Whipworms are intestinal parasites or worms which live in the large intestine of the dog. While they are common in dogs,
Dogs are exposed to whipworms through contaminated soil. When a dog is infected with whipworms, these adult whipworms lay eggs which are passed out of the intestinal tract through the feces. It is these eggs which contaminate the soil.
The most common way for a dog to become infected with whipworms is by grooming himself and ingesting contaminated dirt from his feet or haircoat.
Once contaminated, it is very difficult to clear the whipworm eggs out of the soil. The worms are very hardy and difficult to impossible to kill.
Symptoms Of Whipworms
Dogs infected with whipworms generally do not display many symptoms. The most common visible signs that your dog may have a whipworm infection include:
- Bloody Stool
- Weight Loss
- Dehydration
- Anemia
While rare, the severe dehydration and anemia caused by acute whipworm infestations may result in the death of the infected animal. Young dogs and puppies are the most susceptible to dangerous infections.
Diagnosing Whipworms
Diagnosis of whipworm infestation is performed by using a fecal coliform test to look for whipworm eggs. To perform this test a small amount of dog waste is suspended in a solution. The solution has a density such that the dog poop sinks, while the whipworm eggs float to the surface. This test is accurate when whipworm eggs are present in the waste. However, because, not all tested waste will contain eggs, it is not 100% accurate.
Treatment for Whipworms
Like many parasites, whipworm eggs are extremely tough and difficult to kill. In fact, whipworm eggs can live up to five years in infected soil! This means that even if your dog is free of the parasite, he will likely re-infect himself if his yard or the area he regularly walks contains whipworm eggs.
The long lifespan of the eggs and subsequent and predictable re-infection means that one-time whipworm treatments will not cure your dog permanently. Initial treatment will involve giving your dog doses of a de-worming agent such as Milbemycin Oxime. Milbemycin Oxime works by interfering with the nerve impulses of whipworms. At least two treatments are given approximately 3 weeks apart. This is because Milbemycin Oxime kills the adult worms but does not kill the larvae. During the first and second treatments larvae will mature into the more vulnerable adults. A final treatment kills these adults. After this treatment there are no worms left.
Prevention
The most reliable method of preventing serious whipworm infections is to give your dog a monthly dose of a drug that contains the oral medication Milbemycin Oxime. This medication DOES NOT kill the whipworm eggs; instead it kills the adult worms. If the treatment is given monthly, the worms will not establish themselves in the intestine and your dog will not experience negative effects of the infection.
Long-term control of whipworms in the environment requires that all dog waste be picked up and disposed of promptly. Dogs should also receive a regular whipworm preventative such as Interceptor that contains Milbemycin Oxime.
