TAPEWORMS Tapeworms are a parasite that are found in the small intestine of dogs.

The most common tapeworm found in dogs is the Dipylidium Caninum. They are flat and segmented, white in colour and can grow up to 20cm long. They attach themselves to the dog's intestine by their hook like mouth. Life cycle 1. The tapeworm cycle begins with the flea larvae eating fecal matter that contains tapeworm eggs. 2. The eggs hatch inside the flea and become cysticercoids. 3. A dog may then swallow a flea that contains these cysticercoids while chewing or biting at an itchy area on it's skin. 4. Once the flea passes into the dog's intestine the flea is broken down and the cysticercoids develop into an adult tapeworm. 5. The tapeworm attaches itself to the lining of the intestine and feeds off the nutrients. 6. As the tapeworm matures the tail segments drops off. These segments are mobile. Each segment contains the eggs of the tapeworm. The egg packets are passed in the feces of the dog. 7. The eggs are then ingested by the flea larvae 8. The most common areas that tapeworm eggs are found are in the dog's bedding and in your carpet. 9. Dogs can also acquire tapeworms by eating infected rodents or lizards.

Droncit, Cestex, Drontal, Drontal Plus, Telmintic, and Vercom Paste are highly effective against all the common dog tapeworms. Use them under veterinary guidance.

Prevention y A regular de-worming regime (see above) is important and also equally important is an effective flea control regime. Humans can become infected with the tapeworm Dipylidium Caninum but it is rare. Tapeworm Infection in Humans is not usually spread by dogs.

Baylisascaris procyonis Baylisascaris is a genus of roundworms that infest more than fifty animal species. Life cycle y Baylisascaris eggs are passed in feces and become active within a month. They can remain viable in the environment for years, withstanding heat and cold. Animals become infested either by: y Swallowing the eggs, or y Eating another animal infested with Baylisascaris Disease progression y After an animal swallows the eggs, the microscopic larvae hatch in the intestine and invade the intestinal wall. If they are in their definitive host they develop for several weeks, then enter the intestinal lumen, mature, mate, and produce eggs, which are carried out in the fecal stream. If the larvae are in a paratenic host, they break into the bloodstream and enter various organs, particularly the central nervous system. A great deal of damage occurs wherever the larva tries to make a home. In response to the attack, the body attempts to destroy it by walling it off or killing it. The larva moves rapidly to escape, seeking out the liver, eyes, spinal cord or brain. Occasionally they can be found in the heart, lungs, and other organs. Clinical signs in humans y Skin irritations from larvae migrating within the skin. y Respiratory discomfort, liver enlargement, and fever due to reaction to larvae migration. y Eye and brain tissue damage due to the random migration of the larvae. y Nausea, a lethargic feeling, incoordination and loss of eyesight. y Severe neurological signs including imbalance, circling and abnormal behavior, caused by extensive tissue damage due to larval migration through the brain, eventually seizures and coma. Treatment y While worming can rid the intestine of adult Baylisascaris, no treatment has been shown to alleviate illness caused by migrating larvae.Despite lack

How do I know my dog has tapeworms? y You can often see the dried sections of tapeworm around the dogs anus. They resemble rice grains. y Dogs will often scoot around on their rear end due to the irritation. y You may see the moving segments of tapeworm in the dog's poop. y Your vet may examine a smear from your dogs anus under a microscope. Treatment y Treatment is simple and in most cases extremely effective. Your dog will be given a drug that kills tapeworm and doesn't cause side effects. Tapeworm tablets can be purchased from your vet.

