TOXOCARA CANIS

Austin Keys

TAXONOMY Phylum: Nematoda Class: Secernentea Order: Ascaridida Family: Toxocaridae Genus: Toxocara Species: Toxocara canis

Common Name: Dog Roundworm

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/monsters-inside-me-toxocara-parasite.html

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

Worldwide where Dogs are found

MORPHOLOGY Adult

Female: 6.5-15 cmMale: 4-6 cm longThree lipsProminent cervical alae

EggBrownish color and

almost spherical (85µm x 75µm)

HOSTS Definitive: Dogs

Paratenic & Accidental: Humans and other usually small mammals

SYMPTOMS In dogs usually asymptomatic

In puppies Noisey breathing Vomiting Diarrhea Pot belly

May cause death in heavy infections

In Humans usually asymptomatic Abdominal pain Decreased apetite Fever Hives Restlessness Various other symptoms depend on what organ the larvae

infect

OCULAR LARVAE MIGRATIONS (OLM)

Caused by larvae that have migrated to the retina of the eye InflammationFormation of scarsDetachment of retinaPartial to full vision loss

VISCERAL LARVAE MIGRATIONS(VLM)

Caused from Larvae wondering throughout various organs of the body (brain, lungs, liver(most common) , heart,muscle)Depend on organ that is infected

Fever Pulmonary symptoms Hepatospleenmegaly Eosinophilia Asthma

DIAGNOSIS Dogs

Assume all puppies are infected Check for eggs in multiple stool samples

(because eggs are not shed at all times) Humans

ELISA – identifies certain antibodies in the blood Can distinguish between A. lumbricoides & T.

canisClinical signsHistory of exposure to puppies

VLM & OLM TREATMENTAntiparasitc drugs

o Albendazole (drug of choice)o Mebendacoleo usually with Anti-inflammatory

OLM no known treatment Steroids have been used but are unsure if it is

effective or not

PREVENTION Make sure to treat your dogs, more

important, regularly for worms Wear gloves when working with possible

contaminated soil Do not allow children to ingest or play in

possibly contaminated soil

WORKS CITED http://

www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/html/frames/s-z/toxocariasis/body_Toxocariasis_page2.htm

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/Charlo-28141-Toxocara-canis-Introduction-Background-Information-Morphology-Eggs-continued-Life-Cycle-Pathogenesis-as-Entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/

Roberts, L. et all. Foundations of Parasitology(, 7th ed.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/999850-overview

course1.winona.edu/kbates/Parasitology/documents/Toxocara.pp

http://cms.revoptom.com/handbook/oct02_sec5_4.htm