Parasitology Flashcards
(25 cards)
What are cestodes?
Tapeworms
What are the 3 types of cestodes (tapeworms)?
Dipylidium
Taenia
Echinococcus
Where are adult tapeworms found?
Small intestine
What is the intermediate host for dipylidium?
Flea and chewing louse in dogs
How does dipylidium infection occur?
When the pet ingests infected fleas during grooming.
How is dipylidium normally diagnosed?
Rice shaped grains in the faeces
How are cats/dogs infected with taenia?
By eating infected raw meat
What is echinococcus?
A zoonotic pathogen spread from sheep to dogs.
What are cestocides?
Drugs which only kill tapeworms.
What is an anthelmintic?
A product which treats infections caused by parasitic worms.
Why are there no prophylactic treatments for cestode infections?
It is much harder to kill immature cestodes, therefore regular treatment will remove duct worms before they begin egg laying.
What are nematodes?
Roundworms
What are examples of roundworms (nemtodes)?
Toxocara canis
Toxocara cati
Toxocaris leonina
What endoparasite often causes disease in young puppies?
Toxocara canis
How are puppies infected with Toxocara canis?
Before birth from the mother (across the placenta).
What are the symptoms of Toxocara canis in puppies?
Distended belly
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
What product kills migrating toxocara canis larvae?
Fenbendazole
What is visceral larva migrans?
When infective eggs migrate which can lead to blindness.
Where is heartworm endemic?
South of France (warmer climates)
How is lungworm usually acquired in foxes and dogs?
Eating infected slugs
Where do lungworms live?
Pulmonary artery
How are nematodes diagnosed?
Faecal analysis
What is cryptosporidium?
A protozoan parasite which resides in the small intestine.
