People typically get whipworm infections after consuming dirt or water contaminated with feces containing whipworm parasites or their eggs. Whipworm eggs can get into the soil when contaminated feces are used in fertilizers or when an infected person or animal defecates outside.
How does a dog get whipworms?
Dogs become infected by eating the whipworm eggs in the soil, usually during grooming. Not all dogs show signs of a whipworm infection, but those that do may have diarrhea with blood and mucus, dehydration, and weight loss. Whipworm infections are diagnosed by finding parasite eggs during a veterinary fecal exam.
Where is whipworm found?
Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) is an intestinal parasite of humans. The larvae and adult worms live in the intestine of humans and can cause intestinal disease. The name comes from the worm's whip-like shape.
Can dogs get whipworms from humans?
They can also be found in domestic and wild pigs. Other animal species, including, non-human primates can also get whipworms. Different species of whipworms infest different species of animals. Whipworms that infect dogs and pigs are not the same; there is no transmission of whipworms between these two species.
Do whipworms live in the soil?
Whipworm eggs are contained in the topsoil, where they can easily be ingested by animals. For this reason, one sure way to get rid of whipworms in your yard is to remove the top 6 inches of topsoil.
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