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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.
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ToxocaraCanis Austin Keys
Taxonomy • Phylum: Nematoda • Class: Secernentea • Order: Ascaridida • Family: Toxocaridae • Genus: Toxocara • Species: Toxocaracanis • 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 cm • Male: 4-6 cm long • Three lips • Prominent cervical alae • Egg • Brownish 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 • Inflammation • Formation of scars • Detachment of retina • Partial 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. canis • Clinical signs • History of exposure to puppies
VLM & OLM Treatment • Antiparasitc drugs • Albendazole (drug of choice) • Mebendacole • 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