Ascarids (Roundworms)
Ascarids (Roundworms)
Ascarids are the most frequent worm parasite in dogs and cats. There are two
species that commonly infect dogs: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina.
Adult roundworms live in the stomach and intestines and can grow to 7
inches (18 cm) long. A female may lay 200,000 eggs in a day. The eggs are
protected by a hard shell. They are extremely hardy and can live for months
or years in the soil.
There are four ways dogs can become infected with roundworms. Prenatal
infection occurs when the larvae migrate through the placenta in utero.
Almost all puppies are infected in this manner before birth. Mother’s milk can
also transmit ascarids. In addition, puppies and adults can become infected by
ingesting eggs in the soil. And finally, dogs can acquire the eggs by ingesting a
transport or intermediate host, such as a mouse or other rodent.
The life cycle of T. canis in young puppies is as follows: Eggs entering
through the puppy’s mouth hatch in her stomach. The larvae are carried to
the lungs by the circulatory system. Here they break through the capillaries
into the air sacs, sometimes causing bouts of coughing and gagging. Once in
the lungs, the larvae crawl up the windpipe and are swallowed. Back in the
intestines, the larvae develop into adult worms. The adults pass eggs that
become infective in soil in three to four weeks.
Dogs older than 6 months develop an acquired resistance to ascarids. Few,
if any, larvae complete the life cycle. Most come to rest in various body tissues, where they encyst. While encysted, they are protected against the dog’s
56 • DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
antibodies and also the effects of most dewormers. (Interceptor is an exception. This dewormer has some effect on encysted larvae.) During pregnancy,
however, encysted larvae are activated and migrate to the placenta and mammary glands. Deworming the dam before pregnancy reduces the burden of
migrating larvae but does not eliminate all puppy infestations because there
are still encysted larvae in the mother’s body.
Ascarids rarely cause symptoms in adult dogs; in puppies older than 2
months, they usually produce only mild intermittent vomiting and diarrhea.
Worms maybe found in the vomitus or passed in the stool. Typically, they look
like white earthworms or strands of spaghetti that may be moving.
In very young puppies, a heavy infestation can result in severe illness or even
death. These puppies often fail to thrive, have a dull coat and a pot-bellied
appearance, and are anemic and stunted in growth. Such puppies may experience abdominal pain with whimpering and groaning. Rarely, a tangled mass of
worms in the small intestines can cause death from intestinal obstruction.
Treatment: Nemex or Strongid (pyrantel pamoate suspension) is an excellent dewormer for nursing pups because it is safe and active against both
ascarids and hookworms. This makes it the agent of choice for these youngsters. Pyrantel pamoate dewormers can be obtained from your veterinarian.
You do not have to fast your pup before using this medication. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding dosage.
Puppies should be dewormed by 2 weeks of age—before they begin to pass
ascarid eggs and contaminate the environment. Repeat the treatment at 4, 6,
and 8 weeks of age. The purpose of retreating is to kill worms that were in the
larval stage during the first dewormings. Subsequent treatments are indicated
if eggs or worms are found in the stool.
Drontal Plus, Vercom Paste, Telmintic, and Panacur have a broad spectrum of activity and are all highly effective against ascarids, hookworms, and
whipworms. Drontal and Vercom are also highly effective against tapeworms.
Panacur is only partially effective against tapeworms. Deworming the brood
bitch with Panacur during the last two weeks of gestation and during lactation reduces environmental exposure and helps control puppy infection.
Drontal Plus comes in two tablet sizes: one for small dogs and another for
medium and large dogs. The prescribed number of tablets (based on the dog’s
weight) is given as a single dose. The dose should be repeated in two to four
weeks. Drontal Plus cannot be used in dogs who weigh less than 2 pounds
(1 kg) or in puppies less than 3 weeks old. A stool sample should be checked
following the second course of treatment.
Vercom and Panacur are given daily for three consecutive days. The entire
course should be repeated in two to four weeks, followed by a stool check to
make sure the worms have been eliminated.
Prevention: Heartworm preventives such as Interceptor prevent and control ascarids as well as hookworms and whipworms. Heartgard Plus controls
ascarids and hookworms but not whipworms.
GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES • 57
Public health considerations: Ascarids can cause a serious disease in
humans called visceral larva migrans. The infection is acquired when the eggs
of T. canis are ingested by a human. Children 1 to 4 years old are most frequently affected, and often have a history of eating dirt. The frequent use of
city parks by pets has resulted in heavy contamination of soil and sandboxes
in these areas. One study of parks in a large U.S. city revealed that one out of
three soil samples contained T. canis eggs.
When a human eats an ascarid egg, larvae develop as in the dog. However,
because humans are not a definitive host, the larvae do not progress to adult
ascarids. Instead, they burrow into the intestinal wall and migrate to the liver,
lungs, and skin. Symptoms, which develop only when the infestation is heavy,
include abdominal pain, cough, wheezing, itching, and a skin rash with papules.
In a very heavy infestation, larvae may reach the heart, kidneys, spleen, brain,
eyes, and other tissues. In young children, a syndrome called ocular larva
migrans can lead to blindness and necessitate the removal of an eye.
Prevention of human infection is based on recognizing that the vast majority of eggs excreted in the environment are produced by nursing puppies and
lactating bitches. This is one reason why it is so important to deworm puppies
before eggs appear in the stool.
Older children should be instructed not to put soil and sand in their mouths.
Infants and toddlers require parental supervision to prevent this. Infants and
young children should not be allowed to play with and handle nursing pups
until they have mastered the discipline of washing their hands after petting an
animal. Better enforcement of leash laws and pooper-scooper ordinances would
reduce environmental contamination. Setting aside separate dog parks or areas
for dogs to play can help keep children away from affected areas.
