Veterinary Parasitology: The Practical Veterinarian - CX.com

142 Parasites of the Gastrointestinal Tract I
• In the case of peracute hookworm disease, eggs will
not be found on fecal flotation because the profound
anemia occurs before adults begin laying eggs.
POSTMORTEM
• Adult worms are red, up to 2.8 cm in length; anterior
end is bent dorsally resulting in “hook”; found in
small intestine, especially the jejunum.
• Genera can be differentiated based on number of
teeth in the buccal cavity.
Treatment and Control
• See Tables 4–5 and 4–6 for anthelmintics; supportive
therapy is often the more immediate concern but do
not delay anthelmintic treatment.
• Dogs: to prevent transmammary transmission, infected
bitches can be treated with fenbendazole at 50 mg per
kg daily from day 40 of pregnancy through day 14 of lactation
or ivermectin at 0.5 mg per kg given 4–9 days
prior to whelping followed by a second treatment 10
days later; use concrete-floored kennels; remove feces at
least 2 times per week; keep floors clean and dry;
deworming schedule for pups is as for ascarids; be sure
to use an anthelmintic effective against migrating larvae;
prevent predation and scavenging whenever possible.
• Cats: avoid overcrowding; prevent predation and
scavenging whenever possible; deworming schedule
for kittens is as for ascarids.