Roundworms are a lot like Ascarids in horses in the way that they migrate to the lungs and cause respiratory problems, such as pneumonia and coughing. There are three different species, one of which can transfer to humans, so this is a very important and serious worm! The most common mode of infection in puppies with this species is transplacental transfer--pregnant dogs can have larvae migrate into the developing fetus. These roundworms have been found in the intestines of puppies as early as one week after birth. Symptoms include lack of growth, loss of condition, inflated gut, diarrhea, and coughing.
Hookworms appear to be predominantly in dogs, but cats are still susceptible to infection. Transmission can occur in three different ways: through the environment, milk of infected females, or larval invasion through the skin. Because these parasites can invade the skin, one of the symptoms of Hookworms is dermatitis. Other symptoms include anemia, anorexia, emaciation, and weakness.
Like Hookworms, Whipworms predominantly affect dogs and appear to be rare in North American domestic cats. The eggs are highly resistant to desiccation, temperature extremes, and ultraviolet radiation and can remain viable for many years. They are named for their whip-shaped body, which is composed of a think, filamentous anterior end ("lash" of whip) and a thick posterior end ("handle" of whip). Adult worms can reach up to 4.5-7.5 cm long, about 75% of which is the anterior portion of the whipworm. An adult worm can produce more than 2,000 eggs per day, but they begin producing between 74-90 days after infection, which causes problems with diagnosing the parasite, as dogs will often show clinical signs before eggs are shed in the feces.
Whipworms
Saying goodbye to the goofballs
Tomorrow the plan is to visit Wake Forest and Davidson before heading back to Toledo.
The whipworms are beautiful!
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