Veterinary Parasitology: Intestinal Parasites

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary and concepts related to intestinal parasites in veterinary medicine.

Parasitology

The study of parasites and their relationships with their hosts.

Giardia duodenalis

A protozoan parasite that causes Giardiasis, with diarrhea as a primary clinical sign, and transmitted via cyst ingestion.

Cryptosporidium parvum

A protozoan parasite causing Cryptosporidiosis, transmitted via the fecal-oral route, leading to diarrhea and dehydration.

Balantidium coli

A protozoan parasite that causes Balantidiasis, transmitted through contaminated food/water, resulting in diarrhea.

Toxocara canis/cati

Nematode parasites causing Visceral Larva Migrans, transmitted via ingestion of infective eggs (also transplacental/transmammary routes for Toxocara canis), leading to poor growth and vomiting.

Baylisascaris procyonis

A nematode parasite causing Neurologic Larval Migrans, common in raccoons, transmitted via ingestion of infective eggs, leading to neurologic signs.

Ancylostoma spp./Uncinaria spp.

Hookworms transmitted through skin penetration, ingestion, or transmammary routes, leading to anemia and melena.

Trichuris vulpis

A whipworm parasite causing whipworm infection in dogs, transmitted via ingestion of infective eggs, leading to watery diarrhea and weight loss.

Strongyloides stercoralis

A nematode parasite causing Strongyloidiasis, transmitted via skin penetration or ingestion, leading to diarrhea.

Dipylidium caninum

A cestode parasite causing cestodiasis, transmitted via ingestion of infected fleas, leading to proglottids in feces and anal pruritus.

Taenia spp.

Tapeworms that cause cestodiasis, transmitted via ingestion of infected meat, leading to mild digestive upset and cysticercosis.

Echinococcus spp.

Tapeworms that cause Hydatidosis, transmitted via ingestion of eggs from contaminated environments, leading to cyst formation in various organs.

Fasciola hepatica

A trematode parasite causing Liver Fluke Infection, transmitted via ingestion of contaminated water or vegetation, leading to liver damage and weight loss.

Fecal Flotation

A diagnostic technique used to identify parasite eggs or cysts in fecal samples.

ELISA

A diagnostic assay used to detect the presence of antigens from parasites.

Fenbendazole/Pyrantel

Anthelmintic treatments effective against roundworms.

Praziquantel

An anthelmintic treatment effective against tapeworms.

Metronidazole

A treatment for protozoal infections, specifically Giardia.

Zoonotic

A disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Cutaneous Larva Migrans

A skin disease in humans caused by Ancylostoma spp. (hookworms).