Assigment of Medicine

Diseases Of Nematodes and Cestodes in Pets

Submitted to Dr.Tanveer Ahmad

Submitted by Shaheer Ahmad
Roll # 21
DVM 7th semester (Morning)

Faculty Of Veterinary Sciences

Bahauddin Zakaria University.
Multan

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 Disease of the Nematodes in the Dogs:-
The nematodes (roundworms) constitute the phylum Nematoda.]They are a diverse animal
phylum inhabiting a very broad range of environment. Nematodes have tubular digestive
systems with openings at both ends.

 Dirofilariasis in Dogs (Heartworms in Dogs):-

 Heartworm (HW) disease is caused by the filarial organism, Dirofilariaimmitis.
 At least 70 species of mosquitoes can serve as intermediate hosts; Aedes, Anopheles,
and Culex are the most common genera acting as vectors.
 Any dog or cat, indoor or outdoor, is capable of being infected, most infections are
diagnosed in medium- to large-sized, 3- to 8-yr-old dogs living outside.
 Symptoms & types :-
Heartworm disease is defined in three classes, varying in severity.
o Dogs with Class I heartworm disease are often asymptomatic, meaning they exhibit no
visible symptoms, or may only exhibit minimal signs such as an occasional cough.
o Class II patients usually exhibit coughing and unusual intolerance to exercise.
o Class III, The most severe cases may show symptoms of anemia, exercise intolerance,
fainting spells, and -- in severely affected dogs, right-sided chronic heart
failure,high blood pressure (hypertension), labored breathing, and extremely rapid heart
beat (tachycardia).
 Etiology :-
Heartworms are spread through mosquitos that carry the infective heartworm larvae. These
larvae migrate from the bite wound through the dog’s body until they reach the heart and blood
vessels of the lungs, a process that takes approximately six months. The larvae mature in the
dog’s body -- an adult heartworm can grow to be about 12 inches long. These adults reproduce
and release immature heartworms, known as microfilariae, directly into the dog’s blood. When
a mosquito bites an already infected dog, it may take in these microfilariae with the dog’s
blood, and then pass on the infective heartworm larvae (the microfilariae develop once inside
the mosquito) to another dog, thereby continuing the parasite’s life cycle and spreading the
disease to the next host regions, such as tropical areas, outdoor habitation, and lack of the
proper prophylaxis to prevent heartworm infestation.
 DIAGNOSIS:
 If heartworm disease is suspected, an electrocardiograph (which monitors changes in the
heart) may reveal heart rhythm disturbances and/or enlargement of the right ventricle of
the heart (hypertrophy).Additional tests may include a urine analysis, serologic tests

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 Treatment :-
 Usually, the adult worms are killed with an arsenic-based compound. The currently
approved drug in the US, melarsomine, is marketed under the brand name “Immiticide”.
 Melarsomine , doxycycline ,ivermectin
 In initial treatment, most patients are hospitalized as they receive administration of an
adulticide designed to kill the adult heartworms. The microfilariae in the body can be
eliminated with a monthly prophylaxis, which can be administered at home
 Dogs experiencing thrombo embolic complications (in which a blood clot that has formed
breaks loose and travels through the blood stream to clot another vessel), hospitalization
may be necessary for a longer period of time. 
 Surgical procedure may be necessary to remove adult worms from the right heart
and pulmonary artery by way of the jugular vein. This procedure is recommended if the
infestation consists of a high number of adult worms.

 Ancylostoma caninum :-
 Ancylostoma caninum is the principal cause of canine hookworm
 Uncinaria stenocephala is the principal canine hookworm in cooler regions; it appears
to be the predominant canine hookworm.
 A caninum males are ~12 mm long, females, ~15 mm
 Skin penetration in young pups is followed by migration of the larvae through the blood
to the lungs, where they are coughed up and swallowed to mature in the small intestine.

 Clinical Findings
 Anemia in young puppies is the characteristic, and often fatal, clinical manifestation of A
caninum infection
 Surviving puppies develop some immunity and show less severe clinical signs
 Diarrhea with dark, tarry feces accompanies severe infections. Anemia, anorexia,
emaciation, and weakness develop in chronic disease.

