Whipworm in dogs refers to an infection caused by intestinal parasites. Whipworms are around a quarter of an inch in length and they inhabit the dog’s colon and cecum.
When a dog is infected, they can suffer weight loss and diarrhea, along with associated complications. Dogs can also pass these parasites on to their environment via their feces. The worms can pass from dog to dog, but not from dog to human.
If you see signs that your dog might have whipworm, you must consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and course of treatment. Here’s what you should know about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for whipworm in dogs.
Symptoms Of Whipworm In Dogs
Whipworm in dogs is a condition that doesn’t always show early symptoms.
Some of the common symptoms that do show up include:
Causes Of Whipworm In Dogs
The cause of whipworm in dogs is ingestion of whipworm eggs. Once a dog has the eggs, the parasites are capable of laying more eggs inside the large intestine.
When the infected dog poops, the eggs can make their way into the environment where another dog may ingest them.
Treatments For Whipworm In Dogs
If your veterinarian suspects your dog has whipworm, they’ll want to carry out an examination of your dog’s recent stools. They will do this using a microscope; although, due to the time it can take for the parasite to lay eggs, the vet may need more than one stool examination to confirm a diagnosis.
Your vet will also ask about what sort of stools your dog has been passing recently, paying attention to any bouts of diarrhea or bloody stools.
If your vet determines that your dog is suffering from whipworm, they’ll most likely prescribe medication to kill the parasites. Some of the most popular medications for this include oxantel, febantel and moxidectin.
Along with anti-worm medication, your vet will likely advise you to thoroughly clean your dog’s kennel and lounging areas.
Has your dog ever had a case of whipworm? How did you get rid of the infection? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
