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Whipworms

Whipworms. Capillaria. Trichuris vulpis. WHIPWORM. The name comes from the thin whip-like protrusions at the end of the adult body. The worms attach to the large intestine and cecum by threading their “whip” through the intestinal lining. Very rare in cats. TYPES. Trichuris vulpis.

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Whipworms

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  1. Whipworms Capillaria Trichuris vulpis

  2. WHIPWORM • The name comes from the thin whip-like protrusions at the end of the adult body. The worms attach to the large intestine and cecum by threading their “whip” through the intestinal lining. • Very rare in cats.

  3. TYPES • Trichuris vulpis

  4. MODES OF TRANSMISSION • Direct – ingestion of eggs

  5. Whipworm Lifecycle 2. Larvae hatch and begin development in the intestines Trichuris vulpis 3. Larvae mature to adults in the cecum or large intestine 1. Eggs are eaten by host 4. Eggs are passed in feces 5. Eggs develop infective larvae

  6. CLINICAL SIGNS Signs are usually mild, but include: -Diarrhea -Emaciation -Dehydration -Anemia -Blood in stool Death may occur in severe cases

  7. Protozoa Giardiacyst Isospora Giardia troph

  8. PROTOZOA • There are several different species of protozoa that are commonly known as coccidian. An infection of protozoa is called coccidiosis. Coccidia infest the walls of the intestines.

  9. TYPES • Isospera – dog & cat • Sarcocystis – dog & cat • Toxoplasma gondii – cat

  10. MODES OF TRANSMISSION • Direct – ingestion of eggs • Indirect – ingestion of infected animals

  11. Protozoa Lifecycle 3. During maturation, the eggs divide and develop into male and female Giardia 2. Parasite’s cell wall is digested and it enters epithelial cells of the intestines where it matures 4. The fertilized female (oocyst) ruptures out of the epithelial cell and is passed in the feces 1. Eggs are ingested by direct or indirect routes

  12. CLINICAL SIGNS • Diarrhea in puppies and kittens

  13. ZOONOSIS • Some species will cause disease in humans 1. Toxoplasma gondii – causes abortion 2. Giardia – ‘Beaver Fever’ is transmitted in contaminated food and water

  14. HEARTWORM • Can affect dogs, cats and even humans; although in humans the parasite is eliminated in the lungs. Adult heartworms live in the right side of the heart and in the pulmonary artery. The worms are free living, meaning they do not attach to the host’s body.

  15. MODE OF TRANSMISSION • The organism that causes heartworm is Dirofilaria immitis • Mosquitoes are the vector • Heartworm is most prevalent in the southern states with warmer climates (the larvae need warm temperatures to mature) and greater numbers of mosquitoes.

  16. EFFECTS • Damage to pulmonary artery lining • Compromised blood flow • Fluid leaks from the lungs

  17. LIFE SPAN • Dog – adults live about 5 years • Cat – adults live only 1-3 years

  18. Heartworm Lifecycle 4. Microfilaria mature in the heart – 3 months Dirofilaria immitis 3. Microfilaria (larvae) migrate to right side of heart – 3 months 5. After 6 months, adult worms begin producing microfilaria that are released into bloodstream. 2. Mosquito passes D. immitis to the next animal it bites 1. Mosquito bites infected animal picking up D. immitis

  19. CLINICAL SIGNS • Deep cough • Exercise intolerance • Irregular heart beat Note: dogs with a light infection may be asymptomatic (without symptoms)

  20. DIAGNOSIS • There are several methods for diagnosing heartworms. These methods will be successful unless the disease has progressed at least 6 months since no adults are present at that time

  21. METHODS • Blood smear to look for microfilaria • Antigen test - tests for antigens produced by adult females; there are many commercial tests available • X-ray – look for enlarged heart and pulmonary artery

  22. TREATMENT • Often dangerous. There is the possibility that the dog won’t survive treatment, or that adult worms will form a clot in the arteries. Surgery can be done to remove adult worms. There are 2 non-surgical methods that are often used in combination. One is using an arsenic compound to kill adults. The problem with arsenic is that it could also kill the dog. The second method is to use ivermectin to kill microfilaria.

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