Whipworms are a common parasite that makes their home in the large intestine and cecum of dogs, causing irritation and leading to a host of uncomfortable symptoms. Today, our Tucson vets explain more about whipworms in dogs, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
What is whipworm in dogs?
Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) are intestinal parasites that can have a negative impact on your dog's general health. These parasites, which are about a quarter of an inch long, live in your dog's large intestine and cecum, where they cling to the mucosal lining and cause significant inflammation. Swallowing infective whipworm eggs in dirt or other items that may contain dog feces is what causes whipworm in dogs.
What causes whipworms in dogs?
Dogs can get whipworms by ingesting the eggs found in contaminated soil or feces from infected animals. Once inside the dog's digestive system, the eggs hatch and develop into adult worms that attach to the intestinal lining, causing damage and leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and weight loss.
What do whipworms look like?
This intestinal parasite can be easily identified by its shape. They have a thicker front end and a long thin back end that look much like a whip.
What is the whipworm lifecycle in dogs?
A whipworm's lifecycle consists of three stages: egg, larva, and adult. The eggs hatch in the dog's intestine and eventually end up in its stool. This means that a whipworm-infected dog spreads whipworm eggs with every bowel movement. The eggs are extremely durable, lasting up to five years in the environment.
Once the eggs are released into the wild, they typically mature into the infective stage in 10-60 days, at which point they are ready to infect the next host animal.
Soon after being consumed, they hatch and mature in the pet's intestine, where they lay more eggs and repeat the cycle.
Symptoms of Whipworm in Dogs
If your dog was recently infected, there will most likely be few signs of a whipworm infection, and some dogs will remain asymptomatic (without symptoms) even in the later stages of infection. However, here are some of the most common whipworm symptoms in dogs:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Blood in stool
- Anemia
How are whipworms in dogs diagnosed?
Fecal exams at your vet's office are the best way to monitor your dog for intestinal parasites including whipworms. Whipworms take up to 12 weeks to mature and begin laying eggs and tend to lay limited numbers of eggs on an inconsistent basis. For these reasons, diagnosis can be tricky and may require repeated fecal exams to reach an accurate diagnosis.
What is the treatment for whipworms in dogs?
Because whipworm eggs are so resilient, reinfection often occurs making whipworms a challenging parasite to get rid of.
Whipworm treatment for dogs consists of prescription pills that kill the parasites that live in your dog's intestine, as well as additional treatments that address any unpleasant symptoms your dog is experiencing. Most whipworm medications for dogs require two treatments, spaced three to four weeks apart. To prevent reinfection, thoroughly clean your dog's bedding, kennel, and dog run. Your veterinarian may also suggest that you re-treat your dog every 3–4 months to help prevent reinfections.
Can I prevent my dog from getting whipworm?
Yes! Prevention is usually much easier and more effective than treatment. Many heartworm treatments for dogs also prevent whipworm. Regularly giving your pet heartworm medication may also protect him or her from intestinal parasites like whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Consult your veterinarian for the best ways to keep your dog safe.
At Pet Doctor we also offer a selection of prevention products to help protect your dog against intestinal parasites.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.