by Denice Moffat | Parasitology Section
Echinococcus granulosus, the sheep tapeworm causes echinococcus or hydatidosis or Hydatid disease. This one is really bad as it gets into the brain of humans and grows. If the surgeon accidentally pops the sac containing the eggs, you can count on purchasing a cemetery plot. Symptoms of Echinococcosis/ Hydatidosis in the human include an enlarged liver, ascites, swollen abdomen and dull abdominal pain. A CBC (Complete Blood Count) may be high in eosinophils and there may be signs of hemolytic anemia (red cells bust up so there are not enough of them to assist the body in getting oxygen). Possible anaphylaxis can happen if the cysts are ruptured.
by Denice Moffat | Parasitology Section
Dipylidium caninum worms are passed by eating fleas. Dogs and cats can also get tapeworms from eating mice. This worm infects dogs, cats, foxes, coyotes and man.
by Denice Moffat | Parasitology Section
Diphylobothrium infection, causes diphyllobothriasis and is transferred from raw fish to humans, dogs and bears. Pike, salmon, trout and perch are the major source for humans, so be sure to examine your lox before you put it onto your bagel and you might want to ask what kind of fish are in your sushi! Actually, most any animal eating raw fish can also get this particular tapeworm.
by Denice Moffat | Parasitology Section
Tapeworms are flat like a ribbon, and made up of segments called proglottids. The proglottids contain between 50 to 60,000 eggs. As the tapeworm grows, the proglottids eventually break off and exit via the anus. Tapeworms live in the small intestine and they anchor into the intestinal wall by means of a scolex.
by Denice Moffat | Parasitology Section
Trichuris (Whipworm) is a roundworm present all over the world, but mostly it resides in tropical climates and in places with poor sanitation. We see it in the veterinary world in places that have lots of species of animals or lots of dogs where the owner’s do not pick up the poop ever.
by Denice Moffat | Parasitology Section
This worm is common in cattle and other ruminants and can be passed through the fecal-oral route. Some people get infected because they use cattle dung as a heat source. Symptoms of Trichostongylus are not as obvious as with some of the other roundworm species and include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lack of appetite or weight loss.
