Feces Evaluation Flashcards
Parasite
An organism that lives in or on another host organism
Parasitology
The study of parasites and their relationships to host
Endoparasite
Parasite that infects internal organ(s) including: stomach, intestines, heart, lung, kidney, liver, and muscle
Ectoparasite
Parasite that infects host in or on the skin
Ova
Egg
Larva
Immature parasite form, there may be several larval stages in the development of parasite
Cyst
Dormant phase of parasite, usually very resistant to heat, drying, etc.
Prepatent Period
Time period between infection with parasite and appearance of diagnostic parameter (i.e. ova in feces)
Zoonoses
An infection that can be transmitted between animals and people
Scientific names
A specific animal/plant has two parts to its name (Genus and Species)
Giardia
What is it?
Unicellar flagellate parasite important
in WA
How is giardia transferred?
Direct consumption of contaminated
water or soil
Effects giardia has?
-No signs to severe diarrhea
-Possible zoonoses (?)
How is giardia diagnosed?
-Fecal centrifugation (Zinc), or ELISA test
-Direct smear of fresh (<30 min) fluid feces
What is toxoplasma?
Unicellar parasite of cats
How is toxoplasma transferred?
-Direct consumption of contaminated soil
-Indirect by consumption of transport host
40% of cats are seropositive, but only 1% are shedding
Effect of toxoplasma?
-No signs to severe systemic disease (eyes & brain of cats)
-Zoonotic risk to pregnant women & immunocompromised!!
(30-40% of US humans are seropositive)
How is toxoplasma diagnosed?
Fecal float
Serology
The most common way that humans acquire Toxoplasma infection is…
Handling raw meat or vegetables!
What are ascarids?
Roundworms of the small intestine
How are ascarids (roundworms) transmitted?
-Direct from environment
-Transmammary (milk) and in utero (Virtually all puppies are born with this parasite)
-Indirect, transport host (ie rodent)
How many eggs can a single ascarid adult lay in one day?
85,000
Effects of ascarids (roundworm)?
-Diarrhea, bloating, malabsorption, cough, possible death in neonates (newborns)
-May be asymptomatic
How to prevent ascarids?
(roundworm)
-Good Hygiene
-Deworm dogs & cats
-Cover sandboxes
Potential Zoonoses!!
What is Ancyclostoma (hookworm)?
-Hemorrhagic enteritis, anemia, pneumonia, and even death
-Found throughout a range of dogs in the US and Canada
How is ancyclostoma (hookworm) transmitted?
-Infect dogs by skin penetration
+Can use mammalian intermediate hosts
-Transmammary (milk) transmission
-Migrate through lungs, coughed up & swallowed
-Can be zoonotic
How is anacylostoma (hookworm) diagnosed?
Anemia associated with eggs in feces
What is tapeworm (Dipylidium canium)?
-Asymptomatic flea tapeworm
-Throughout US and Canada
-Common where fleas are common (60% infection rate in dogs and cats)
How is tapeworm transmitted?
Ingestion of flea containing cyst
How is tapeworm diagnosed?
-Segments or egg packets in feces
-Segments on perineum (“grains of rice”)
Preventing Endoparasites
-Conduct fecal exam 2-4x during first year and then 1-2x/year thereafter
+Treat any parasites found with appropriate Rx
+No one medication is effective against all
-Feed pets cooked food and fresh water
-Prevent hunting by pets
-Pick up feces frequently from yard
-Do not take puppies to public places (beach or school yards)
-Give puppies & kittens Rx for Nematodes
Age 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks (from DVM is ideal)
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA)
Tests to detect fecal stages of parasites
Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA)
Tests to detect fecal parasite antigens (proteins)
How many grams do you need for a fecal float?
At least 1-2 grams
Which parasites can infect puppies/kittens through the mother’s milk (transmammary)?
Hookworms and Roundworms
True or False
The Prepatent Period of a parasite is the time between the host acquiring the infection and the veterinary team’s ability to detect the infection.
True
