Canine Parasites Flashcards
The Big 4 Parasites of dogs
- Roundworms 2. Hookworms 3. Whipworms 4. Tapeworms
An ascarid known as the “large roundworm of canines” (large, robust nematode) Found in the small intestines Causes pot belly in dogs
Toxocara canis
These roundworms can be transmitted transplacentally (pups are born with them if mother is infected) or by direct ingestion of infectious eggs Most common parasite in dogs
Toxocara canis
This parasite causes ocular larval migrans or visceral larval migrans in humans
Toxocara canis
Toxocara canis
Known as the K9 hookworm
Nematode of the small intestines that causes anemia and melena
Can travel percutaneously
Ancylostoma sp.
The “Warm Weather Hookworm” that feeds off of blood
Has sharp teeth
Ancylostoma caninum
Ancylostoma sp.
Zoonosis of this parasite causes creeping eruptions in humans
AKA. cutaneous larval migrans
Ancylostoma sp.
Known as the Cold Weather Hookworm
Can be transmitted percutaneous (though not as likely) or ingestion of infective larva
Mouth is made of cutting plates, not sharp teeth so they are not voracious blood suckers
Uncinaria stenocephala
Uncinaria stenocephala
The Canine Whipworm
Found in the LARGE instestines, not small
Causes severe, watery diarrhea, hematochezia, and rapid dehydration
Passed through the ingestion of infective eggs
Trichuris vulpis
Bright red blood in stool
hematochezia
Eggs are dense and heavy and can survive for years
These eggs have plugs that serve as an operculum
Use a sugar solution with centrifugal floatation testing
Trichuris vulpis
Trichuris vulpis
The Nasal Worm of canines
Found in the nasal sinuses (turbinates)
Causes dogs to press their noses against wall or floor
Formerly known as Capillaria bohmi
Eucoleus bohmi
Eucoleus bohmi
The Canine Lungworm
Passed through the ingestion of a paratenic host or infective LARVA
Live in nodules of the lungs so bronchoscopy would help determine what species
Infective L1
Causes chronic C+
Filaroides sp.
Filaroides sp. found in the trachea and bronchioles
F. osleri
Filaroides sp. found in the lung parenchyma
F. hirthi
Filaroides sp. found in the bronchioles
F. milksi
L1s have s-shaped tail
Baermann test is best for the larva
Filaroides sp.
Filaroides sp.
The “Stomach Worm”/”Esophageal Worm”
Caused from ingestion of raw chicken or a dung beetle
Bright red/orange colored worms
If left untreated it can cause malignant tumors
Spirocirca lupi
Paperclip like eggs
Control by not letting dogs eat raw chicken or hunt animals
Spirocirca lupi
Spirocirca lupi
Giant Kidney Worm in dogs
Largest nematodes that affect domestic animals (can be up to 3 ft)
Eats the kidney from inside out
Eggs are carried in urine
Dioctophyma renale
Test using the sedimentation of urine
To remove, best practice is nephrectomy
Dark brown, thick-walled barrel shaped egg with a pitted shell and operculum at each pole
Dioctophyma renale
Dioctophyma renale
The Guinea Worm
Found in the subcutaneous tissues of dogs
Leaves pea-sized blisters on legs, elbows, and axillary area
Blisters are painful and itchy
Caused by ingestion of crustaceans in infected water or drinking infected water
Dracunculus insignis
Comma shaped larva
When blister is dipped in water, female erupts from the blister and releases larva
Testing used: direct smear of fluid in the blister
Dracunculus insignis
Dracunculus insignis
Canine heartworm
Affects the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle
PPP: 6-8 mos
Spread through bite of an infected mosquito
Dirofilaria immitis
When viewing on a slide, microfilaria stay in one spot and undulate in a sluggish manner
ELISA test is best for diagnostics
Using preventatives is the best practice
Dirofilaria immitis
Dirofilaria immitis
Most common adulticide for treating Heartworm
Immiticide
When a dog is treated with Immiticide, the injection is given
IM in the epaxials
How many injections are given of Immiticide in heartworm treatment?
3
To treat microfilaria in a pt with heartworm dz, a microfilaricide is given first. What is the most common?
Ivermectin
This drug used to be in practice for treating heartworm dz, but has been replaced by immiticide
Carparsolate
Subcutaneous filarial worm (nematode)
Formerly called Dipetalonema reconditum
Nonpathogenic
Transmitted through infective flea bites
Very skinny, hairlike nematode
Acanthocheilonema reconditum
Blunt shaped tail with a hook
Best prevention is flea preventatives
Acanthocheilonema reconditum
Acanthocheilonema reconditium
