Whipworms

The Whipworm parasite, called Trichuris vulpis, lives in the caecum (a large pouch at the beginning of the large intestine) of dogs. This parasite, unlike most other worm parasites, usually effects only dogs over 12 weeks of age.

The worm that is called Whipworm is similar in appearance to a whip. The adult Whipworm is 4-7cm in length.

Although this parasite does not seem to severely effect a dog some dogs do develop bouts of smelly diarrhea which itself can become a problem and create further health complications.

The egg of the Whipworm has a very thick shell, which protects the parasite for long periods of time (years) and through many adverse conditions. Once the dog ingests the egg, the larvae, then emerges and attaches itself in the intestine. While in the large intestine they lay eggs where they are then released in the dogs waste.

A dog will pick up the eggs by licking his paws or from the ground. The eggs will hatch out in the small intestine, pass down to the large intestine and start establishing themselves as adults. This process takes approximately twelve weeks, and also helps explain why young dogs do not tend to become fully infected.

With the Whipworm there is no tissue migration as with other worm parasites and puppies cannot be infected by the mother other than through the droppings.

Not all types of de-worming medications are effective against Whipworm, so be sure when selecting a worming product that treatment for the Whipworm is specifically mentioned.

In order to prevent Whipworm infection, the dog's dirt run should be limited and where dog droppings are present these should be removed and properly disposed of.

did you know
that 1 in 7 dogs get whipworms? a dog can suffer months, even years with this parasite, due to the eggs being too tiny to see, and due to the fact the adult worm does not always shed a large # of eggs on a daily basis, making detection of it, by means of a fecal float, and exam hard to find.
did you know they can infect your soil for up to 7 years? and that the only way to rid them out of your soil is to remove the first 6 " and set it on fire and literally torch those little suckers?
did you know that dogs, even tho they are sucessfully treated can become reinfected, if said dog is to stay/play in the same area as where he/she originally contracted them?
in the west their prevalance is 4.4%
central is 16.4%
southeast is 19.9% and
northeast is 14.9%
so, if you notice your dog has diarrhea, is severly weak, is having weight loss and is dehydrated, consider the fact that whipworms may be present. this parasite can sometimes make their way completely thru the intestine wall, resulting in very serious inflammation, and if not treated in time, can be fatal.
Interceptor is the only 4-in-1 heartworm preventative the controls whipworms in dogs.
this product kills whip, heart, hook and round worms

anyhow, just had a seminar on all this today (parasites) so figured i'd share.
also, doing a fecal may not render results the first time, as again, so few eggs are shed on a daily basis, making a positive result difficult sometimes. if you suspect whips, have a fecal run for 3 consecutive days to help increase the chances for the parasite to be seen.

Wow, I knew what they were but I didn't know they could last that long,
Thansk for the info,
Can I share this to my friends (cross-post)?

^ sure~absolutely!

great information guys on this parasite ! Thanks for posting!

THANKS