Common Intestinal Parasites

Please pay close attention to the shape and size of both the eggs and adults as you will be tested on this information

Hookworms

Scientific Name: Ancylostoma caninum Common parasites of both dogs and cats Notice the bundle of “eggs” within the egg Notice the thin outer shell

Hookworms

Scientific Name: Uncinaria stenocephala Uncinaria is the larger egg in the picture

Hookworms

Adult hookworm Notice the “hook” on the mouthparts Causes bloody diarrhea

Tapeworm

Scientific name: Dipylidium caninum Most common tapeworm of dogs and cats Large egg with what looks like “packets” of eggs inside

Tapeworm

Scientific Name: Taenia sp. Commonly found in both dogs and cats Not usually seen on a fecal flotation

Tapeworms

Adult tapeworm Notice the “segmented” appearance

Roundworms

Scientific Name: Toxacara canis and Toxacaris leonina T. canis is commonly found in both dogs and cats T. canis is larger than T. leonina T. leonina is less common in dogs and cats Notice the thick outer shell and dark interior

Roundworm

Adult roundworm Clients typically describe the adult worm as looking like

spaghetti Common in puppies

Whipworms

Scientific Name: Trichuris vulpis Common worm in dogs Notice the “plug” or operculum at both ends of the egg

and thick brown shell

Whipworm

Adult dog whipworm Notice the “whip” type appearance of the tail The tail slashes the lining of the intestines, causing

bloody diarrhea

Coccidia

Scientific Name: Isospora canis Common canine parasite Notice the oval shape

Coccidia

Scientific Name: Isospora felis Common feline parasite