Severe ascariasis in dogs can be fatal

This disease is caused by canine roundworms and lion roundworms parasitic in the human small intestine and stomach. It is widely distributed in my country and mainly harms puppies aged 1 to 3 months, affecting growth and development. Severe infection can lead to death.

Overview of dog ascariasis

Canine roundworm (Toxocara canis) is yellow-white in color, has three lips on its head, and a long nuchal membrane on the side of its body. Canine roundworms are characterized by a small stomach at the junction of the esophagus and intestines. Males are 50-110 mm long with a curved tail; females are 90-180 mm long with a straight tail. Lion roundworms (Toxoplasma species) are similar in color and shape to Lion roundworms, but have no stomach; males are 35-70 mm long, and females are 30-100 mm long.

Canine roundworm eggs are excreted in the feces and develop into infective eggs under suitable conditions. After puppies under 3 months old swallow infective eggs, larvae hatch out in the intestines. The larvae burrow into the intestinal wall of the dog, travel through the lymphatic system to the mesenteric lymph nodes, then reach the liver through the blood flow, and then reach the lungs with the blood flow. The larvae pass through The alveoli, bronchioles, and bronchi are then swallowed into the stomach through the larynx, and then develop into adult worms in the small intestine. The entire process takes 4 to 5 weeks. After an older dog swallows infective eggs, the larvae travel to various tissues and organs of the body with the bloodstream and form cysts. The larvae remain active but do not develop further; after the female dog containing the cysts becomes pregnant, the larvae are activated. Migrate through the placenta to the fetal liver and cause intrafetal infection. After the fetus is born, the larvae migrate to the lungs, and then migrate to the gastrointestinal tract to develop into adult worms. Mature canine roundworms appear 23-40 days after the birth of the puppies. Newborn puppies can also become infected by sucking colostrum; after infection, the larvae develop directly into adult worms in the small intestine.

Under suitable external conditions, Ascaris larvae develop into infective eggs. After being swallowed by dogs, the larvae escape in the small intestine, burrow into the intestinal wall, develop and then return to the intestinal cavity. After 3-4 weeks develop into adults.

Key points for diagnosis of dog ascariasis

1. Clinical symptoms: The mucous membrane gradually becomes thinner and pale. Loss of appetite, vomiting, heterophilia, dyspepsia, dysentery, and constipation. Occasionally, epileptic seizures may occur. Puppies with bloated abdomen and delayed growth. When the roundworm infection is severe, it is often excreted in vomit and feces, which can confirm the diagnosis.

2. Laboratory examination: The saturated salt water flotation method or the direct smear method can be used to check the eggs in the feces for diagnosis.

Treatment methods for dog ascariasis

(1) Regular inspection and deworming: Puppies should be inspected once a month, and adult dogs should be inspected once a quarter. If a sick dog is found, deworm it immediately. Levamisole can be taken orally at 10 mg per kilogram of body weight. Or use mebendazole, 10 mg per kilogram of body weight, twice a day for two days. Or use 5-10 mg of pyrantel per kilogram of body weight, taken orally. Or use drive100 mg of Ascarid Ling per kilogram of body weight, taken orally.

(2) Do a good job in cleaning and sanitation: The environment, troughs, and food must be carefully cleaned and excrement removed in a timely manner.