of larvicidal effects, albendazole (2040 mg/kg/d for 14 weeks) has been used to treat many cases. Dipylidium caninum y Dipylidium caninum, also called the cucumber tapeworm or the double-pore tapeworm, is a cyclophyllid cestode that infects organisms afflicted with fleas, including canids, felids, and pet-owners, especially children. Adult worms are about 18 inches long. y Eggs (or egg clusters or egg balls) are passed in the host's feces and ingested by fleas, which are in turn ingested by another mammal after the tapeworm larvae partially develop. Taenia/Echinococcus y Echinococcus granulosus, also called the Hydatid worm or Hyper Tape-worm, is acyclophyllid cestode that parasitizes the small intestine of canids as an adult, but which has important intermediate hosts such as livestock and humans, where it causes hydatid disease. y The adult tapeworm ranges in length from 2 mm to 7 mm and has three proglottids ("segments") when intact - an immature proglottid, mature proglottid and a gravid proglottid. y Like all cyclophyllideans, E. granulosus has four suckers on its scolex ("head"), and E. granulosus also has a rostellum with hooks. Prevention and treatment y Hydatid disease is treated with surgery, taking special care to leave the cyst intact so new cysts do not form, and mebendazole over a long period of time at low dosages. y The best way to keep dogs from being infected is to prevent them from eating infected offal. The best way to avoid human infection is to avoid ingesting food or other substances contaminated with dog feces. Diagnosis y Diagnosis in the definitive host, the dog, is difficult by ordinary microscopy as it cannot differentiate between Taenia and Echinococcus eggs. y Detection of antigens in feces byELISA is currently the best available technique. y Newer techniques like PCR is also used to identify the parasite from DNA isolated from eggs or feces.

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causes anemia and also compromising the immune system. Infection can occur by penetration of the skin, eating other hosts such as birds, or by directly consuming the organism. This hookworm can also infect humans, causing a dermatitis

HOOKWORM Ancylostoma caninum y Also known as : Canine Hookworm y a species possessing three pairs of ventral teeth in the oral cavity; common in dogs, but also occurring in human skin as a cause of cutaneous larva migrans. y more pathogenic for dogs since it causes much greater blood loss per worm. Ancylostoma braziliense & tubaeforme y Are the two most common hookworms that infects cats.

Mode of transmission: y Through the Skin: Larvae entering through the skin migrate through the bloodstream to the lungs and trachea, and are coughed up and swallowed. They attach themselves to the intestinal wall, mature, mate, and produce eggs, thus completing the life cycle. Some larvae may migrate to muscles, fat, or other tissues and become dormant. y Through Ingestion: Larvae may be ingested through contaminated food or water, from moist surfaces, or through eating transport hosts that have been infected by the larvae. Most larvae that are ingested usually pass down to the intestine where they mature into adults and remain. A few however, may migrate through tissues of the body and ultimately to the trachea where they are coughed up and swallowed. Some larvae will stop their migration midway and encyst in muscles, fat, or other tissues. y Through the Uterus or Milk: Larvae that encyst and lie dormant in the muscle, fat, or other tissues can subsequently migrate to the uterus of a pregnant animal and infect the fetuses. They can also migrate to the mammary glands of a lactating female and infect nursing puppies. Signs and Symptoms: y By feeding on the blood of the host, hookworms can rapidly cause anemia. The mucous membranes e.g., gums, will appear pale, the animal will become weak, and sometimes black, tarry stools can be seen. y There may be vomiting and diarrhea. y Growth in young animals is stunted, and the hair coat may appear dull and dry.

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In severe infestations, animals may cough or develop pneumonia as the larvae migrate through the lungs. Animals may become emaciated and eventually die from the infection.

