Toxocara canis ova and

Cystoisospora oocysts

The large roundworms (ascaridoid nematodes) of dogs and cats are common, especially in puppies and
kittens. Of the three speciesToxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, and Toxocara cati, the most important is T
canis, not only because its larvae may migrate in people (as do larvae of T cati), but also because infections
are generally common and may impact puppy health. Also, fatal infections may occasionally be seen in young
pups. T leonina is seen in adolescent/adult dogs and cats. These species also infect wild carnivores,
especially those in zoos or other captive settings.

In puppies, the usual mode of infection with T canis is transplacental transfer. If pups <3 mo old ingest
embryonated infective eggs, the hatched larvae penetrate the intestinal mucosa, reach the lungs via the liver
and bloodstream, are coughed up, swallowed, and mature to egg-producing adults in the small intestine.
However, when infective eggs of T canis are swallowed by older dogs, the larvae hatch, penetrate the
intestinal mucosa, and migrate to the liver, lungs, muscles, connective tissue, kidneys, and many other
tissues, where development is arrested. In pregnant bitches, these dormant larvae mobilize and migrate into
the developing fetus; they can be found in the intestine of puppies as early as 1 wk after birth. Some larvae
migrate to the mammary gland, so pups may also be infected via the milk. During this perinatal period, the
immunity of the bitch to ascarid infection is partially suppressed, and substantial numbers of eggs may be
passed in the feces of the bitch. Development of these patent infections appears to be associated with
maturation of arrested larvae in the bitch, which migrate to the intestine via the lungs. Patency may also occur
as a result of ingestion and maturation of larvae that are passed in the feces of puppies.

After ingestion of infective eggs, larvae of ascaridoid nematodes may migrate into the tissues of many
animals and thus provide an alternative source of infection, particularly for cats and wild carnivores. Such
migration also occurs if larvated eggs of Toxocara spp are swallowed by people. Most human infections are
asymptomatic, but fever, persistent eosinophilia, and hepatomegaly (sometimes with pulmonary involvement)
may occur, resulting in a condition known as visceral larva migrans. Rarely, a larva may settle in the retina
and impair vision, resulting in a condition known as ocular larva migrans.

The life cycle of T cati is similar to that of T canis, except that no prenatal infection occurs. Furthermore,
transmammary transmission appears to occur only when queens acquire infection during late gestation.
Thus, overall, this route of infection appears to play a minor role in transmission. With T leonina, migration is
restricted to the intestinal wall so that neither prenatal nor transmammary transmission occurs.

Clinical Findings and Lesions