Veterinary Practice Management - Gastrointestinal Parasites

Helminths

Another term for parasitic worms

Toxocara canis (an ascaris nematode)

What is the most common helminth parasite of the dog?

The small intestine

Where do all roundworms reside?

• Infective larvae ingested by a paratenic host or the definitive host (dog)

• Larvae migrate from mom's vasculature, to the placenta, into the liver

• When puppies are born, the larvae undergo hepatotracheal migration and are coughed up, swallowed, and finish the maturation process in the small intestine

Describe the life cycle of toxocara canis

• Migrating larvae in lungs may cause respiratory signs

• Poor growth or body condition

• Pot bellied appearance and diarrhea, especially in puppies

What are the clinical signs of roundworms?

• Pyrantel pamoate

• Fenbendazole (Panacur)

• Moxidectin or ivermectin

What is the treatment for toxocara canis?

Visceral larva migrans and ocular larva migrans

What is the zoonotic potential of roundworms?

Toxocara cati

What is the most common helminth parasite of the cat?

• Larvae undergo hepatotracheal migration

• Prenatal infection does not occur

• Trans-mammary transmission during nursing which is the primary way young kittens get infected

Describe the life cycle of toxocara cati

Toxascaris leonina

The roundworm that infects both dogs and cats

Ancylostoma caninum (A. canis for dogs and A. tubaeformis for cats)

The hookworm of domestic and wild canids

Anemia

What are the clinical signs of ancylostoma caninum?

Cutaneous larva migrans

What is the zoonotic potential of ancylostoma caninum?

Trichuris vulpis (whipworm)

Adult nematodes that reside in the cecum

Diarrhea, hematochezia, and mucoid stool

What are the clinical signs of trichuris vulpis?

Dipylidium caninum

A cestode acquired by ingested a flea

Flea

Which species is the intermediate host for dipylidium caninum?

By observation of proglottids (tape worm segments) in stool or around rectal area. Described as " grains of rice" or "cucumber seeds."

How is dipylidium caninum diagnosed?