Back
Description Cause
Toxocara canis worms taken from one dog
Breed Occurrence Foxes are also infected by this worm (about 35-50% in the UK). Signs Young puppies are most likely to show clinical signs, and these will be worse if the puppy has a large number of worms or migrating larvae. Signs include noisy breathing, cough, nasal discharges, vomiting, diarrhoea, stunted growth rate, distended abdomen (pot-bellied appearance), pale mucus membranes (eg gums). Sometimes infected pups have abdominal discomfort, groan when touched or lifted and are reluctant to move. Death is rare , but has been reported and has been due to obstruction of the intestine or ulceration and perforation of the intestine wall. Life-Cycle
When ingested by non-canine hosts eg rodents or humans the larvae travel to the tissues where they remain unless the new host is eaten by a canine , in which case they are reactivated. In children disease is most often recognised when a larva migrates to an eye and causes local injury. Diagnosis Diagnosis can be confirmed by identifying Toxocara canis eggs in faeces samples. However it should be remembered that eggs are not being shed into the faeces all the time, so false negative results are possible. Treatment Prognosis Long term problems | |||||
Description
Infection with the worm Toxocara canis is called Toxocariasis. Many dogs
(between 10-40% of adults, and up to 70% of puppies, in surveys conducted in
urban areas) have the worm present in their body but they may show no external
signs of disease. However, these dogs periodically pass the egg stage of the
worm in their faeces and so contaminate the environment and act as a source of
infection for spread to other animals.
Cause
Toxocara canis worms taken from one dog
Breed Occurrence
There are no specific breed predispositions. All dogs can be infected by Toxocara
canis and puppies are often infected before they are born.
Foxes are also infected by this worm (about 35-50% in the UK).
Signs
Young puppies are most likely to show clinical signs, and these will be worse if the puppy has a large number of worms or migrating larvae.
Signs include noisy breathing, cough, nasal discharges, vomiting, diarrhoea, stunted growth rate, distended abdomen (pot-bellied appearance), pale mucus membranes (eg gums). Sometimes infected pups have abdominal discomfort, groan when touched or lifted and are reluctant to move.
Death is rare , but has been reported and has been due to obstruction of the intestine or ulceration and perforation of the intestine wall.
Life-Cycle
Large numbers of worm eggs are found in the environment in areas used by dogs for toilet purposes - eg grass verges, public parks, kennel areas..
When ingested by non-canine hosts eg rodents or humans the larvae travel to the tissues where they remain unless the new host is eaten by a canine , in which case they are reactivated. In children disease is most often recognised when a larva migrates to an eye and causes local injury.
Diagnosis
All puppies should be assumed to be infected.
Diagnosis can be confirmed by identifying Toxocara canis eggs in faeces samples. However it should be remembered that eggs are not being shed into the faeces all the time, so false negative results are possible.
Treatment
Prognosis
The prognosis is good.
Long term problems
Updated October 2013
Copyright (c) 1999 2013 Provet. All rights reserved. Email: info@provet.co.uk