What exactly is a whipworm?
Whipworm is a parasite or worm found in the large intestine and cecum. The adult whipworm is only 1/4” in length. Whipworms cause a great deal of irritation as they attach to the intestinal lining and ingest blood. Whipworm disease is often considered one of the more dangerous worms to a dog’s overall health.

What are the signs of whipworm infection?
Animals that test positive for whipworm may have no symptoms, be critically ill, or present with profuse watery or even bloody diarrhea. In some cases whipworm disease can lead to electrolyte disorders that resemble another condition called Addison’s Disease.

How do dogs and cats get whipworm?
Whipworm disease is transmitted from dog to dog via eggs passed in the feces. While it takes ten to sixty days for the fecal eggs to become infective to a dog, they are also very resistant to heat and drying. For this reason once an area has been exposed to whipworms it is assumed that all future dogs kept in this environment will also be exposed. Once ingested the whipworm goes through several stages before arriving in the large intestine and embedding itself.

How is whipworm diagnosed?
A microscopic examination of fecal matter will demonstrate whipworm eggs. Unfortunately whipworm eggs may only be shed intermittently by the female worm. For this reason, pets showing signs of large intestinal diarrhea may benefit from a preventative deworming in spite of a negative fecal exam.

What is the treatment for whipworm?
Treatment for the adult whipworm involves an oral dewormer while also addressing any clinical disease. Some monthly heartworm preventative pills also contain dewormer for whipworms. Whipworm larva that have not yet matured or arrived in the large intestine will not be treated by standard dewormers. This requires repeated treatments as the whipworm matures to an adult and becomes susceptible to drug therapy.

How can whipworm be prevented?
Whipworm is found frequently in the environment making prompt removal of fecal matter essential to control. Cleaning hard surfaces with dilute bleach (one cup per gallon of water) is recommended, but whipworms are considered nearly impossible to remove from the environment once exposed. Avoid taking an infected pet to swim or communal dog areas in an attempt to minimize exposure to others. Monthly treatment with heartworm preventative as early as possible is also recommended.

Can humans contract whipworm?
Humans are not infected by whipworms.

Roundworms are an intestinal parasite that lives in the small intestine of the dog and live off of partially digested food.

Where do roundworms come from?
There are several ways that dogs become infected by Toxocara canis, or the common roundworm.

• Eating microscopic worm eggs from the environment (example-infected dog defecates, another dog steps on soil containing roundworm eggs and then licks paws thereby ingesting the eggs)
• Puppies that nurse from an infected mother’s milk
• Eating an infected prey animal (usually rodent), these animals are carriers and themselves do not become sick but merely pass the worm on
• While in utero from an infected mother

The life cycle of the roundworm is multistep and complicated, but ultimately adult roundworms are found in the intestine.

During development the immature worm migrates through the body and can encyst (essentially allowing it to “hibernate”) in a variety of tissues. When female dogs become pregnant the encysted worms are reactivated, released into the bloodstream and eventually pass on to the puppies through the placenta, milk, and mother’s feces. Puppies less than two weeks old can have dangerous roundworm infections.

What problems do roundworms cause?
Infection with roundworms can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and potential death in the very young or weak. The adult roundworm is very long (up to seven inches) and can lead to intestinal obstruction. Migrating worms can cause respiratory signs including pneumonia.

How is roundworm infection diagnosed?
It should be assumed that all puppies are infected with roundworms and intestinal dewormings should start as early as two weeks of age; ideally mother dogs are dewormed even during pregnancy. A microscopic examination of a stool sample can also reveal roundworm eggs.

Are humans at risk from roundworms?
Oral consumption of roundworm eggs by humans can lead to major medical problems related worms migrating through the body. This is of particular concern with young children who are more likely to be exposed to fecal oral contact while playing outside or in sandboxes. In particular, human roundworm infections can cause serious liver disease and even blindness (ocular larval migrans).

How is my pet treated for roundworms?
Several very safe oral medications are available to treat roundworm infection. These treatments temporarily anesthetize the adult worm causing it to “let go” of the gut and then pass with stool. It is not uncommon to see worms in the stool after treatment that may even be moving. Repeated dewormings are necessary to create worms that are not yet adults in the intestine.

How is roundworm disease prevented?
Roundworm eggs are not immediately infective, so picking up pet feces immediately is the best prevention. Once in the environment, eggs can last for weeks to months and are quite resistant. Monthly heartworm preventative typically also contains a dose of intestinal dewormer providing added protection from environmental exposure. Control of rodents in the environment is also recommended.

What exactly is a hookworm?
Hookworm is a parasite or worm found in the small intestine. The adult hookworm is only 1/8” in length but has six teeth and a voracious appetite for the blood it ingests after “hooking” onto the intestinal wall. There are several different species of hookworms that infect dogs, cats, and humans.

What are the signs of hookworm infection?
Animals that test positive for hookworm may have no symptoms, be critically ill, anemic, or present with profuse diarrhea. Anemia from blood loss is typically the most dangerous aspect of hookworm infection for puppies and kittens. For animals infected via the skin itching may be the primary symptom. In some cases the hookworm migrates through the lung before ending up in the small intestine, thus leading to a cough or respiratory signs.

