Whipworms reside in the large intestine of dogs. They feed on your pup's blood and cause irritation and other uncomfortable symptoms. Today, our Glendale vets list the causes and symptoms of whipworms in dogs. They also explain how to treat and prevent this parasitic infection.
What is whipworm in dogs?
Whipworms are intestinal parasites that can severely affect your dog's general health and well-being. These parasites measure about 1/4 of an inch long and live in your dog's large intestine and cecum (a pouch within the peritoneum that's considered to be the beginning of the large intestine). While there, they attach themselves to the mucosal lining of the intestine, feed on your pup's blood, and cause severe irritation.
What Whipworms Look Like
These intestinal parasites measure about 1/4 of an inch long and are easily identifiable by their shape. The whipworm has a thicker front end and a long, thin back end that closely resembles a whip.
What causes whipworm infections in dogs?
A dog who licks or ingests dirt, feces from other dogs, or substances contaminated with whipworm eggs can contract this parasitic infection.
The Lifecycle of The Whipworm in Dogs
The whipworm's lifecycle has three stages: egg, larvae and adult. After eggs are laid in a dog's intestine, they make their way into the dog's stool. This means that infected dogs can spread whipworms to others every time they have a bowel movement. A whipworm's eggs are extremely resilient and may remain in the environment for up to five years.
Once in the environment, eggs typically mature into the infective stage within 10-60 days. The next dog to become a host then ingests the eggs and is infected. Soon after a dog ingests whipworm eggs, these eggs hatch and mature in the pet's intestine, where they lay more eggs and start the cycle over again.
Signs & Symptoms of Whipworm Infections in Dogs
If your dog has recently contracted whipworms, you'll be unlikely to notice signs or symptoms. A dog can even be asymptomatic (not display any symptoms) in the later stages of a whipworm infection. That said, here are some common signs of whipworm infection to look for:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Blood in stool
How Whipworm Infections are Diagnosed
Bringing a sample of your dog's stool to your vet's office for an annual fecal exam is the best way to confirm whether your dog has intestinal parasites, including whipworms. Whipworms take up to 12 weeks to mature and start laying eggs. They tend to lay limited numbers of eggs on an inconsistent basis. For that reason, this parasitic infection can be difficult to diagnose. Multiple fecal exams may be required for your vet to reach an accurate diagnosis.
Your vet may also perform blood tests to check for electrolyte imbalances (increased potassium K+ and decreased sodium Na+), similar to Addison's disease.
Treatment of Whipworm Infections
Because whipworm eggs are so resilient, reinfection often occurs. This makes whipworms a challenging parasite to get rid of.
Treatments for whipworms in dogs will consist of prescription medications to kill the parasites in your dog's intestine. If necessary, further medications may be needed to treat uncomfortable symptoms your dog may be experiencing.
Most medications prescribed to help treat whipworms will require treatments about a month apart. To help prevent reinfection, you should make sure you thoroughly clean your dog's kennel area, bedding, and yard. Your vet may also advise that you treat your dog every four months to help fight reinfections in the near future.
Preventing Whipworm in Dogs
Preventing whipworm by using parasite prevention products is far easier and more effective than treatment. Many heartworm medications for dogs will also protect against whipworms, roundworms and hookworms. By administering monthly heartworm medication, you can protect your dog against multiple dangerous parasites. Ask your vet for information on how best to protect your dog.
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.