Whip Worms: No Signs, No Symptoms.

"Being one of the four most common intestinal parasites in dogs" (Pets and Parasites), the whip worm resides in the cecum (where the small and large intestines meet) and can infect your pet for months before any clinical signs may be seen. As with the round worm and hook worm, the whip worm is found in your pets' stool.

Life Cycle of the Whip Worm

Whip Worm Life Cycle
(Novartis)

There are many similarities between the whip worm versus the round and hook worm. As with the round and hook worm, the whip worm spreads in animal feces and soil. The main way your pet can become infected with this parasite is ingesting or close contact with infected feces and substances containing it. Whip worms can live in the environment up to 5 years; by making sure you clean up your pets' feces, and their surroundings (dog park, local pet stores, etc) are clean, you can prevent your pet from becoming infected.

Whip Worm Egg seen in fecal flotation.
(Pet-Informed-Veterinary) 

Diagnosing Whip Worms in Your Pet
We (vet/vet tech) find the whip worm ova in the stool when we do a fecal flotation. This particular parasite is difficult to find as the female does not reproduce and lay eggs that often, which is why regular fecal checks are important to ensure your pet is at his or her utmost health quality.

Signs Your Pet Has Whip Worms
As stated earlier, a dog can be infected with whip worms for several months before you may see any signs. The most common signs seen in a pet with whip worms are bloody diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration and anemia. If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your local veterinarian for a check up.

Adult Whip Worm
(Pixgood.com)

Whip Worms Inside the Intestines
The whip worm, as stated, lives in the cecum. There this parasite feeds on blood and tissue, matures into an adult and moves into the small intestines. The parasite received it's name from the "whip-like" movement that occurs when they maneuver through the intestinal tract.

Treating Whip Worms
As with round and hook worms, whip worms can be treated with an oral de-wormer that your veterinarian will feel is appropriate for your pet. This medication will treat the eggs and adult worms that are currently in your pets' intestines.

Whip Worms and Humans
Human infestation with the dog whip worm are very rare. However it is possible for humans to become infested with the human whip worm, T. trichiura. For more information on this particular parasite, you can visit CDC.gov.

(All About Goldens)

I hope you have enjoyed reading about the whip worm. Don't forget to bring your pet in for regular health and fecal checks to make for a happy (and healthy) pet!

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Here's to a tail waggin' day!

Noelle

*Information for this blog was obtained from: Pets and Parasites, WebMD, and Pet Education
*Pictures obtained from the websites provided.