Whipworm Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment


The adult whipworm is embedded in the wall of the large intestine and cecum. Eggs are passed in the feces and the infective larva develop inside an egg in the environment. This egg will only hatch if swallowed by a new host animal. If a dog is presented with chronic weight loss and passes stool that seems to have a covering of mucous (especially the last portion of stool the dog passes), and lives in a kennel situation or an area where whipworms are prevalent, the veterinarian may prescribe a whipworm medication based upon circumstantial evidence. Repeat wormings may be necessary especially if there is a probability that the dog will become reinfested. Although they seldom cause a dog’s death, whipworms are a real nuisance for the dog and can be a problem for the veterinarian to diagnose.

Diagnosis

Adult whipworms, although seldom seen in the stool, look like tiny pieces of thread with one end enlarged. In diagnosing whipworms, the animal will be given a physical examination and the stools will be examined. A colonoscopy may also be carried out.

Therapy

The host animal will be given deworming medication and supportive therapy.