Diagnosis: y Diagnosis is made by finding the eggs in the feces. In very young animals, severe disease may be present before the adult worms have started to lay eggs. Diagnosis must then be made by evaluating the signs of disease. y The eggs of different parasites of horses and deer can easily be confused with hookworm eggs. Sometimes, it is necessary to confine the dog away from any tempting manure or droppings for 24 hours and then repeat the fecal exam. If the eggs are still there, they are most likely hookworm eggs. y The adult worms are small, to inches long, and are rarely detected in the stool because of their size and ability to firmly attach themselves to the intestinal wall. Control and Prevention: Deworming y Puppies and kittens* Initiate treatment at 2 weeks; repeat at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age, and then put on a monthly heartworm preventive that also controls intestinal parasites. Using a year-round heartworm preventive/intestinal parasite combination product decreases the risk of parasites. If not using such a product, worm at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age and then monthly until 6 months of age. y Nursing Dams Treat at the same time as puppies. Adult Dogs and cats If on a year-round heartworm preventive/intestinal parasite combination product, have a fecal test performed 1-2 times per year and treat appropriately. If not on a year-round heartworm preventive/intestinal parasite combination product, have a fecal test performed 2-4 times per year and treat appropriately. Also monitor and eliminate parasites in pet's environment. Newly Acquired Animals Worm immediately, after 2 weeks, and then follow above recommendations. Severely Infected Animals: In addition to deworming, severely infected animals may need supportive care including high-protein diets and iron supplements. In critical cases, blood transfusions may be necessary.

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A bleach solution of 3 cups of household bleach to a gallon of cool water should be sprayed or mopped on the area. Flaming the surface soil can kill the larvae. Gravel runs are best treated with sodium borate applied at the rate of 10 lbs/100 sq. ft. (Sodium borate will kill vegetation.) Since mice and other rodents can serve as transport hosts, their control is important.

Vaccinations: y Vaccinations are a way of triggering the immune system so in the future if the animal is exposed to the disease the body will respond by producing antibodies which has the result of elimination of the disease or very mild clinical signs. y The vaccination is the injection of antigenic material to produce immunity. y Vaccination is considered to be the most effective and cost-effective method of preventing infectious diseases. y Vaccination in puppies and kittens usually begins when the immunity from the colostrum falls and the animal needs to rely on its own immune system. y This is about 6-10 week of age. During their life cats and dogs will need o have an inital course of vaccination, followed by yearly boosters.

Treating the Environment y The larvae of hookworms can live several weeks in cool, moist soil, but die rapidly in freezing or hot, dry conditions. Yards and kennels should be cleaned daily. Floors in kennels and dog runs should be impervious, so they are easier to clean. y All fecal material should be removed, since organic material will decrease the effectiveness of cleaning solutions. Any feces should be picked up in a daily basis.

Uncinaria stenocephala y Common name: The Northern hookworm of dogs. y Uncinaria is not as avid a blood-sucker as the other dog and cat hookworms. Infection is more serious in puppies. y Chronic infections in mature animals are marked by unthriftiness and poor coat condition. y Skin lesions from larval penetration also occur. y Cutaneous Larval Migrans occurs in man and others when hookworm larvae migrate in the skin of an abnormal host. Papule formation, edema and pruritis are the symptoms. y The pre-parasitic larval stages are primarily subtropical, and are common in the southeastern

Type: Ancylostomatoid Nematode Zoonotic: No Definitive Hosts: Dogs, Cats Infection Site: Small Intestine Diagnostic Test: Fecal Flotation Diagnostic Stage: Thin-Shelled Egg, Elliptical in Shape Transmission Mode: Per Cutaneous, Ingestion (per os) Life Cycle: The host ingests an infective third stage larva. The larva matures to the adult in the small intestine. Eggs are laid in the small intestine and pass out with the feces. The prepatent period is about 15 to 17 days. The eggs hatch in the soil and the larvae molt twice to reach the infective third-stage. Adult parasite is most often found in hosts small intestine.

FLUKES Paragonimus kellicotti was first discovered in Kentucky. Due to its geographic range, this lung fluke is more commonly known as the North American lung fluke. However, over the years, this fluke has become widespread and even cases of infected dogs with P. kellicotti have been studied in the Middle East, particularly in Israel. As internal parasites with complex life cycles, this species is found where its hosts dwell. The larval stages parasitize snails and then crustaceans, mainly crawfish and crabs, and therefore dwell in fresh or saltwater. Adult North American lung flukes parasitize cats, dogs, minks, and humans. At this stage, they occupy a wide range of terrestrial habitats.

