Dog infection

"How'd that thing ever get to those three dogs?" Palmer asked Macready. "I thought we stopped it in time."

"Copper isn't sure, but he thinks they may have swallowed functioning pieces of it during the fight in the kennel."

"And that's enough?"

"I don't see why not." The pilot was enjoying his assistant's queasiness. "No reason why it can't take you over from the inside out. I'd think it'd be a lot easier. The tendon-like organs wouldn't have to reach nearly as far, if they began growing inside your stomach instead of—"

Palmer turned away, adding weakly, "Never mind. Sorry I asked. I'll take Copper's word for it."