How do dogs and cats get hookworm?
Hookworm disease can be transmitted in several different ways. Eggs are shed in fecal matter and become infective larva. When another dog or cat swallows these eggs they travel to the intestine and after several stages of development attach to the intestinal wall causing disease. In dogs, hookworms can be transmitted from mother to baby via the placenta during pregnancy or nursing after delivery. The lifecycle of the hookworm allows it to “hibernate” in the adult female’s muscle tissue. Pregnancy hormones then awaken the dormant larva releasing them into the bloodstream to be passed on to the fetus or baby. This is why it is very common for newborns to have parasites in spite of the mother having been dewormed. Hookworm eggs that have matured into larva in the stool can also infect animals or people by penetrating the skin. Finally, an animal may ingest another animal (ex. cockroaches, rodents, birds) that have ingested hookworm larva thus becoming infected themselves.

How is hookworm diagnosed?
A microscopic examination of fecal matter will typically demonstrate hookworm eggs as the adult female can produce 20,000 eggs daily. In the very young however life-threatening disease from the adult hookworm may develop before eggs are seen on a fecal examination. For this reason multiple deworming treatments are recommended for puppies and kittens regardless of fecal results.

What is the treatment for hookworm?
Treatment for the adult hookworm involves an oral or injectable dewormer while also addressing any clinical disease. Monthly heartworm preventative pills also typically contain dewormer for hookworms. Hookworm larva that have not yet matured or arrived in the intestine will not be treated by standard dewormers. This requires repeated treatments as they mature to adults and become susceptible to drugs.

How can hookworm be prevented?
Hookworm is found frequently in the environment making prompt removal of fecal matter essential to control. General good hygiene/handwashing and wearing shoes outside can prevent human exposure. Hookworm eggs do not survive freezing temperatures or hot dry situations. They are typically are short-lived in the environment dying on their own after several months. Cleaning hard surfaces with dilute bleach (one cup per gallon of water) is recommended. Avoid taking an infected pet to swim or communal dog areas in an attempt to minimize exposure to others. Monthly treatment with heartworm preventative as early as possible along with frequent dewormings of puppies and their mothers helps further prevent disease.

Can humans contract hookworm?
Humans are not infected by adult hookworms however hookworm larva can penetrate skin causing an itchy lesion and a condition called cutaneous larval migrans. This normally occurs with extended (5-10 minutes) contact between skin and hookworm infested soil. Sunbathers may be at greater risk from laying on contaminated soil. Less commonly humans can develop hookworms in their intestine typically after ingesting produce that has not been properly washed.

What exactly is Giardia?
Giardia is a parasite found in the intestine. Unlike other intestinal worms, Giardia is a one celled organism better known as protozoa. Animals coming from communal living situations (breeder, shelter, kennels) are commonly diagnosed with giardia infection.

What are the signs of Giardia infection?
Animals that test positive for Giardia can range from having no symptoms to being critically ill, dehydrated and with profuse diarrhea. Giardia found in adult animals showing no symptoms is not typically treated and is considered an insignificant finding. Essentially the healthy immune system keeps Giardia numbers under control preventing illness. It is often not even possible to clear Giardia from these pets. Young animals or immunosuppressed pets testing positive for Giardia are an entirely different situation. These pets are treated in an attempt to clear infection and avoid illness.

How do dogs and cats get Giardia?
Giardia is shed in fecal matter in the form of cysts. When another dog swallows these cysts they travel to the intestine and after several stages of development become infective.

How is Giardia diagnosed?
A microscopic examination of fecal matter will typically demonstrate Giardia cysts. Cell proteins of Giardia can also be tested for in the blood or feces via ELISA. Giardia cysts are very small and can be difficult to visualize; submission of specimens to a reference laboratory is often the most reliable testing method. Giardia cysts can be shed intermittently. If diarrhea persists in a patient retesting for Giardia via ELISA of fecal may be recommended.

What is the treatment for Giardia?
Treatment for Giardia usually involves metronidazole, fenbendazole, or in more resistant situations a combination of the two.

How can Giardia be prevented?
Giardia is found frequently in the environment making prompt removal of fecal matter essential to control. Cleaning surfaces with dilute bleach (one cup per gallon of water) and drying will also kill cysts that are highly resistant that can survive for years in cold moist environments. Bathing at least once during treatment is also recommended to remove any cyst stuck to the fur. Avoid taking an infected pet to swim or communal dog areas in an attempt to minimize exposure to others.

Can humans contract Giardia?
Humans do contract Giardia, but a different strain than animals. There have been cases where pets have contracted human strain Giardia thus making it a zoonotic disease. The risk of human infection from animal strain Giardia is considered rare if not impossible having never been reported. This would be more of a risk for those that are immunocompromised. Drinking contaminated water (fresh or tap) is a common source of exposure for people to human strain Giardia. Care should be taken to avoid handling of fecal matter from infected pets. Contact your physician with any specific questions regarding Giardia in humans.