What are whipworms?
Whipworms are named for their whiplike appearance as they have a thin anterior end, and thick posterior end. The adults live primarily in the cecum (where the small and large intestine meet), but can also be in the large intestine if the infection is bad enough.
As with roundworms, adult whipworms produce environmentally resistant eggs, and it takes about a month for them to develop into larvae.
After a dog ingests infected larvae, they will develop into reproductive adults after approximately three months. Unlike roundworms, whipworms do not migrate outside of the intestinal tract so there is no somatic migration into tissues, no migration of larvae to pups in utero, and no transmammary transmission.
What causes whipworms?
A dog can get whipworms by ingesting an infested substance such as feces, animal flesh, water, soil, or food. Eggs can survive for up to five years in moist warm environments.
Dogs can be diagnosed with whipworms when your vet takes a fecal sample as part of a routine exam, but eggs are not easy to find on all samples. If you see blood in your dog's stool, repeat fecal exams are recommended.
What is the life cycle of whipworms in dogs?
There are three stages to the lifecycle of a whipworm in dogs: egg, larvae, and adult. The eggs are laid in the dog's intestine where they are incorporated into the dog's stool. This means that an infected dog spreads whipworm eggs each time they defecate. The eggs are able to remain alive in the environment for up to five years.
Soon after the eggs are ingested, they hatch and mature in the pet's intestine where they lay more eggs, and begin the cycle once again. If a whipworm infected dog defecates in a public place like a park, and the poop is not picked up, this could also cause an outbreak among local wildlife.
Symptoms
The easiest way for the vet to determine if your dog has worms is with a stool sample, but there are also signs you can look out for at home including:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Poor coat appearance
- Pot-bellied appearance
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
Treatment
Several medications are effective against whipworms, all of which require require two treatments, spaced at a three to the four-week interval, to clear the infection.
The most frustrating thing about whipworm infections is the high rate of re-infection because whipworm eggs are extremely hardy in the environment. So when a dog is diagnosed with an infection, our Rancho Palos Verdes vets suggest you treat it again every three to four months.
Whipworms are far less common today than in previous years because of the use of heartworm products for dogs, which also helps prevent worms.
Prevention at Home
If whipworms are common in your area, or if your dog was recently diagnosed with whipworms, you might want to consider switching to a heartworm preventative that also prevents whipworms. Look for preventatives with these active ingredients:
- Milbemycin
- Milbemycin/lufenuron
- Milbemycin/spinosad
- Milbemycin/praziquantel
- Moxidectin/imidacloprid
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.