Physical Appearance y Adult lung flukes are dorso-ventrally flattened, softbodied parasites. The tegument is covered with spines. These parasites are usually brown in color and oval in shape, resembling a coffee bean. Oral and ventral suckers are almost equal in size. Ventral suckers allow them to attach to the host. Paragonimus species are usually distinguished from one another by the metacercaria and tegumental spine shape. Life Cycle y The adult fluke infects cats, dogs, mink, or muskrats. The adult fluke passes its eggs in soil or feces, and the eggs hatch and develop into a miricidium. y The miricidium penetrates its first intermediate host, usually a gastropod, Pomatiopsis lapidaria. y From the miricidium, several asexually active sporocysts forms and then redia, another larval form. Cells within the redia produce cercariae, a free living stage. y Cercariae leave the snail and infects the second intermediate host, a crawfish or crab. y The cercariae encyst in tissue and are then termed metacercariae. y When an animal or human eats these crustaceans they swallow these infected hosts, and the cysts are broken down by the digestive enzymes. y The juvenile parasites become the adult form and lays its eggs again. The new larvae begin to feed on the intestine of the human, and the cycle begins again. Lifespan y This specific lung fluke, P. kellicotti, has been known to survive for a period of up to 20 years in the lungs of a living human body. Lung flukes live so long because they go through several hosts - as many as three different hosts. Treatment y Fenbendazole for treatment of Paragonimus kellicotti infection in dogs

Direct: egg shed in feces, hatches and develops to L3 (infective stage). Host is infected by: y skin penetration, or penetration of oral mucosa if ingested, with tracheal migration back to the intestine y oral ingestion with development in intestine (no pulmonary migration with oral ingestion) y ingestion of paratenic hosts (e.g. rodents). Prepatency is 15-18 days Prevention: y Infection is best prevented by sanitation; raising animals on concrete and disinfecting and drying this surface frequently. Clinical Signs: y Light infections are asymptomatic. y Diarrhea and hypoproteinemia occur in heavier infections. ** Diagnostic Stage: Eggs are found in fecal flotation. Egg measures 75 um long by 45 um wide. ** Common Diagnostic Test Fecal float to recover eggs. ** Treatment Febantel , Febantel/ Pyrantel embonate Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, Mebendazole, Pyrantel pamoate

LUNGWORM Capillaria aerophila y Capillaria aerophila is a nematode parasite found in the respiratory tract of foxes, dogs, and various other carnivorous mammals. y A few cases of human infestation have also been reported. Though it is sometimes called a "lungworm", this term usually refers to other species of nematodes. y Infestation by C. aerophila is referred to as "pulmonary capillariasis", "bronchial capillariasis. y This parasite has a direct life cycle, meaning that the life cycle can be completed in a single host. y C. aerophila usually causes only minor clinical symptoms, such as irritation of the respiratory tract and coughing. However, secondary bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, including pneumonia, may develop in heavy infestations. Life cycle y Capillaria aerophila has a direct life cycle, meaning that it can be completed in one host. y The adults lay eggs in the lungs. y The eggs are coughed up and swallowed by the host; and are then passed in the feces. y In about 5-7 weeks, the larvae develop into the infective stage within the egg envelope in the soil. y The infective larvae remain viable for up to 1 year. y When a suitable host eats these mature eggs, the larvae hatch in the intestines and migrate to the lungs. y They mature into adults about 40 days post-infection. y Earthworms may act as intermediate hosts, by eating the C. aerophila eggs and infecting mammalian hosts when eaten by the mammals. y However, the involvement of the earthworms is not necessary for the completion of the C. aerophila life cycle. Clinical symptoms y Most cases of Capillaria aerophila infestation in dogs and cats are without serious clinical symptoms. y Heavy infestations may result in inflammation of the respiratory tract (rhinitis,tracheitis or bronchitis), or secondary bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, including bronchopneumonia. y These developments are usually characterized by a whistling sound when the animal breathes, frequent sneezing, or a deep, wheezing cough. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention: y Infestation is easily diagnosed by the presence of C. aerophila eggs in the nasal or tracheal lavage, or the feces of infested animals. y Standard anthelmintics, such as ivermectin or fenbendazole, are recommended for treatment of dogs. y Humans infested with C. aerophila have been successfully treated with albendazole and mebendazole. y For animals kept in outdoor pens, proper drainage and allowing sunlight to hit the floor of the pen have been suggested to minimize the spread of infestation.

