Could Your Dog Have Whipworm? How To Detect And Treat Whipworm In Your
Dog
by: Nathan Fischer
When it comes to keeping your canine companion healthy both inside and out,
it's important for owners to know which parasites see your dog as the perfect
host.
One of the lesser-known parasites that pose a danger to dogs is the whipworm.
Whipworms, like most parasites, are resilient. In egg form, their hard shells
allow them to survive outdoors in the soil for years in the time. In many ways,
whipworms are like hookworms, but instead of ending in a hook shape, one end
of this worm tapers to a narrow, whip-like point.
Unlike hookworms, whipworms can't enter the body through the skin. The only
way for your dog to contract them is by eating the eggs. Whipworms exist throughout
North America, and transmission is easy if your dog has any contact with other
dogs. The long-lived eggs can show up in the soil, dog toys, discarded bones
and water dishes. Once eaten, whipworms then grow to maturity inside your dog's
digestive system.
When they reach maturity, the adult worms fasten themselves to the large intestine
and the cecum, a transitional pouch between the large and small intestine. Here,
these nasty little parasites slash and puncture the intestinal walls in order
to feed. The female starts to lay her eggs, which the dog excretes through the
feces.
Symptoms for whipworm resemble those for other worms, such as hookworm. Many
dogs can carry a certain number of whipworms without showing distress, but past
a certain point, your dog may begin to exhibit signs such as a dull coat, anemia,
rapid weight loss, and a loose and bloody stool. He may also begin vomiting
up a yellow-green substance. In very severe cases, the worms may begin to puncture
the intestinal wall, to the degree that the intestine begins to stick to the
body wall. In this case, you might see your dog licking and worrying his right
flank.
When you take your dog to the vet, it may take some time to diagnose him with
whipworm. Whipworms lay eggs only intermittently, and even when they’re
actively releasing eggs, any diarrhea in your dog can make the eggs hard to
find. Typically, vets will perform four stool samples over four days before
ruling out whipworm. If your vet finds whipworm eggs, she'll administer a potent
dewormer. But all whipworm dewormers on the market are only effective against
worms in their adult form. As a result, you'll probably need to re-treat your
dog.
There are no simple and effective ways of removing whipworm eggs from the soil
around your house. However, a contaminated environment can infect your dog over
and over again. The best way to combat reinfestation is to make sure your dog's
quarters are sunny and dry, since whipworm eggs require moisture. Try to place
him in an area of fresh new gravel, pavement or soil.
Try any of these manufacturers for all natural wormers.
About The Author
Nathan Fischer writes for Poodle-oo, a site
for small dog clothes and wedding dresses for dogs. http://www.poodle-oo.com/
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