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Category: Canine
Toxocara canis, Toxocara leonina
Roundworms, Ascariasis
AffectedAnimals:
Dogs and cats can develop adult worm infections within the digestive tract. The larval stage of the roundworm can cause serious damage in the human, but they cannot develop into the adult form in species other than the dog or cat. Dogs are affected by both the Toxocara canis and the Toxocara leonina species, but cats only become infected from the Toxocara leonina.
Overview:
Almost all puppies are born already infected with roundworms, which are the most common intestinal parasite of the dog. Toxocara canis, a species of roundworms, is capable of migrating across the infected mother dog's placenta and into the unborn puppies. Neonates also can ingest the infective form of the roundworm when nursing infected milk from their mother.
Other possible modes of roundworm infection include either ingestion of infective eggs from the environment or from prey that harbor the parasite. Large numbers of eggs can be spread into the environment by an infected dog. These eggs are a human health hazard if accidentally ingested and can cause vision impairment or other serious diseases.
Roundworm adults are fairly long, white, and tubular in shape and have been said to resemble half-lengths of spaghetti noodles. These worms swim inside the small intestine and feed on the animal's digested food. Because roundworms can grow to be eight to 12 centimeters long, an infection of multiple adults is capable of causing inflammation and distention of the bowel loops. This can lead to colic, interference with normal contractions of the intestines, and the inability to absorb the nutrients that the dog's body needs. A severe roundworm infestation actually can result in a blockage of the intestines and possible death.
Roundworms can lead to a host of medical problems in dogs, including stunted growth among puppies that are infected early in their development. Puppies are more likely than adult dogs to develop serious symptoms. Fortunately, there are safe and effective treatments and measures of prevention that will keep canines healthy and limit the spread of infection to others.
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