably existed in Idaho, since
similar ecological conditions were present. A large foci of E. granulosus in domestic sheep and dogs has
been well documented in Utah with some possible connections to both California and Idaho (Crellin et
al. 1982). Based on these reports, it appears that a domestic biotype of E. granulosus was present in
Idaho, circulating between domestic sheep and dogs, decades prior to wolf introduction. "

....

"In Idaho, several reports of human infections with E. granulosus are known. An Idaho native
was found to have a liver hydatid cyst after he moved to Louisiana (Sawitz 1938). An infant with hydatid
cysts in the brain was reported in 1948 (Ing et al. 1998). A young college student that grew up in rural
Idaho and had contact with rural communities in Alaska was diagnosed with a pulmonary hydatid cyst
and treated in Louisiana (Burlew et al. 1990). There may be other cases from Idaho that are not well
documented, but these cases occurred prior to wolf introduction. "

https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/wildlife/diseaseEchinococcusWolves.pdf

[AspenBud]

Coyote tapeworm that infects dogs, humans spreading to cities

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/coyote-tapeworm-that-infects-dogs-humans-spreading-to-cities-1.1175740

[WAcoyotehunter]

Yes.  This is not a new "problem".  It has been here.  The only change is that there are more canids on the landscape. 

[WAPatriot]

Aspen way to take heat off wolves but I agree we should exterminate coyotes as well.

[bearpaw]

I don't know what the infection rate is with coyotes or if it's usually the same worm as what wolves are spreading. But I am fairly sure coyotes are not nearly as wide ranging as wolves. It is common knowledge wolves move across several states in their travels and we also know that the infection rate in wolves is roughly 62% to 63%. Perhaps there was some previous instances of the tapeworm in the northwest, but we now know there are wolves (the perfect host) spreading them widely. Anyone who has potential for exposure by themselves or their pets or livestock should be cautious! 

[Bob33]

Supported by ignoramuses at the wdfw who think coyote hunting should be limited to 22cal rifles and bird shot.   

Who said that?