10. Endoparasites

Question 1

What are the 2 major categories of internal parasites found in dogs and cats?

Answer 1

Protozoans (giardia, toxoplasma, tritrichomonas)

Helminths (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms)

Question 2

Which endoparasites can be found in rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets?

Answer 2

Coccidiosis (nematode)
Pinworms (nematode)
ferrets- canine heartworm

Question 3

Which endoparasites can be found in horses and donkeys?

Answer 3

• Large Redworms (Strongylus vulgaris)
• Small Redworms (Cyathostominspp.) the most common internal parasite in horses
• Roundworms (Parascaris equorum)
• Pinworms (Oxyuris equi)
• Threadworms (Strongyloides Westeri) young foals no immunity
• Tapeworms (Anoplocephalaspp.)
• Lungworms (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi) donkeys are the natural host
• Bots (Gastrophilus)

Question 4

Which endoparasites can be found in reptiles?

Answer 4

• Trematodes
• Tapeworms
• Nematodes
• Stomach worms
• Ascarids
• Numerous protozoans- usually harmless

Question 5

Which endoparasites can be found in birds?

Answer 5

Parasites are not commonly diagnosed in pet birds

Intestinal parasites are often seen when the faeces are examined microscopically.
Blood parasites are often seen during a routine blood count

Question 6

What is anthelmintic resistance?

Answer 6

Anthelmintic drug Resistance occurs when parasites develop adaptations that evade the action of that particular drug. When these adaptations confer an evolutionary advantage, the prevalence of the resistant gene will increase

Question 7

What are FECs?

Answer 7

Faecal Egg Count

Faecal Egg Count Reduction Tests (FECRT) involves FEC being undertaken prior to treatment and repeated two weeks later, with a calculation of relative change in EPG counts.

Horses require strategic worming which is why we do FECs.