Parasitology

Question 1

What is the specific gravity of most parasite eggs?

Answer 1

Between 1.100 and 1.200
SG of water is 1.000

Question 2

Toxocara canis

Answer 2

Roundworms; found in the small intestines.

3-5 week prepatent period
Method of infection: Ingestion, paramedic host, transplacentally, transmammary

Clinical signs: poor growth, emaciation, intestinal blockage, vomiting, diarrhea, death

Control: remove feces from environment

Question 3

Ancylostoma caninum

Answer 3

Hookworms; found in the small intestines

3-5 week prepatent period

Method of infection: Skin penetration, injection, transmammary, paramedic host, transplacentally

Clinical signs: anemia, weakness, melena

Control: remove feces from environment

other info: most likely to cause anemia

Question 4

Uncinaria stenocephalo

Answer 4

Hookworms; found in small intestines

2 week prepatent period

Method of infection: ingestion, skin penetration (not likely)

Clinical signs: usually no obvious clinical signs. In heavy infection in dogs, hypoproteinemia, dehydration, weakness

Control: remove feces from environment

Question 5

Trichuris vulpis

Answer 5

Whipworms; found in large intestines

3 mo prepatent period

Method of infection: ingestion

Clinical signs: severe watery diarrhea, hematochezia, leading to rapid dehydration and death (in severe cases)

Control: remove from environment

Question 6

Dirofilaria immitis

Answer 6

Heartworm; found in heart
Prepatent period: 6-8 months
Method of infection: transmission from infective mosquito bites, transplacental infection of microfilariae only
Clinical signs: lethargy, exercise intolerance, signs referable to right-sided cardiac enlargement
Control: use of preventives, reduce exposure to mosquitoes in endemic areas

Question 7

Toxocara cati

Answer 7

Roundworm of cats; found in small intestines
Prepatent period: 8 weeks
Method of infection: ingestions, transmammary
Clinical signs: usually none, cat may vomit worm or two
Control: clean up environment

Question 8

Ancylostoma tubaeforme

Answer 8

Hookworm of cats; found in small intestines
Prepatent period: 3 weeks
Method of infection: Skin penetration, ingestion, transmammary infection
Clinical signs: anemia, emaciation, weakness, melon, death

Question 9

Toxascaris leonina

Answer 9

Roundworms; found in small intestines
Prepatent period: 11 weeks
Method of infection: ingestion of infective eggs or paratenic host
Clinical signs: heavy worm burdens may cause weakness, dehydration, poor condition
Control: clean environment

Question 10

Ancylostoma braziliense

Answer 10

Hookworms; found in small intestines
Prepatent period: 3 weeks
Method of infection: ingestion, skin penetration
Clinical signs: anemia, diarrhea, melena, emaciation, weakness
Control: clean environment

Question 11

Dipylidium canium

Answer 11

Tapeworm; found in small intestines
Prepatent period: 3 weeks
Method of infection: ingestion of a cysticercoid in intermediated host (flea, lice, etc)
Clinical signs: usually none, may see segments in feces, scooting
Control: control of intermediate hosts

Question 12

Taenia spp

Answer 12

Tapeworm; found in small intestines
Prepatent period: 2 months
Method of infection: ingestion of cysticercus in intermediate host (rabbit, rodent)
Clinical sings: usually none, may see segments in feces
Control: restrict pets from eating wildlife

Question 13

Echinococcus spp

Answer 13

Tapeworm; found in small intestines
Prepatent period: 47 days
Method of infection: ingestion of hydatid or alveolar hydatid cysts in intermediate host (moose, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, deer)
Clinical signs: usually none
Control: restrice pets from eating raw meat, viscera, and wildlife

Question 14

Paragonimus kellicotti

Answer 14

Lung fluke; found in lungs
Prepatent period: 1 mo
Method of infection: ingestion of metacercariae in crayfish
Clinical signs: often none, may be intermittent chronic coughing
Control: control environment

Question 16

Cuterebra

Answer 16

is a botfly. The adults deposit eggs in the environment that animals may acquire as they pass through contaminated areas