Stomach Worms

STOMACH WORM OF THE CAT AND DOG (PHYSALOPTERA SPP.)

Leaving the esophagus, we now travel downward to the stomach, where Physaloptera spp. infest dogs that have ingested infected intermediate hosts such as beetles, cockroaches and crickets or have eaten paratenic hosts such as snakes, frogs or mice. There spiruroid nematodes can be found nearly worldwide.

As with the esophageal worm, L3 larvae are ingested by the dog. Unlike the esophageal worm, they do not migrate extensively and are found only in the stomach and duodenum (the short, wide portion of the small intestine that joins the stomach at the pyloric valve).

Adult worms attaching to the stomach mucosa can cause ulceration, hemorrhage and catarrhal gastroenteritis. The most common signs are loss of appetite and bloody, mucous vomit.

Treatment includes dichlorvos, benzimidazoles and ivermectin.

Submitted by Joy - excerpts from Dog World Magazine

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