| WHIPWORMS |
| Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) Holly Frisby, DVM, MS Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. |
Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis, Trichuris campanula) are common in dogs and found throughout the United
States. Trichuris serrata is rare in cats. Whipworms get their name from the whip-like shape of the adult
worms. The front portion of the worm is very thin (the whip) and the posterior end is thick (whip handle).
Whipworms live in the large intestine and cecum (a small 'dead-end' portion of intestine lying at the junction
of the small intestine and large intestine).
How are whipworms transmitted and how is whipworm infection diagnosed?
A dog or cat becomes infected by ingesting food or water contaminated with whipworm eggs. The eggs are
swallowed, hatch, and in three months, the larvae mature into adults in the cecum and large intestine where
they burrow their mouths into the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Adult worms lay eggs that are passed in
the feces. The eggs must remain in the soil for about a month to mature and be capable of causing infection.
An infection is diagnosed by finding the eggs in the feces. The eggs must be differentiated from those of
the bladder worm (Capillaria plica) and C. aerophilia, a parasite of the respiratory system, but whose eggs
may be found in the feces.
What are the signs of whipworm infection?
The signs of infection vary with the number of worms in the intestine. Small numbers of worms cause no
signs, but larger numbers can result in inflammation of the intestinal wall. Large amounts of mucous are
produced by the inflamed intestine. Sometimes hemorrhage into the intestine occurs, and anemia can result.
Animals may have diarrhea and loss of weight.
In very heavy infections, the worms may penetrate through the intestinal wall and the resulting inflammation
causes the intestine to adhere (stick) to the body wall. Animals with this condition may frequently lick their
right flank area where the adhesion occurs.
Are whipworms a health hazard to people?
There have been reports of people being infected with T. vulpis. Humans are more often infected with T.
trichiura, the human whipworm.
How is a whipworm infection treated?
Common wormers and their effectiveness against whipworms are listed below.
Oral Treatments for Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs
Ingredient(s) Example Range of Efficacy* Minimum Age/Weight
dichlorophen/toluene Triple Wormer R,H,T,F > or = 2.5 lbs
dichlorvos Task R,H,T,F > or = 2.5 lbs
febantel/praziquantel RM Parasiticide-10 R,H,W,T,F > or = to 2 lbs
febantel/praziquantel/ Drontal Plus R,H,W,T,F,E > or = to 3 weeks or 2 lbs
pyrantel pamoate
fenbendazole Panacur R,H,W,T none
ivermectin/ Heartgard Plus R,H > or = 6 weeks
pyrantel pamoate
mebendazole Telmintic R,H,W,T none
milbemycin oxime Interceptor R,H,W > or = 8 weeks
n-butyl chloride Happy Jack Worm Capsules/ R,H > or = 4 weeks
Sergeants Puppy Worm Capsules
piperazine salts Happy Jack Kennel Wormer/ R > or = 6 weeks
Sergeants Worm Away
praziquantel Droncit, T,F > or = 4 weeks
Tradewinds Tapeworm Tabs
pyrantel pamoate Drs. Foster & Smith R,H > or = 2 weeks
ProWormer-2, Nemex-2
epsiprantel Cestex T,F > 7 weeks
*Efficacy for intestinal worms:
R = Roundworms
H = Hookworms
W = Whipworms
T = Taeniid tapeworms
F = Flea tapeworms
E = Echinococcus granulosus tapeworms > means greater than
Immature whipworms in the cecum or intestine are somewhat resistant to the above medications. For that
reason, treatments often need to be repeated for several months, until all the larvae have matured into
adults.
How do we prevent and control whipworm infections?
Whipworm eggs are somewhat susceptible to drying, but can remain alive in moist soil for years, and are
resistant to freezing. Because of this, animals should be restricted from contaminated areas. There is no
effective method for killing whipworm eggs in the soil. The only alternative is to replace the soil with new
soil, gravel, and pavement. To prevent exposure, any feces in the yard should be picked up on a daily basis.
Floors in kennels and dog runs should be impervious so they are easier to clean. Kennels, runs, and litter
boxes should be cleaned thoroughly, and if possible, be allowed to dry in direct sunlight.
Routine fecal examinations and wormings can help control this widespread parasite.
Because of the zoonotic potential of T. vulpis, care should be taken when cleaning, and people should wear
gloves and wash their hands well after these duties.
References
Georgi, JR; Georgi, ME. Canine Clinical Parasitology. Lea & Febiger. Philadelphia, PA; 1992;174-176.
Griffiths, HJ. A Handbook of Veterinary Parasitology. University of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN;
1978;106-107.
Hendrix, CM. Diagnostic Veterinary Parasitology. Mosby, Inc. St. Louis, MO; 1998;124-125.
Sherding, RG; Johnson, SE. Diseases of the intestine. In Birchard, SJ; Sherding, RG (eds.) Saunders Manual
of Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 1994;696-698.
Sousby, EJL. Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals. Lea & Febiger. Philadelphia, PA;
1982;334-337.
Copyright © 1997-2004, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted from PetEducation.com.