Ascarids are the most frequent worm parasite in dogs and cats. There are two
species that commonly infect dogs: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina.
Adult roundworms live in the stomach and intestines and can grow to 7
inches (18 cm) long. A female may lay 200,000 eggs in a day. The eggs are
protected by a hard shell. They are extremely hardy and can live for months
or years in the soil.
There are four ways dogs can become infected with roundworms. Prenatal
infection occurs when the larvae migrate through the placenta in utero.
Almost all puppies are infected in this manner before birth. Mother’s milk can
also transmit ascarids. In addition, puppies and adults can become infected by
ingesting eggs in the soil. And finally, dogs can acquire the eggs by ingesting a
transport or intermediate host, such as a mouse or other rodent.
The life cycle of T. canis in young puppies is as follows: Eggs entering
through the puppy’s mouth hatch in her stomach. The larvae are carried to
the lungs by the circulatory system. Here they break through the capillaries
into the air sacs, sometimes causing bouts of coughing and gagging. Once in
the lungs, the larvae crawl up the windpipe and are swallowed. Back in the
intestines, the larvae develop into adult worms. The adults pass eggs that
become infective in soil in three to four weeks.
Dogs older than 6 months develop an acquired resistance to ascarids. Few,
if any, larvae complete the life cycle. Most come to rest in various body tissues, where they encyst. While encysted, they are protected against the dog’s
56 • DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
antibodies and also the effects of most dewormers. (Interceptor is an exception. This dewormer has some effect on encysted larvae.) During pregnancy,
however, encysted larvae are activated and migrate to the placenta and mammary glands. Deworming the dam before pregnancy reduces the burden of
migrating larvae but does not eliminate all puppy infestations because there
are still encysted larvae in the mother’s body.
Ascarids rarely cause symptoms in adult dogs; in puppies older than 2
months, they usually produce only mild intermittent vomiting and diarrhea.
Worms maybe found in the vomitus or passed in the stool. Typically, they look
like white earthworms or strands of spaghetti that may be moving.
In very young puppies, a heavy infestation can result in severe illness or even
death. These puppies often fail to thrive, have a dull coat and a pot-bellied
appearance, and are anemic and stunted in growth. Such puppies may experience abdominal pain with whimpering and groaning. Rarely, a tangled mass of
worms in the small intestines can cause death from intestinal obstruction.
Treatment: Nemex or Strongid (pyrantel pamoate suspension) is an excellent dewormer for nursing pups because it is safe and active against both
ascarids and hookworms. This makes it the agent of choice for these youngsters. Pyrantel pamoate dewormers can be obtained from your veterinarian.
You do not have to fast your pup before using this medication. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding dosage.
Puppies should be dewormed by 2 weeks of age—before they begin to pass
ascarid eggs and contaminate the environment. Repeat the treatment at 4, 6,
and 8 weeks of age. The purpose of retreating is to kill worms that were in the
larval stage during the first dewormings. Subsequent treatments are indicated
if eggs or worms are found in the stool.
Drontal Plus, Vercom Paste, Telmintic, and Panacur have a broad spectrum of activity and are all highly effective against ascarids, hookworms, and
whipworms. Drontal and Vercom are also highly effective against tapeworms.
Panacur is only partially effective against tapeworms. Deworming the brood
bitch with Panacur during the last two weeks of gestation and during lactation reduces environmental exposure and helps control puppy infection.
Drontal Plus comes in two tablet sizes: one for small dogs and another for
medium and large dogs. The prescribed number of tablets (based on the dog’s
weight) is given as a single dose. The dose should be repeated in two to four
weeks. Drontal Plus cannot be used in dogs who weigh less than 2 pounds
(1 kg) or in puppies less than 3 weeks old. A stool sample should be checked
following the second course of treatment.
Vercom and Panacur are given daily for three consecutive days. The entire
course should be repeated in two to four weeks, followed by a stool check to
make sure the worms have been eliminated.
Prevention: Heartworm preventives such as Interceptor prevent and control ascarids as well as hookworms and whipworms. Heartgard Plus controls
ascarids and hookworms but not whipworms.
GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES • 57
Public health considerations: Ascarids can cause a serious disease in
humans called visceral larva migrans. The infection is acquired when the eggs
of T. canis are ingested by a human. Children 1 to 4 years old are most frequently affected, and often have a history of eating dirt. The frequent use of
city parks by pets has resulted in heavy contamination of soil and sandboxes
in these areas. One study of parks in a large U.S. city revealed that one out of
three soil samples contained T. canis eggs.
When a human eats an ascarid egg, larvae develop as in the dog. However,
because humans are not a definitive host, the larvae do not progress to adult
ascarids. Instead, they burrow into the intestinal wall and migrate to the liver,
lungs, and skin. Symptoms, which develop only when the infestation is heavy,
include abdominal pain, cough, wheezing, itching, and a skin rash with papules.
In a very heavy infestation, larvae may reach the heart, kidneys, spleen, brain,
eyes, and other tissues. In young children, a syndrome called ocular larva
migrans can lead to blindness and necessitate the removal of an eye.
Prevention of human infection is based on recognizing that the vast majority of eggs excreted in the environment are produced by nursing puppies and
lactating bitches. This is one reason why it is so important to deworm puppies
before eggs appear in the stool.
Older children should be instructed not to put soil and sand in their mouths.
Infants and toddlers require parental supervision to prevent this. Infants and
young children should not be allowed to play with and handle nursing pups
until they have mastered the discipline of washing their hands after petting an
animal. Better enforcement of leash laws and pooper-scooper ordinances would
reduce environmental contamination. Setting aside separate dog parks or areas
for dogs to play can help keep children away from affected areas.
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