Ascarid Parasites Overview
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Questions and Answers

What happens to the larvae once they encyst in the host's tissues?

  • Their development is arrested and can remain for years. (correct)
  • They continue to grow and develop rapidly.
  • They become inactive and cannot be reactivated.
  • They are expelled from the body through feces.

    • Which route of transmission is most important for the infestation of puppies?

  • Ingestion of paratenic hosts.
  • Transplacental transmission from the dam. (correct)
  • Transmammary transmission through milk.
  • Oral ingestion of infective ova.

    • How long does it take for Toxocara canis ova to become infective?

  • 10 days
  • 5 to 6 weeks
  • 1 week
  • 2 to 4 weeks (correct)

    • What is the prepatent period for Toxocara canis when acquired via transplacental transmission?

    <p>4 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In older puppies and adult dogs, what is most likely to happen to larvae that encyst in their tissues?

    <p>They eventually reactivate and set up a new infestation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of paratenic hosts in the lifecycle of Toxocara canis?

    <p>They provide a means for adult dogs to acquire infective larvae.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the prepatent period for Toxascaris leonina in dogs?

    <p>8 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main transit path for larvae migrating from ingested ova?

    <p>Liver to lungs via the circulatory system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sign is NOT typically associated with ascarid infestation in puppies?

    <p>Increased stamina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary route of transmission for neonatal infestations in young kittens?

    <p>Transmammary transmission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical age range for puppies most commonly experiencing patent infestations?

    <p>Under 5 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major difference between Toxascaris leonina and T.canis related to zoonotic potential?

    <p>T.canis is zoonotic while Toxascaris leonina is not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to larvae during somatic migration?

    <p>They remain encysted in tissues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a potential clinical sign of intestinal obstruction in puppies?

    <p>Vomiting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about the feline ascarid Toxocara cati is true?

    <p>The probability of tracheal migration remains high throughout a cat’s life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of transmission does not occur with Toxascaris leonina?

    <p>Transplacental transmission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common method to confirm ascarid infestation in an animal?

    <p>Microscopic fecal examination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is associated with the symptoms of Visceral Larva Migrans in humans?

    <p>Liver inflammation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common characteristic of larvae during tracheal migration?

    <p>They break out of pulmonary capillaries into alveoli.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what age does somatic migration primarily occur in dogs?

    <p>Older than 3 months old</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common clinical appearance in kittens heavily infested with ascarids?

    <p>Pot belly appearance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organism is NOT zoonotic among the mentioned ascarids?

    <p>Toxascaris leonina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long does it take for Toxocara cati eggs to become infective?

    <p>2-4 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of mucosal migration in larvae?

    <p>Larvae mature into adult ascarids</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the life cycle of ascarids in dogs and cats?

    <p>It is a direct life cycle with some potential for indirect transmission.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long does it typically take for ascarid ova to become infective?

    <p>2 to 4 weeks for most species, but only 1 week for Toxascaris leonina.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of infective ascarid ova?

    <p>They are resistant and can survive in soil for years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary transmission route for ascarids in puppies?

    <p>Transplacental transmission.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes transmammary transmission?

    <p>Larvae migrate to the mammary gland and are ingested by young through milk.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where do adult ascarids typically reside in their definitive host?

    <p>In the small intestine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ascarid transmission method does not apply to feline ascarids (Toxocara cati)?

    <p>Transplacental transmission.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about ascarid larvae is true?

    <p>They may migrate through the body depending on the host's age and species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary route of transmission for T.canis in puppies?

    <p>Transplacental route</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about paratenic host transmission is true?

    <p>Paratenic hosts need to be eaten by the definitive host for completion of the lifecycle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during mucosal migration of ascarid larvae?

    <p>Larvae burrow into the mucosa of the small intestine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference in the migration patterns of larvae in older puppies and adult dogs compared to younger ones?

    <p>Older puppies initiate tracheal migration but do not break out in the lungs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which age group do tracheal migration patterns most commonly occur?

    <p>Young puppies generally under 3 months of age</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during somatic migration in older puppies and adult dogs?

    <p>Some larvae remain in the circulatory system instead of entering the lungs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the pre-patent period for T.canis?

    <p>It takes approximately 4 weeks for eggs to appear in feces.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of larval migration through the liver?

    <p>It can create hepatic lesions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which clinical sign is associated with C. Visceral Larva Migrans in the liver?

    <p>Hepatomegaly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary treatment for larval ascarids in dogs?

    <p>Fenbendazole</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drug is effective in treating adult ascarids?

    <p>Pyrantel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of C. Ocular Larva Migrans?

