Parasites
Trichuriasia (also known as Whipworm Infection) By: Ayana B
- Whip-worms live in the large intestine and whip-worm eggs are passed in the feces of infected persons and animals
- To reproduce the female adult whip-worms produce eggs which are passed through their thicker end into the intestines and subsequently are passed out in the stools of the dog or cat or person
- The adult whip-worm is 2 to 3 inches (50 to 76 mm) long
- Babies are 30 to 50 mm long
- The host consist of dogs, and occasionally humans and cats
- They are a type of roundworm-a nematode worm (a parasitic one found in the intestines)
- To feed the attach themselves to the walls of the intestines, feeding on blood
- One of the most common health issues found among dogs
- Whip-worms are so named because of the fact that the adult worms have whip-like shape
- Specifically adapted to the human large intestinal tract
- Rarely whip-worm can be a problem in sheep during drought, sheep with heavy infections of whip-worm have diarrhoea with mucous and may die
BayerPet: Canine Whipworm Life Cycle