Whipworms are intestinal parasites that can infect and feed on the blood of dogs, causing irritation and leading to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Here, our Apple Valley vets explain more about whipworms in dogs, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and prevention.
What is whipworm in dogs?
Trichuris vulpis (more commonly known as whipworms) are intestinal parasites that can seriously impact your dog's overall health and well-being. These parasites can measure around 1/4 of an inch long and make their home in the large intestine and cecum of your dog. While there, they attach to the mucosal lining of your pet and cause serious irritation.
What do whipworms look like?
This intestinal parasite can be easily identified by their shape. They have a thicker front end and long thin back end that look much like a whip.
What is the whipworm lifecycle in dogs?
There are 3 stages to the lifecycle of a whipworm: egg, larvae and adult. Eggs are laid in a dog's intestine, where they are then incorporated into their stool. This means that infected dogs have a chance of spreading hipworm to others every time they have a bowel movement. These eggs are very resilient and may remain alive for up to 5 years in the environment.
Once out in the world, the eggs typically mature into the infective stage in about 10-60 days, at which point they are ready to infect the next host animal. Soon after they are ingested they hatch and mature in the pet's intestine where they lay more eggs and begin the cycle once again.
How do I know if my dog has whipworms?
If your dog has recently become infected with whipworms, there will likely be very few signs you will notice. In later stages of their infection, some dogs may even remain totally asymptomatic. That being said, some common whipworm symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
- Anemia
- Chronic diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Weight loss
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 and on an inconsistent basis. For these reasons, diagnosis can be tricky and may require repeated fecal exams to reach an accurate diagnosis.
How will my vet treat my dog's whipworm infestation?
Because whipworm eggs are so resilient, reinfection often occurs making whipworms a challenging parasite to get rid of.
Treatments for whipworms in dogs will consist of prescriptions of medications to kill the parasites as they live and feed 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 your yard. Your vet may also advise that your retreat your dog every 4 months to help fight reinfections in the near future.
Can I prevent my dog from getting whipworm?
Yes! Prevention is far easier and more effective than treatment in most cases. Many heartworm medications for dogs also protect against whipworms. By providing your pet with monthly heartworm medication you could also be helping to protect your pet against a host of intestinal parasites including whipworms, hookworms and roundworms. Ask your vet for information on how best to protect your dog.
at Apple Valley Animal Hospital we are proud to be able to offer a selection of prevention products to help to 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.