 Lesions:
 Anemia results directly from the bloodsucking and the bleeding ulcerations that result
when A caninum shift feeding sites.
 The amount of blood loss due to a single worm in 24 hr has been estimated to be up to
0.1 mL. There is no interference with erythropoiesis in uncomplicated hookworm disease.

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  The liver and other organs may appear ischemic, and some fatty infiltration of the liver
may occur.
 Hemorrhagic enteritis with a swollen intestinal mucosa that shows red, small ulcers and
attached worms is usually seen in acute, fatal cases.  However, hypoproteinemia is
characteristic, and serum seepage around the site of attachment in the intestine may
reduce blood protein by >10%.
 In dogs, dermatitis due to larval invasion of the skin may be seen with any of the
hookworms.

 Diagnosis

 The characteristic thin-shelled, oval eggs are easily seen on flotation of fresh feces from
infected dogs and cats (Ancylostoma spp 52–79 × 28–58 μm; Uncinaria sp 71–92 × 35–
58 μm). Acute anemia and death from infections acquired via milk may be seen in young
pups before eggs are passed in their feces, ie, as early as 1–2 wk of age.

 Treatment and Control:-

 Bitches should be free of hookworms before breeding and kept out of contaminated areas
during pregnancy.
 Sanitary quarters should be provided for whelping and nursing. Concrete runways that
can be washed at least twice a week in warm weather are best. Sunlit clay or sandy
runways can be decontaminated with sodium borate (1 kg/2 m2).]
 In dogs, fenbendazole, moxidectin, and pyrantel are approved for treatment of 
A caninum and U stenocephala infections.
 When anemia is severe, chemotherapy may have to be supported by blood transfusion or
supplemental iron, followed by a high-protein diet until the Hgb level is normal.
 fenbendazole (25 mg/kg, PO) given daily to pregnant bitches from day 40 of pregnancy to
day 2 after whelping greatly reduces transmammary transmission to the pups

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  Ascaridoid nematodes of dogs and cats:-
 The large roundworms (ascaridoid nematodes) of dogs and cats are common, especially
in puppies and kittens. Of the three species Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina,
and Toxocara cati, fatal infections may occasionally be seen in young pups.
  T leonina is seen in adolescent/adult dogs and cats..
 In puppies, the usual mode of infection with T canis is transplacental transfer. If pups of
less than 3 months age 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.
 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.
 Clinical Findings and Lesions:

 The first indication of infection in young animals is lack of growth and loss of condition.
Infected animals have a dull coat and often are “potbellied.”
 Worms may be vomited and are often voided in the feces. In the early stages, migrating
larvae may cause an eosinophilic pneumonia, which can be associated with coughing.
 Diarrhea with mucus may be evident.
 In puppies with severe infections, verminous pneumonia, ascites, fatty liver, and mucoid
enteritis are common. Cortical kidney granulomas containing larvae may be seen.

 Transmission to Humans:-
 Consumption of eggs from feces-contaminated items is the most common method of
infection for humans especially children and young adults under the age of 20 years.
 Being in contact with soil that contains infectious eggs can also cause human infection,
especially handling soil with an open wound or accidentally swallowing contaminated
soil.
 Eating under cooked or raw meat of an intermediate host of the parasite such as lamb or
rabbit.
 Humans can be infected by this roundworm, a condition called toxocariasis, just by
stroking an infected dog's fur and accidentally ingesting infective eggs that may be
present on the dog's fur.
 When humans ingest infective eggs, diseases like hepatomegaly, myocarditis, respiratory
failure and vision problems can result depending on where the larva are deposited in the
body.
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  In humans, this parasite usually grows in the back of the eye, which can result in
blindness, or in the liver or lungs.  Dog coats are the passive
transport host vehicle.However, although the risk of being infected by petting a dog is
extremely limited, a single infected puppy can produce more than 100,000 roundworm
eggs per gram of feces.

