Whipworms

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Whipworms are an intestinal parasite that is found mostly in dogs, their is one species that is rarely found in cats. It is common in adult dogs and dogs boarded at kennels. These worms typically infect the large intestine.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Dogs that have low numbers of whipworms in the intestine usually won’t have any noticeable symptoms. If their are large amounts of worms present you may notice:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Mucous diarrhea
• Weight loss

SOURCE & CAUSE(S)

Whipworms are the common name for Trichuris vulpis, a small internal parasite that rarely grows to be more than two inches in length. It is a flat worm with segments that attaches itself to the wall of the large intestine. There, it continues to grow segments, each with it’s own digestive and reproductive system. The life cycle of the whipworm begins when the eggs are passed in an animal’s feces and become infective four weeks later. Your dog can get whipworms from ingesting food or drinking water that is infected with whipworm eggs.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

Diagnosis begins with a complete history and a physical exam. Your veterinarian will be most likely do the following:

• Fecal Floatation - This test is used to determine the presence of parasite eggs in your pet’s stool. It involves taking a small fecal sample from your dog using a lubricated fecal loop. The feces is then put in a small container with a solution that will allow most of the fecal matter to sink and the parasite eggs to float. A slide is then made of the floating material and examined under a microscope where eggs can be seen.

TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT

Whipworms are treated with oral deworming medications. Typical drugs used for whipworm infections include: fenbendazole (Panacur), febantel/praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate (Drontal Plus), or Mebendazole (Temintic).

PREVENTION & HELPFUL TIPS

There are a number of ways to prevent whipworm infestations in your pet:

• Regular fecal exams can help detect infestations early

• Most monthly heartworm preventive medication contain drugs that prevent whipworm infestation: Interceptor, Sentinel, and Advantage Multi are all examples.

• Proper sanitation and prompt disposal of feces in your yard is one of the keys to preventing whipworm infection. Eggs can survive even a frozen environment for up to 5 years, and there is no suitable method of removal. Replacing the soil or covering it with gravel or asphalt, as well as keeping your pet away from contaminated areas, will help prevent a whipworm problem.

•  Dogs kept outside or kenneled should be kept in clean, dry kennels with a concrete floor, never on dirt surfaces.