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How Whipworms Can Affect Your Australian Shepherd

Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) are one of the main types of worms to infect dogs. Unlike many other worms whipworms are not transmissible to humans or cats. They are relatively small, only about a half inch (30–50 mm) in length.

Their heads are at the narrow end while their tails, containing the reproductive system, are enlarged and thicker giving them a 'whip' like shape.

While many other worms prefer the small intestine the whip worm makes its home in the large intestine, or more specifically, the cecum. The cecum is the part of the large intestine where it meets the small intestine.

3drenderings / stock.adobe.com

3D rendering of a whipworm (Trichuris vulpis).

When a whipworm produces eggs they are passed in the stool but they need 2–4 weeks to develop embryos that are infectious. When these eggs are ingested from contaminated soil they make their first stop in the small intestine.

Once there the egg hatches and a larvae is released. This larvae embeds itself into the tissue of the small intestine. After about a week it emerges into the small intestine where it is swept down to the cecum of the large intestine.

Now it embeds itself in the tissue of the cecum and grows. In 60–70 days from the time of initial infection the young whipworm is sexually mature and the next cycle begins.

Whipworm Symptoms Can Vary From Mild To Severe

Depending on the number of whipworms present symptoms can be mild to severe. Agitation and inflammation because of too many worms will result in bloody diarrhea. Anemia and dehydration can also occur.

Since female whipworms lay eggs only intermittently, unlike many other worms that lay them continuously, it can be difficult to diagnose because you will not always be able to find eggs in tested fecal samples. Even if whipworms are present in the intestine results can come back negative. So you may have to check a few times before you find them.

Treatments for whipworm are available but they have to be repeated after about 75 days in order to be effective. This allows time for maturation of larvae that may have been present at the time of the first treatment. Your vet can advise you about the best course of action and schedule to follow.

For more information about Aussie health issues see the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute (ASHGI).

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