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What Is Whipworm in Dogs? Causes, Treatment, & Prevention

Whipworms are intestinal parasites that can infect and feed on the blood of dogs, causing irritation and other uncomfortable symptoms. Today, our Westport vets discuss the causes, signs, treatment, and prevention of whipworm in dogs.

Whipworm in Dogs

Trichuris vulpis (more commonly known as whipworms) are one of the four most common intestinal parasites that can be found in dogs, and they can seriously impact their overall health. These parasites can measure around a-quarter-of-an-inch long, and make their home in the large intestine and cecum (where the large and small intestines meet). While there, they attach to the mucosal lining of your pet, and cause serious irritation. This intestinal parasite can be easily identified by its shape, as they have a thicker front end and a long thin back end that look much like a whip. 

What are the symptoms of whipworm in dogs?

If your dog has recently become infected with whipworms, there will likely be very few signs noticeable signs. In the later stages of their infection, some dogs may even remain asymptomatic. That being said, some common whipworm symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

  • Anemia
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Blood in stool
  • Weight loss

What causes whipworm in dogs?

Dogs become infected with whipworms by swallowing infected whipworm eggs in soil or other substances that may contain dog feces.

What is the lifecycle of whipworms in dogs

There are three stages to the lifecycle of a whipworm in dogs: egg, larvae, and adult. Eggs are laid in a dog's intestine, where they are then incorporated into their stool. This means that infected dogs have a chance of spreading whipworm to others every time they have a bowel movement. These eggs are very resilient and may remain alive for up to five years in the environment.

Once out in the world, the eggs typically mature into the infective stage in anywhere from ten to 60 days, at which point they are ready to infect the next host animal.  Soon after they are ingested, they hatch and mature in the pet's intestine where they lay more eggs and begin the cycle once again.

How do you treat whipworms in dogs?

Fecal exams at your vet's office are the best way to monitor your dog for intestinal parasites including whipworms. Whipworms take up to 12 weeks to mature and begin laying eggs and tend to lay limited numbers of eggs on an inconsistent basis. For these reasons, diagnosis can be tricky and may require repeated fecal exams to reach an accurate diagnosis. 

How will the vet help?

Because whipworm eggs are so resilient, reinfection often occurs, making whipworms a challenging parasite to get rid of.

Treatments for whipworms in dogs will consist of prescriptions of medications to kill the parasites as they live and feed 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 retreat your dog every four months to help fight reinfections in the near future.

How do I prevent my dog from getting whipworm?

Preventing whipworm is far easier and more effective than treatment in most cases. Many heartworm medications for dogs will also protect against whipworms. By providing your pet with monthly heartworm medication you could also be helping to protect your pet against a host of intestinal parasites including whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Ask your vet for information on how best to protect your dog.

Our vets in Westport are proud to be able to offer a selection of prevention products to help protect your dog against intestinal parasites.

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.

Is your dog displaying symptoms of whipworms? Contact our Westport vets to have your canine companion examined.

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