WHIPWORM Trichuris vulpis y Trichuris vulpis is whipworm that lives in the large intestine of canines in its adult stages. y Out of different types of worms, Trichuris vulpis is one of the smaller worms with a size ranging from 3050 mm in length. y As the name suggests, the worm has a whip-like shape with distinct features including a small, narrow anterior head, which is the digestive part of the worm, and a larger posterior tail, which is the reproductive part of the worm. y Eggs from T. vulpis are oval shaped with bipolar plugs and contain a thick outer shell. y Because of their thick outer shell, T. vulpis eggs are very resistant to environmental extremes such as freezing or hot temperatures, thus allowing for their long viability in the outside world. Life cycle y The life cycle of Trichuris vulpis begins with the adult whipworms living in the large intestines of dogs. T. vulpis lay many eggs in the large intestine and are released in the feces into the outside environment. y When eggs are released into the outside environment, these unembryonated eggs are able to form embryos in the soil in about 24 weeks, at which point they become infective when ingested by the new host. y An infective larva develops within the egg before it is even ingested by the new host. y Another canine becomes a new host by ingesting the egg containing the larva. y Once ingested, the egg gets into the small intestine where it hatches to release its larva. y The larvae invade the small intestinal mucosa and remain there for about 15 days. y Afterward, the larva then travel from the small intestine into the large intestine where they go through several stages to become an adult whipworm in the large intestine. y Once an adult, their whip-like shape containing a narrow anterior head allows them to burrow through the large intestinal walls while their posterior reproductive end protrudes them into the lumen. y Adult whipworms live inside the cecum, colon, and rectum for about three months before they lay eggs intermittently to be released in feces where they can become infective to another host. Pathology/Symptoms y Because the eggs of T. vulpis eggs are very resistant from desiccation, they can live in soil for up to seven years. y Once ingested by the canine, the eggs hatch and the resulted larvae live in the small intestine. At this point, though infected, the canine is still asymptomatic. y When adult form, T. vulpis live primarily in the cecum with its anterior end attached to the superficial mucosa and its posterior end extended to the cecal lumen where it consumes the canines blood, tissue fluid, and mucosal epithelium.

Severe infections include symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, and anemia, and in extreme cases, death.

Diagnosis y Infection of this parasite can be confirmed with detection of eggs in the canines feces. However, this is difficult because egg production is usually small, its shedding is periodic, and its structure is dense which prevents from floating. Symptoms may appear before the eggs are shed in the feces due to the long prepatent period. Treatment y Infection of this parasite can be treated in several ways. There is a single treatment with includes a combination of febantel, pyrantel and praziquantel. y There is also a monthly treatment with the administration of combination drugs as well. Prevention and Control y Keeping canines away from contaminated areas, especially areas where there are feces can prevent them from contracting T. vulpis. There is no effective way to kill the parasites eggs in the soil, so it is might be necessary to replace the soil and cleaning out litter boxes and kennels frequently. y Dogs should have fecal examinations and deworming as necessary. If a dog is detected to be infected with T. vulpis, it should be treated immediately to prevent infection of other dogs.

Toxocara cati y Paratenic hosts, such as mice, play a more significant role in the lifecycle of T. cati because of the more aggressive predatory nature of cats. y Prenatal infection does not occur in the lifecycle of T. cati. y A high percentage of larvae (hatching from ingested infective eggs) undergo tracheal migration, even in older, mature cats. y Transmammary transmission is the major route of infection for T cati in kittens. Tissue larvae and larvae acquired during pregnancy will migrate to the mammary glands of lactating queens and be available for nursing kittens throughout the entire lactation. y A wide range of other animals, in addition to mice, may also serve as paratenic hosts. These include chickens, earthworms, and cockroaches.

