Ascarids of Small Animals Flashcards
List of ascarids in small animals
Toxocara canis (dogs)
Toxocara cati (cats)
Toxascaris leonina (dos and cats, non-migrating)
Baylisascaris procyonis (racoons and dogs)
What is the length of an adult female Toxocara canis worm?
5 inches
What is the length of an adult female Toxocara cati worm?
3 inches
What is the length of an adult female Toxascaris leonine worm?
2.5 inches
How would you describe Toxocara canis and cati eggs?
Round, rough exterior, thick-shelled, unicellular, dark
How would you describe Toxascaris leonina eggs?
Oval-shaped, smooth-shelled, unicelluar, light on the inside
How long does it take T. canis and cati eggs to become Infective and their prepatent period?
4 weeks (both for canis)
4 weeks, 8 weeks (cati)
How long does it take Toxascaris leonine eggs to become infective and their prepatent period?
1 week
8-10 weeks
Ascarid development in the environment (Pre-parasitic stages)
Unicellular egg –>
Develops to L1 larvae in eggs –>
Molt to L2 in egg –>
Molt to L3 in egg
Ascarid development in the host (parasitic stages)
L3 egg ingested and hatches –>
Molts to L4 –>
Molts to L5 (young adult) –>
Maturation to adult males and females
What organs do migrating larva affect and their clinical signs?
Liver - none
Lung - coughing, dyspnea, sudden death
What organs do adult worms affect and their clinical signs?
Stomach - vomiting
Small intestines - mucoid diarrhea
How do the worms affect puppies’ general body?
Pot-bellied, crying out, rough hair coat, lack of weight gain, obstructive jaundice
What organs do aberrant larva affect and their clinical signs?
CNS - meningitis-like signs
How do you treat an ascarid infection?
Pyrantel Pamoate (Nemex)
Fenbendazole (panacur)
