What is Trichuris vulpis?
Trichuris vulpis, the whipworm, is a nematode parasite that lives in the large intestine and caecum of dogs. Its name comes from its characteristic shape: a thin anterior end (like a whip handle) and a thicker posterior end.
How dogs get infected
Dogs become infected by ingesting infective eggs from contaminated soil. Whipworm eggs are extremely hardy and can remain viable in the environment for years. Parks, gardens and areas frequented by dogs are high-risk zones.
Zoonosis risk: Very low. The human whipworm (T. trichiura) is a different species.
Symptoms
- Chronic or intermittent diarrhoea: often with mucus and/or blood in the stool.
- Weight loss and poor body condition.
- Anaemia (in heavy infections).
- Mild infections may be asymptomatic.
- In severe cases: electrolyte disturbances (hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia) mimicking Addison's disease.
Diagnosis
- Faecal flotation: method of choice. The barrel-shaped eggs with bipolar plugs are characteristic. Multiple samples may be needed as egg shedding is intermittent.
- Blood panel: useful for detecting anaemia and associated electrolyte abnormalities.
Treatment
- Fenbendazole: 50 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days. Repeat at 3 weeks and 3 months to cover the larval development cycle. This is the treatment of choice.
- Milbemycin oxime: effective and present in many broad-spectrum antiparasitic products.
- Febantel: effective, usually in combination products.
Prevention
- Regular deworming with a broad-spectrum product covering intestinal nematodes.
- Pick up dog faeces immediately (eggs are not immediately infective but become so within weeks).
- Prevent dogs from eating soil in potentially contaminated areas.