The whipworm (trichuris vulpus) is a small, thread-like worm that lives in the large intestine and cecum (the
cecum is a blind pouch located between the small and large intestine resembling the human appendix).
The whipworm gets its name from its body shape being very delicate with a
tail that tapers into a narrow “whip-like” structure. It is small and
difficult to see with the naked eye.
Symptoms depend upon the number of parasites embedded in the colon and
cecum. They can can range from gradual weight loss with or without diarrhea, to
severe diarrhea and/or massive rectal bleeding (many dogs will have mucoid-like
diarrhea).
Infestation - occurs by:
- Ingestion of soil (or items containing soil) contaminated with whipworm eggs.
Diagnosis - special tests are often needed to concentrate the eggs so
they can be seen under the microscope. Since the whipworm
eggs can be few in number and may further be diluted because of diarrhea, it may
takes several samples to find these worm eggs (if they are found at all). Also,
it takes about 3-4 months after infection until eggs are passed in an infected
pet’s stool. Therefore, the veterinarian will sometimes make a diagnosis based
on symptoms and response to medication. Fortunately, whipworms have been much
less common in our practice since using the heartworm preventatives Interceptor® and Sentinel®, which help in controlling several of the common
intestinal parasites, including whipworms. To aid in diagnosis,
bring a fresh, preferably less than 24 hour old, stool sample -- if there has
been diarrhea, bring the firmest sample available.
Treatment - animals infected with whipworms should be treated with
an appropriate
medication. Please follow instructions. Often the treatment
requires
more than one treatment or an on-going program that may be included with the
monthly heartworm medication, as mentioned above, since re-infestation can occur.
Regardless,
we suggest you also clean the yard or area of stool, or even better - use an
area that infested dogs are not likely to have used.
