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What is Whipworm in Dogs?: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Whipworms are a common intestinal parasite that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable symptoms in dogs. In today's post, our Hattiesburg vets discuss the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of whipworm in dogs. 

Whipworm in Dogs 

Measuring about 1/4 inch to three inches long, whipworms attach themselves to the walls of a dog's large intestine and colon, feeding on a pup's blood. A heavy infestation can severely harm your pooch's health and cause significant gastrointestinal inflammation, which leads to diarrhea and dehydration. 

What Whipworms Look Like

This parasitic worm is aptly named and can be easily identified by its shape, as it has a thicker front end and a long, thin back end that look similar to a whip. 

Whipworm Symptoms in Dogs 

You may be surprised to learn that not all dogs infected with whipworms will show signs, especially those with early-stage or mild infections. Some dogs may not even display symptoms in the later stages of infection (known as being asymptomatic). That said, some common symptoms to look out for include:

  • Weight loss 
  • Dehydration 
  • Blood in stool 
  • Chronic diarrhea 
  • Anemia 

What causes whipworm infections in dogs?

A dog who licks or ingests feces from other dogs, dirt, or substances contaminated with whipworm eggs will likely catch this parasitic infection. 

The Whipworm Life Cycle in Dogs 

There are three stages to the whipworm's life cycle: egg, larvae, and adult. Eggs are laid in a dog's intestine and end up in your pup's poop. This means that infected dogs can spread whipworm to others every time they have a bowel movement. These eggs are incredibly resilient and can remain alive for up to five years in the environment. 

Once they are on the ground, the eggs typically mature into the infective stage within about 10-60 days, at which point they infect the next host animal. Soon after a dog ingests whipworms, the eggs hatch and mature in the pup's intestine, where they lay more eggs and restart the cycle. 

Diagnosing Whipworm Infections 

Fecal exams at your vet's office are the best way to monitor your dog for intestinal parasites including whipworms. Whipworms take up to 12 weeks to mature and begin laying eggs and tend to lay limited numbers of eggs on an inconsistent basis. For these reasons, diagnosis can be tricky and may require repeated fecal exams to reach an accurate diagnosis. 

Treating Whipworm in Dogs

Because whipworm eggs are so resilient, reinfection often occurs making whipworms a challenging parasite to get rid of.

Treatments for whipworms in dogs will consist of prescriptions of medications to kill the parasites as they live and feed in your dog's intestine. If necessary, further medications may be needed to treat uncomfortable symptoms your dog may be experiencing.

Most medications prescribed to help treat whipworms will require treatments about a month apart. To help prevent reinfection, you should make sure you thoroughly clean your dog's kennel area, bedding, and yard. Your vet may also advise that you retreat your dog every 4 months to help fight reinfections in the near future.

Preventing Whipworm in Dogs

It's far easier and more effective to prevent whipworm infections than to treat them in most cases. Many heartworm medications for dogs will also protect against whipworms. By providing your pet with monthly heartworm medication, you could also be helping to protect your pet against a host of intestinal parasites, including whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Ask your vet for information on how best to protect your dog.

Here at The Pet Hospital (Parkway), we are proud to be able to offer a selection of prevention products to help protect your dog against intestinal parasites.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding people or pets. If you are concerned about your pet's health, contact your veterinarian right away for diagnosis and treatment.

Have you noticed symptoms of whipworm infection in your dog? Contact our Hattiesburg vets today to book an appointment for an exam. We can diagnose, treat, and help you prevent parasitic infections.

New Patients Welcome

The Pet Hospital (Parkway) is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of companion animals in Hattiesburg and Petal. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.

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