Toxascaris leonina y Dog and cat definitive hosts may become infected in two ways: y Ingestion of infective eggs containing second-stage larvae. y Ingestion of intermediate hosts containing encysted third-stage larvae. y Since there is no somatic migration in dogs and cats, there are no prenatal or transmammary infections. Mice, and to a lesser extent, other rodents and chickens, may serve as paratenic hosts for T. leonina

ROUNDWORM y Ascariasis of dogs, especially pups, is caused by Toxocara canis, and, of cats, by Toxocara cati; both host species are infected by Toxascaris leonina. These are relatively large, robust worms up to 1012 cm long, so distension of the small intestine often leads to colic, interference with gut motility, and inability to use food. A female may lay 200,000 eggs in a day. The eggs are protected by a hard shell. They are extremely hardy and can live for months or years in the soil.

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Mode of transmission: Toxocara canis y Dogs may become infected by four routes: y Direct transmission, by ingesting infective eggs. y Paratenic host transmission, by ingesting infected mice. y Transmammary transmission in which nursing pups ingest L3s in their mother's milk. y Prenatal transmission where pups are born infected as a result of L2s migrating from tissue reservoirs in the pregnant bitch - across the placenta and through the umbilical vein to the fetal liver, where they remain until birth. They then resume migration to the lungs of the newborn pups.

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Due to irritation of intestinal mucosa by mature worms vomiting is seen. Cough, nasal discharge, noisy breathing may be seen in pups due to the migration of the larvae through the respiratory system. In pups nervous symptoms are shown known as ascaris toxaemia. Death may occur due to obstruction of intestine by the worms and also due to ulceration and perforation of the intestinal wall.

Differential Diagnosis y Hookworm infection y Strongyloides infection Zoonosis Three syndromes of Toxocara infection are generally seen in man: y Covert toxocariasis: Signs and symptoms of covert toxocariasis in man are coughing, fever, abdominal pain, headaches, difficulty in sleeping and behavioral problems y Visceral larva migrants: It occurs when the larvae enters larvae enters the internal organs of man and causes inflammation. The signs and symptoms observed in man are loss of weight, loss of appetite, headache, abdominal pain, bronchospasm, fatigue, nausea and occasionally, seizures. y Ocular larva migrants: It occurs by migration of larva into the posterior segment of the eye and occurs usually in older children and young adults. The signs and symptoms observed are decreased vision, red eye white pupil, fixed pupil, retinal fibrosis, retinal detachment, inflammation of the eye tissues, unilateral visual loss. Diagnostic Procedures y Fecal egg examination of pups, kittens >3 weeks of age y Toxocara eggspherical, with pitted outer shell membrane, single dark cell (zygote filling interior), 8085 mm (T. canis) approximately 75 mm (T. cati) y Toxascaris eggovoid, with smooth exterior shell membrane, 1- or 2-cell, not filling interior, light cytoplasm, 80 70 mm y Necropsy findings of siblings that have died of similar signs Treatment Adulticide/Larvicide Anthelmintics y Fenbendazole 50 mg/kg PO q24h for 5 days y Milbemycin oxime tabs monthly Adulticide Anthelmintics y Dichlorvos twice monthly y Febantel + praziquantel tablets for cats; febantel + praziquantel + pyrantel pamoate tablets for dogs y Ivermectin + pyrantel pamoate monthly y Pyrantel pamoate twice monthly Contraindications/Possible Interactions y Organophosphates in heartworm-positive patients y Do not give dichlorvos concurrently with other organophosphates such as insecticides

Clinical Signs The dog show signs of: y Unthriftiness y Dullness y Pale mucous membrane y Rough and harsh body coat y Emaciation y Anemia y Diarrhea and constipation. The worms absorb the nutrition from what the dog eats and can damage the intestinal lining. y The dog reluctant to move, groan when touched or lifted and is either pot-bellied or the abdomen is tucked up.