What are the signs of whipworm infection?
The signs of infection vary with the number of worms in the intestine. Small numbers of worms cause no signs, but larger numbers can result in inflammation of the intestinal wall. Large amounts of mucous are produced by the inflamed intestine. Sometimes hemorrhage into the intestine occurs, and anemia can result. Animals may have diarrhea and loss of weight. In very heavy infections, the worms may penetrate through the intestinal wall and the resulting inflammation causes the intestine to adhere (stick) to the body wall. Animals with this condition may frequently lick their right flank area where the adhesion occurs. Are whipworms a health hazard to people? There have been reports of people being infected with T. vulpis. Humans are more often infected with T. trichiura, the human whipworm. How do we prevent and control whipworm infections? Whipworm eggs are somewhat susceptible to drying, but can remain alive in moist soil for years, and are resistant to freezing. Because of this, anim
