Intestinal parasites, dog whipworms

Whipworms get their name from the whip-like shape of the adult worms.

Dogs become infected by ingesting food or water contaminated with whipworm eggs. The eggs are swallowed, hatch, and in three months, the larvae mature into adults.

Dog whipworms live in the large intestine and cecum (a small 'dead-end' portion of intestine lying at the junction of the small intestine and large intestine).

There they cause severe irritation to the lining of those organs.

Whipworms burrow their mouths into the intestinal wall and feed on blood.

This results in watery, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and general debilitation. They are one of the most pathogenic worms found in dogs.

Adult worms lay eggs that are passed in the feces. The eggs must remain in the soil for about a month before they mature and are capable of causing infection.

The eggs are very resistant to drying and heat, so they can remain viable in the dog's environment for years.

Whipworms in dog are diagnosed by finding eggs with a microscopic examination of the stool. However, multiple samples are often required because these parasites pass small numbers of eggs on an irregular basis.

Any dog with chronic diarrhea can be reasonably suspected to have whipworms. It is an accepted practice to treat for whipworms based on assumption of infection.

There are several drugs that are very effective against whipworms. Two treatments are needed at a 3-4 week interval. Reinfection is such a problem, that it is advisable to treat again every 3-4 months.

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Dog whipworms are not nearly as common now because of the widespread use of many types of heartworm prevention products.

Most heartworm prevention products will contain an ingredient that prevents the infection of whipworms.

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