Nematodes Flashcards
(274 cards)
What are Ascarids?
Roundworms that interfere with digestion and absorption of nutrients, notably protein
Ascarids can cause telescoping of the intestine in foals.
What is the life cycle of Ascarids?
Direct life cycle; larvae migrate through lungs and can cause pneumonia
They build up in large numbers in the anterior part of the small intestine.
What is the maximum length that an Ascarid can grow in 4 weeks?
Up to 12 inches
This can lead to blockage of the small intestines.
List the clinical signs of ascariasis.
- Impaction colic
- Pneumonia
- Pot belly
- Unthrifty appearance
- Poor hair coat
What are the methods for diagnosing Ascarids?
- Clinical signs
- Fecal flotation
- Necropsy
What are effective control measures for Ascarids?
- Good sanitation
- Avoid putting foals in the same pastures year after year
- Regular worming of foals and young stock
What common wormers are effective against Ascarids?
- Panacur
- Strongid
- Ivermectin
What is Parascaris equorum?
A nematode commonly found in foals/young horses that can cause impaction and colic
The female can grow up to 40 cm in length.
List the clinical signs of Parascaris equorum.
- Respiratory signs (coughing, nasal discharge)
- Depression
- Anorexia
- Lethargy
- Poor coat
- Reduced weight gain
- Failure to thrive
- Diarrhea
- Pot belly
- Colic
What is the life cycle of Parascaris equorum?
Eggs are swallowed, hatch, liberate 2nd stage larvae, which migrate through the liver to the lungs, and return to the small intestine to mature
This process takes about 3 months.
What are the epidemiological characteristics of Parascaris equorum?
- Female worms can lay millions of eggs daily
- Eggs are resistant to freezing and drying
- Optimal development temperatures are between 25°C and 35°C
At what age do infection rates in foals begin to decline significantly?
By six months old
This is due to age-dependent resistance and a potent immune response.
What is the significance of Toxocara vitulorum?
Causes pneumonia in calves and competes for food, leading to diarrhea and weight loss
Larvae can be passed to calves via colostrum.
What is the taxonomic classification of Toxocara canis?
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Nematoda
- Class: Rhabditea
- Order: Ascaridida
- Family: Ascarididae
- Genus: Toxocara
- Species: canis
What are the characteristics of Ascarids?
Typically very large, stout intestinal worms
They frequently have three large lips.
Fill in the blank: The eggs of Ascaris suum are ______.
oval and golden brown with a thick, albuminous shell
What is a potential zoonotic risk associated with Ascaris suum?
Ingestion of eggs can lead to zoonotic infections
This is significant for human health.
What are the clinical signs of ascariasis?
- Unthriftiness
- Failure to gain weight
- Rough hair coat
- Pendulous abdomen
- Chronic cough
How long does it take for Toxocara vitulorum eggs to develop to the infective stage?
Approximately 17 days
This occurs on pasture.
What is the kingdom classification of Toxocara canis?
Animalia
What phylum does Toxocara canis belong to?
Nematoda
What is the class of Toxocara canis?
Rhabditea
What order does Toxocara canis fall under?
Ascaridida
What family is Toxocara canis a part of?
Ascarididae