States. Trichuris serrata is rare in cats. Whipworms get their name from the whip-like shape of the adult
worms. The front portion of the worm is very thin (the whip) and the posterior end is thick (whip handle).
Whipworms live in the large intestine and cecum (a small 'dead-end' portion of intestine lying at the junction
of the small intestine and large intestine).
How are whipworms transmitted and how is whipworm infection diagnosed?
A dog or cat becomes infected by ingesting food or water contaminated with whipworm eggs. The eggs are
swallowed, hatch, and in three months, the larvae mature into adults in the cecum and large intestine where
they burrow their mouths into the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Adult worms lay eggs that are passed in
the feces. The eggs must remain in the soil for about a month to mature and be capable of causing infection.
An infection is diagnosed by finding the eggs in the feces. The eggs must be differentiated from those of
the bladder worm (Capillaria plica) and C. aerophilia, a parasite of the respiratory system, but whose eggs
may be found in the feces.
What are the signs of whipworm infection?
The signs of infection vary with the number of worms in the intestine. Small numbers of worms cause no
signs, but larger numbers can result in inflammation of the intestinal wall. Large amounts of mucous are
produced by the inflamed intestine. Sometimes hemorrhage into the intestine occurs, and anemia can result.
Animals may have diarrhea and loss of weight.
In very heavy infections, the worms may penetrate through the intestinal wall and the resulting inflammation
causes the intestine to adhere (stick) to the body wall. Animals with this condition may frequently lick their
right flank area where the adhesion occurs.
Are whipworms a health hazard to people?
There have been reports of people being infected with T. vulpis. Humans are more often infected with T.
trichiura, the human whipworm.
How is a whipworm infection treated?
Common wormers and their effectiveness against whipworms are listed below.
Oral Treatments for Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs
Ingredient(s) Example Range of Efficacy* Minimum Age/Weight
dichlorophen/toluene Triple Wormer R,H,T,F > or = 2.5 lbs
dichlorvos Task R,H,T,F > or = 2.5 lbs
febantel/praziquantel RM Parasiticide-10 R,H,W,T,F > or = to 2 lbs
febantel/praziquantel/ Drontal Plus R,H,W,T,F,E > or = to 3 weeks or 2 lbs
pyrantel pamoate
fenbendazole Panacur R,H,W,T none
ivermectin/ Heartgard Plus R,H > or = 6 weeks
pyrantel pamoate
mebendazole Telmintic R,H,W,T none
milbemycin oxime Interceptor R,H,W > or = 8 weeks
n-butyl chloride Happy Jack Worm Capsules/ R,H > or = 4 weeks
Sergeants Puppy Worm Capsules
piperazine salts Happy Jack Kennel Wormer/ R > or = 6 weeks
Sergeants Worm Away
praziquantel Droncit, T,F > or = 4 weeks
Tradewinds Tapeworm Tabs
pyrantel pamoate Drs. Foster & Smith R,H > or = 2 weeks
ProWormer-2, Nemex-2
epsiprantel Cestex T,F > 7 weeks
*Efficacy for intestinal worms:
R = Roundworms
H = Hookworms
W = Whipworms
T = Taeniid tapeworms
F = Flea tapeworms
E = Echinococcus granulosus tapeworms > means greater than
Immature whipworms in the cecum or intestine are somewhat resistant to the above medications. For that
reason, treatments often need to be repeated for several months, until all the larvae have matured into
adults.
How do we prevent and control whipworm infections?
Whipworm eggs are somewhat susceptible to drying, but can remain alive in moist soil for years, and are
resistant to freezing. Because of this, animals should be restricted from contaminated areas. There is no
effective method for killing whipworm eggs in the soil. The only alternative is to replace the soil with new
soil, gravel, and pavement. To prevent exposure, any feces in the yard should be picked up on a daily basis.
Floors in kennels and dog runs should be impervious so they are easier to clean. Kennels, runs, and litter
boxes should be cleaned thoroughly, and if possible, be allowed to dry in direct sunlight.
Routine fecal examinations and wormings can help control this widespread parasite.
Because of the zoonotic potential of T. vulpis, care should be taken when cleaning, and people should wear
gloves and wash their hands well after these duties.
References
Georgi, JR; Georgi, ME. Canine Clinical Parasitology. Lea & Febiger. Philadelphia, PA; 1992;174-176.
Griffiths, HJ. A Handbook of Veterinary Parasitology. University of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN;
1978;106-107.
Hendrix, CM. Diagnostic Veterinary Parasitology. Mosby, Inc. St. Louis, MO; 1998;124-125.
Sherding, RG; Johnson, SE. Diseases of the intestine. In Birchard, SJ; Sherding, RG (eds.) Saunders Manual
of Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 1994;696-698.
Sousby, EJL. Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals. Lea & Febiger. Philadelphia, PA;
1982;334-337.
Copyright © 1997-2004, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted from PetEducation.com.
| This site was created by and is maintained by Belinda Winters for BFH Bassets. If you have any questions or comments email belindawinters@bfhbassets.com |