Whipworms

Scrufdog · 10-14-2007, 10:40 PM

Has anyone had to deal with whipworms before? Scruffy went to the animal emergency vet this morning because he'd thrown up several times the night before and had diarhea (sp) this morning. When he came in he had some blood on his bottom. Seeing blood scared me so I didn't wait. They diagnosed him with whipworms, administered fluids and sent us home with 3 packs of Panacur to be sprinkled on his food. This was really hard because he couldn't drink for 6 hours and then couldn't eat for another hour or two after that. Everytime I took him outside he tried to poo but what came out just looked like blood but maybe a bit thicker. Since he couldn't eat he couldn't take the medicine that was supposed to make him better.

They told me this is spread by fecal matter and that Scruffy must have come into contact with infected fecal matter and it could have happened anywhere we'd been. I read online that the whipworm eggs are almost indestructable and can live in dirt for years until unknowingly a pup picks them up by rooting around. If this is the case what actions should I take to guard against a repeat reinfestation?

By the way yesterday he was running around like a wild thing (normal) and that night it all started to unfold around 11 pm and he was a totally different pup today.

lovemygreys · 10-14-2007, 10:51 PM

Whips are a HUGE pain in the butt to get rid of in the ground. Napalm and/or a blowtorch might work if you're lucky.

If you have an infestation problem in your yard, you can switch to Interceptor/Sentinel heartworm prevention, as either will help protect against re-infestation.

cascabel · 10-14-2007, 10:55 PM

You are right that they can be very hard to get rid of in the environment. However, administering a monthly heartworm preventative (specifically one like Interceptor which kills adult whipworms) should prevent further problems with your dog.

Is Scruffy already on heartworm preventative?

I should also add that I don't think Heartgard protects against whipworm. So it matters which preventative you are using.

lovemygreys~Sorry to be so repetitive....I guess I type too slow for this forum!

Scrufdog · 10-14-2007, 11:04 PM

Yes, Scruffy is on Heartguard Plus and also uses Frontline Plus. I had already heard about Interceptor and will look into it because Heartguard Plus does not take care of whipworms.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had to deal with this before and how long he should be away from any other dogs. I have notified neighbors that have dogs and a friend, who's dog Scruffy plays with on a regular basis. She had already called her vet and was told to bring her pup in for preventative treatment and to start her on Interceptor as well.

I hope not too many pups have to go through this.

FriendsOfZoe · 10-14-2007, 11:56 PM

He doesn't really have to be away from other dogs, you just need to make sure that you immediately pick up after him when he poos, and I would get some bath wipes to wipe down his rear after he goes, too. He can't infect other dogs just be being around them, they have to come in contact with fecal matter. I might suggest a nice good bath first, though, in case he may have gotten any on his paws or anything from the grass. This is why it's important for all dogs to be on a good worm preventative monthly, as neither you nor any other owner can completely control the existence of these worms...as you said yourself, they could live in the soil even after you cleaned up all the poop and could infest dogs who don't eat poo, either, if the larvae get on their paws and they lick their paws or rub their paws on their faces...

So, once your pup is feeling better and at least eating and having productive BMs again, I would go ahead and let him play as much as he feels like it. The best things you can do are to clean up after him immediately and let any others know that there are whipworms in your area so their dogs should be on a preventative that covers whipworms as well as heartworms.

By the way, Zoe had whipworms (and roundworms, giardia, and one of the other kinds of worms that I can't recall right now). Once your dog can eat and gets that medicine in him, you should notice a difference very quickly. Zoe was usually almost 100% after just one dose and a good meal. As gross as it is, worms are pretty common for dogs, especially puppies, and are not generally that dangerous as long as they're treated. Hope Scruffy's doing much better soon!

P.S. Zoe's on interceptor and hasn't had any problems with worms since she started it. I definitely recommend it.

Scrufdog · 10-15-2007, 10:18 AM

Thanks Friends of Zoe. That was the info. I was looking for. I thought I was giving him the best by giving him Heartguard but will definitely switch to Interceptor.