Whipworms live in a dog's large intestine. They consume your pooch's blood and cause irritation and other uncomfortable symptoms. In this post, our Rabun County vets explain the causes and symptoms of whipworms in dogs. They also explain how to treat and prevent this parasitic infection.
Whipworm in Dogs
Whipworms are intestinal parasites that can have a severe, negative impact on your dog's general health and well-being. These parasites reside in your dog's large intestine and cecum (a pouch within the peritoneum that's thought 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 to the intestinal lining.
What Whipworms Look Like
These intestinal parasites measure about 1/4 of an inch long and can easily be identified by their shape. The whipworm has a thicker front end and a long, thin back end that looks like a whip.
What causes whipworm infections in dogs?
A dog who licks or eats dirt, feces from other dogs, or substances contaminated with whipworm eggs can contract this parasitic infection.
The Lifecycle of the Whipworm in Dogs
There are three stages to the whipworm's lifecycle: egg, larvae, and adult. After eggs are laid in a dog's intestine, the dog excretes them in their stool. This means that infected dogs can spread whipworms to others each time they have a bowel movement. A whipworm's eggs are extremely resilient and may stay 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 eats whipworm eggs, these eggs hatch and mature in the pet's intestine, where they lay more eggs and restart the cycle.
Signs & Symptoms of Whipworm Infections in Dogs
If your dog has recently contracted whipworms, signs and symptoms will likely go unnoticed. A dog can even be asymptomatic (not display any symptoms) in the later stages of a whipworm infection. However, here are some common signs of whipworm infection to watch for:
- Dehydration
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in stool
- Anemia
- Chronic diarrhea
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.
Treatment options 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. You can protect your dog against multiple dangerous parasites by administering monthly heartworm medication. 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.