 Treatment :-
 Anthelminithic drugs are used to treat infections in dogs and puppies for adult worms. The
best treatment for puppies is pyrantel pamoate to prevent the larvae from reproducing and
causing disease
 In dogs, compounds approved for treatment of roundworm infections include
fenbendazole, milbemycin, moxidectin, piperazine, and pyrantel.
 Preventive programs for heartworm infection using milbemycin, milbemycin/lufenuron,
milbemycin/praziquantel, milbemycin/spinosad, moxidectin/imidacloprid,
ivermectin/pyrantel, or ivermectin/pyrantel/praziquantel also control intestinal ascarid
infections.

Disease of cestodes
 Cestodes in Dogs
 Tapeworms typically settle in the small intestine of dogs, puppies, and other pets. The
tapeworm species can include Taenia, Dipylidium Caninum, Echinococcus,
and Mesocestoides.
 Treatment to destroy tapeworms is critical to avoid transmission to humans (typically
children) and to avert damage to the dog's body. With prompt treatment, prognosis is
positive.

 SYMPTOMS OF TAPEWORM INFESTATION:

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  As the tapeworm grows, pieces of it break off into segments and pass into the dog's
intestines. You may see dried, white to cream colored segments, or pieces, of tapeworm
in the dog's feces or in the fur under the tail.
 Some tapeworm species break off into segments that are too small to see, while the
segments of other tapeworm species will resemble sesame or cucumber seeds in size and
appearance.
 Dogs may bite or lick the anus, or drag their hind quarters across the floor in response to
the itching.

 CAUSES:
 Tapeworms are acquired by ingesting the immediate host containing larvae.
 Tapeworm eggs are frequently ingested through adult fleas.
 Other sources that are potential transmitters, and that a dog is likely to ingest, include
rabbits, birds, and rodents. Scavenging may also lead to an infestation of tapeworms.

 DIAGNOSIS:
 A fecal, or stool, sample can be used to review for the presence of tapeworms. False
negatives do occur, but most test results are conclusive.
 TREATMENT:
 Treatment is given on an outpatient basis for adult tapeworms, either by injection or by
oral medication. Medications are effective at removing the tapeworms from the dog's
body.

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  Tapeworms (Cestodes) in Cats:-
 Also known as 'cestodes', tapeworms are flat, segmented worms which live in the small
intestine of cats (and other mammals).
 Tapeworms have no mouth or digestive tract themselves, and must obtain their food
source pre-digested.
 They have a tough outer skin that is capable of withstanding the strong digestive juices.
This skin is porous and your cat's pre-digested food is absorbed through the tapeworm's
skin.
  Tapeworms are whitish/cream in colour with a ribbon-like appearance, and can grow
up to 24 inches (60 cm) in length. They are the second most common type of worm to
infect cats (roundworms are the most common).
 Tapeworms are hermaphroditic, which means they contain both ovaries and testes and
are capable of reproducing on their own
 Symptoms;
 Most tapeworm infections in cats are asymptomatic and the  cat owners only become
aware of infection when they notice rice like segments (proglottids) around the cat's
anus, the fur around the tail, in his feces and in the environment (such as bedding) or
feces with characteristic sesame seeds (tapeworm eggs) throughout.
 It is also possible in some cases for the tapeworm to release its attachment to the small
intestinal wall and move to the stomach, the cat may then vomit up the tapeworm.

 Heavy infestations may produce symptoms including:

 Biting or licking their anal area or scooting their hindquarters along the floor
 The fur may also take on a poor appearance
 Weight loss due to the tapeworm competing for nutrients with the cat
 Vomiting
 Intestinal obstruction
 Diagnosis:
 Diagnosis can be confirmed by performing a study of a fresh sample of feces to check for
the presence of proglottids or tapeworm eggs by fecal floatation.
 Treatment:  
 provide with an effective deworming medication which will kill the tapeworm(s). These
may be in tablet, injection or spot-on form. Once they have died, they will be digested
along with the cat's food.

 Common tapeworm medications include:

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 Praziquantel (Drontal, Aristopet, Milbemax, Paraguard, Virbac)
 Praziquantel and Febantel (Drontal Plus, Popantel)
 Fenbendazole (Panacur).All bedding should be washed in hot water. All pets in the
household should be treated for both tapeworm and fleas.