Parasites

Question 1

What are the NZ worms/protozoa tested for?

Answer 1

Roundworms​

Hookworms​

Tapeworms​

Whipworms​

Toxoplasma (protozoa)​

Giardia and Tritrichomonas (protozoa)​

Question 2

What is a McMasters test used for?

Answer 2

It is a way of counting parasitic eggs, it is done on faeces. This test is mainly used for large animals (horses, cattle) and not for small animals like dogs and cats.

Question 3

What can be diagnosed using a wood’s lamp?

Answer 3

Ringworm. The by-product of the fungus glows bright green under this lamp.

Question 4

What are the hookworms that affect pets?

Answer 4

Uncinaria spp and Ancylostoma

Question 5

What are the roundworms that affect pets?

Answer 5

T.canis, T.cati and T.leonina

Question 6

What are the whipworms that affect dogs?

Answer 6

T.vulpis

Question 7

What are the tapeworms that affect pets?

Answer 7

Taenia species (dog, cat), Dipylidium caninum (dogs, cats), Echinococcus granulosus (dog),

Question 8

How do tapeworms affect pets?

Answer 8

Lives in the intestines and feeds off of digestive food. Most pets do not have any symptoms, and if symptoms are present, are mild in nature. Some pets will itch at their anus or scoot on the ground.

Question 9

How do whipworms affect pets?

Answer 9

Attach to intestinal wall and eat blood. Symptoms of Whipworm infestation include chronic diarrhea with mucous, straining, anemia, and weight loss. May be no signs.

Question 10

How do roundworms affect pets?

Answer 10

They burrow through the intestines and travel through the liver to the heart or to the lungs. Common symptoms are a distended abdomen and diarrhea. Some puppies and kittens will be vomiting, lethargic and not eating well, while others will not show any symptoms. The parasite load can be so heavy that the intestines become obstructed. Lung damage can occur in pups that have large numbers of larvae migrating through there.

Question 11

How do hookworms affect pets?

Answer 11

Have teeth-like structures or cutting plates with which they attach themselves to the wall of the intestine and feed on the animal’s blood. Symptoms include lethargy, dark stools or diarrhea, weakness and vomiting. In severe cases, they are anemic and debilitated.

Question 12

How does Giardia affect pets?

Answer 12

Attaches to the small intestine and cause diarrhoea, poor appetite and dehydration. Vomiting, weight loss and blood in the stool are occasional symptoms. In many pets, there aren’t any symptoms.

Question 13

How does Cryptosporidium affect pets?

Answer 13

WIP

Question 14

How does Neospora affect pets?

Answer 14

WIP

Question 15

How does Toxoplasma affect pets?

Answer 15

It does not usually cause any symptoms in the cat at all.

Question 16

How does Coccidia affect pets?

Answer 16

Symptoms usually occur in young animals and include diarrhea and abdominal pain. Young animals can become severely dehydrated and infection can be life-threatening. Many pets, do not show any symptoms when infected.

Question 17

How do fleas affect pets?

Answer 17

Causes itching, and flea dirt.

Question 18

How do Sarcoptes affect pets?

Answer 18

Causes Sarcoptic Mange ​(Scabies), parasite burrows into the skin, causing scaliness, redness, hair loss and extreme itching causing skin damage.

Question 19

How do Demodex affect pets?

Answer 19

Naturally lives in small numbers. Excess causes itching or no itching. Lives in hair follicles. Causes local or general Demodectic Mange.

Question 20

How does Cheyletiella affect pets?

Answer 20

Causes white scaly flakes and itchiness.

Question 21

What is Cheyletiella also known as?

Answer 21

Walking dandruff

Question 22

What is Otodectes cynotis also known as?

Answer 22

Ear mites

Question 23

How do Otodectes cynotis affect pets?

Answer 23

Itchy ears in dogs, cats may show no symptoms. Head shaking, waxy/gritty discharge (looks like coffee grounds). Lives in the external ear canal but can be found on the body​.

Question 24

How do ticks affect pets?

Answer 24

Pushes whole head into the pet, sucks blood. Can be seen more easily than other parasites.

Question 25

How do lice affect pets?

Answer 25

Lice live on pet’s skin and feed on their skin debris. They will make the pet itchy. ​The dog’s coat will appear dry, scruffy and dull. Dermatitis, itchiness and self-trauma are all signs of lice.

Question 26

How does ringworm affect pets?

Answer 26

Live on the skin.​ Infection of hair, epidermis, and claw. Causes patches of broken hair – usually shows in a circular pattern but not always