Whipworms are slender worms about 5 to 7 centimeters long. They are thin at the front and thicker at the back. Whipworms live in the cecum and large intestine of dogs and foxes, and are most commonly found in kennels where hygiene is lacking.
When the temperature rises above 4 °C, larvae develop inside the whipworm eggs, making it possible for other dogs to become infected. As long as temperatures stay above 4 °C, the worm eggs can remain infectious to dogs for 3 to 5 years.
Once ingested, the larvae continue to develop in the intestines. In the large intestine, they mature into adult worms. The development process from larva to adult takes 60 to 90 days. An adult worm can live up to 1.5 years and lay eggs throughout this time.
The whipworm lives in the cecum and large intestine of dogs. The thin part of the worm embeds itself under the intestinal mucosa, while the thicker part remains in the intestinal lumen. Due to their position in the intestine, whipworms damage the intestinal wall, causing bloody diarrhea, mucus in the stool, and weight loss. The dog’s abdomen may be painful and swollen, and in severe cases, anemia can occur. Puppies may die as a result of a whipworm infection.
Whipworm is most commonly found in kennels where cleaning is insufficient. That’s why a good hygiene protocol is essential to prevent whipworm infections. Remove dog feces daily and thoroughly clean the kennels. High-pressure steam cleaning has proven to be effective. Disinfectants usually have little to no effect against whipworms.
We recommend having your dog's stool tested at least 4 times a year to detect any infections early. If the test shows your dog is infected with whipworms, we will provide a personalized treatment plan. This way, your dog’s health comes first and unnecessary deworming is avoided. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we’re happy to help.
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