    <p>Blindness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drug is typically administered to puppies starting at 2 weeks of age for hookworms?

    <p>Pyrantel pamoate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During what period should fenbendazole be administered to a pregnant bitch?

    <p>From Day 40 of gestation to Day 3 after whelping</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the efficacy of Pyrantel pamoate in treating adult ascarids in dogs and cats?

    <p>95%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required for puppies after completing their treatment with Pyrantel pamoate?

    <p>Monthly heartworm prevention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    General Ascarid Information

    • Nematode parasites, among the largest and most familiar
    • Direct life cycle, but some may be transferred by paratenic hosts, resulting in indirect transmission
    • Generally host-specific
    • Adults reside in the small intestine

    Ascarid Ova

    • Passed in the feces of the definitive host (DH)
    • Require 2-4 weeks to become infective, with larvae developing inside the ova
    • Very resistant to the environment and can survive in soil for years
    • Transmission occurs through the ingestion of infective ova by a new or subsequent definitive host

    Transmission

    • Oral transmission: Ova from an infected DH are ingested by a new DH, then hatch and migrate through the body before maturing in the intestinal tract and beginning to reproduce
    • Transplacental Transmission: Larvae from a pregnant host cross the placenta and infect the developing fetus
    • Primary transmission route for puppies

    Migration of Ascarid Larvae

    • Mucosal Migration: Larvae burrow into intestinal mucosa, then develop and mature into adult worms, returning to the lumen to reproduce
    • Tracheal Migration: Larvae migrate to the lungs, enter the alveoli, travel through the trachea, and returned to the intestines, where they mature into adult worms
    • Somatic Migration: Larvae migrate through the circulatory system to various organs, encysting in tissues; particularly common in older puppies, adult dogs, and adult cats

    Canine Ascarids (Toxocara canis)

    • Definitive host: Dogs
    • Ova slightly larger than T. cati ova
    • Zoonotic
    • Ovum requires 2-4 weeks to become infective
    • Transplacental transmission is the most crucial method for pup infection
    • Oral, transmammary, and paratenic host transmission occur

    Types of Transmission

    • Oral: Ingestion of infective ova
    • Transplacental: Transmission of larvae through the placenta
    • Transmammary: Transmission via maternal milk
    • Paratenic host: Ingestion of an intermediate host infected with larvae

    Feline Ascarids (Toxocara cati)

    • Definitive host: Cats
    • Look similar to T. canis
    • Zoonotic
    • Ovum requires 2-4 weeks to become infective
    • Prenatal infection does not occur
    • Neonatal infection through transmammary transmission is crucial for kittens
    • Mucosal, tracheal, and somatic migrations are crucial

    The Dog and Cat Ascarids (Toxascaris leonina)

    • Affects both dogs and cats
    • Ovum infective in 1 week, Oral and paratenic host transmission
    • No transplacental or transmammary transmission
    • Only mucosal migration
    • More likely than T. canis or T. cati to be found in adult animals (especially dogs), Pre-patent period longer (especially in cats)
    • Not zoonotic

    Clinical Signs of Ascarids

    • Puppies: Pot-bellied appearance, dull hair coat, diarrhea, constipation, coughing, decreased stamina, small size, or abdominal discomfort.
    • Kittens: Often subclinical; coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and pot belly appearance.

    Diagnosis

    • Perform a fecal examination to confirm the presence of ascarids, either for adult worms or ova.

    Zoonotic Ascarids

    • T. canis, T. cati, Baylisascaris procyonis, and Ascaris suum have zoonotic potential
    • Transmission occurs through ingestion of ova, with infected animals becoming a paratenic host.

    Visceral and Ocular Larva Migrans

    • Infective ova hatch, larvae migrate through tissues (liver, lungs, CNS for visceral, eyes for ocular)
    • Larvae can encyst in various tissues, causing inflammation, but not complete development due to the host environment/immune response

    Treatment of Ascarids

    • Several drugs are effective against adult and larval ascarids
    • Consult veterinarian regarding treatment for pregnant animals.

    Care of Infested Puppies/Kittens

    • Vigilance and hygiene to prevent re-infection are crucial
    • A high-quality, balanced diet with adequate vitamins and minerals should aid in the recovery process

    Environmental Control

    • Remove all fecal material to eliminate the source of infestation.
    • Steam sterilization, total removal of topsoil, or prescribed burns can eliminate the ova.

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    Description

    Explore the fascinating world of ascarid nematodes, their life cycles, and transmission methods. This quiz covers the key features of ascarid ova, including their resilience and the unique migratory patterns of larvae within hosts. Test your knowledge on these important parasites and their impact on various hosts.

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