Whip worm questions
Whip worm questions
HI Group, I need some help with Whipworms. I do foster care for dogs, and I recently got two Chi's that were in pretty bad shape. They were diagnosed with whipworms among other problems. They are being taken care of, and when they are cleared. They will be going to another foster home. But they left behind a few presents that will cause problems for me with any other foster dog I get in. I have been reading up on whipworms, but they don't really give you any idea of how to dispose of the infected poo. I let the Chi’s out to go potty in an outdoor kennel. So for the most part it is contained. But I did let them run the yard once, and they could have gone potty then. How do I disinfect a whole yard, to make certain my dogs don't get it? Both my permanent dogs are on Heartworm meds, would that stop them from catching Whipworms? The other problem is, the foster dogs I bring in. They won’t all be on heartworm meds, how do I make certain they are protected? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Whip worm questions
Were they truly diagnosed properly? How many fecal exams/floats were done on the infected dogs, this is important to confirm whipworm and to differentiate against hookworm. Remember, it can take up to 3 months for active infection and more than one fecal may be necessary to detect them. The infected dogs should remain on treatment until repeated fecals show mature worms (adult) are eradicated, and then on preventative treatment, because eggs and larvae may not respond to treatment until worms are in adult stage.
Not all heartworm medications target whipworms, so talk to your vet about the appropriate medications.
Unfortunately, the only way to eradicate whipworm from the environment is when you have concrete etc that can be cleaned with bleach etc. Whipworm can survive in the soil and environment for months to years, and the only way to eradicate it from the soil is to replace the topsoil completely, and to only use concrete kennels so that they can be disinfected regularly.
Since you are fostering, you have basically no way of knowing what dogs you bring in will already be infected or may be susceptible to infection from your premises (not to mention other infection/disease). Any infected dog you have will also reinfect the environment as long as they are shedding the worm in feces. All infected dogs should always be isolated from the other dogs, and no other dog should be allowed the same area where an infected dog has been unless it is a concrete kennel that has been disinfected properly, and once cleaned, allowed to air dry completely.
The foster home and/or adopters MUST be notified of the infection status of the dogs adopted out, so they can followup with treatment with their own vets and so they can take measures for protection/disinfection measures if they already have other dogs in the home.
Both whipworm and hookworm can be transmitted to humans as well, so always use gloves when handling feces and dispose of the gloves and feces in a plastic trash bag, seal and place in outdoor garbage where the dogs cannot get to. If you use a scooper for the yard, keep contained in one area away from the dogs, and wash with bleach regularly.
Not all heartworm medications target whipworms, so talk to your vet about the appropriate medications.
Unfortunately, the only way to eradicate whipworm from the environment is when you have concrete etc that can be cleaned with bleach etc. Whipworm can survive in the soil and environment for months to years, and the only way to eradicate it from the soil is to replace the topsoil completely, and to only use concrete kennels so that they can be disinfected regularly.
Since you are fostering, you have basically no way of knowing what dogs you bring in will already be infected or may be susceptible to infection from your premises (not to mention other infection/disease). Any infected dog you have will also reinfect the environment as long as they are shedding the worm in feces. All infected dogs should always be isolated from the other dogs, and no other dog should be allowed the same area where an infected dog has been unless it is a concrete kennel that has been disinfected properly, and once cleaned, allowed to air dry completely.
The foster home and/or adopters MUST be notified of the infection status of the dogs adopted out, so they can followup with treatment with their own vets and so they can take measures for protection/disinfection measures if they already have other dogs in the home.
Both whipworm and hookworm can be transmitted to humans as well, so always use gloves when handling feces and dispose of the gloves and feces in a plastic trash bag, seal and place in outdoor garbage where the dogs cannot get to. If you use a scooper for the yard, keep contained in one area away from the dogs, and wash with bleach regularly.
..........Traci
Re: Whip worm questions
Thanks for all that info. I will check with my vet to see exactly what our heartworm meds cover. As for the Chi girls, they were given over to a larger Chi rescue group. Because of their more serious health issues they were having. So I truly don’t know what test were done on them. But they are pretty thorough about that sort of thing. They told me the girls had Whipworm. Hence all the questions. I will move the kennel onto our cement flooring. So we can make certain we can keep it clean. As for the infected area, we are just going to have to remove all the dirt. Do you have any idea how deep we would have to go? I also read that you should put down lye, to dry out the area. That would kill off the eggs. Because they said they can be killed by drying them out. Do you think that would work? If so how would you get rid of the lye once it is done? And I would assume it is caustic to any animals coming in contact with it.
What would be the signs of having whipworms in humans? I know more and more questions. LOL But I do appreciate the help you have been in the past. So thanks again.
What would be the signs of having whipworms in humans? I know more and more questions. LOL But I do appreciate the help you have been in the past. So thanks again.
Re: Whip worm questions
The same as in dogs, itchy skin, the worms burrow into skin or open cuts/wounds, etc. You can google whipworms for vet sites explaining the symptoms in humans.
Don't use lye or anything else without knowing what you're doing. If you are going to continue fostering, you would do better to prepare in advance for all the "unexpected" things that are going to crop up, since you've already been witness to and had to deal with one such serious problem. Spend the time, money, etc necessary to make your premises safe for every animal that comes in. I would guess a few inches of topsoil would need to be removed, then replaced with new turf. A sod-cutter could do this or rent one or have it done professionally.
The rescue group may have a "handle" on treating the infected dogs, but they obviously don't have a "handle" on educating/warning/preparing their foster people, IMO. I can only hope, the other chi rescue group has been warned and is also taking measures to protect their dogs and their premises.
Don't use lye or anything else without knowing what you're doing. If you are going to continue fostering, you would do better to prepare in advance for all the "unexpected" things that are going to crop up, since you've already been witness to and had to deal with one such serious problem. Spend the time, money, etc necessary to make your premises safe for every animal that comes in. I would guess a few inches of topsoil would need to be removed, then replaced with new turf. A sod-cutter could do this or rent one or have it done professionally.
The rescue group may have a "handle" on treating the infected dogs, but they obviously don't have a "handle" on educating/warning/preparing their foster people, IMO. I can only hope, the other chi rescue group has been warned and is also taking measures to protect their dogs and their premises.
..........Traci
Re: Whip worm questions
I called my vet, and it turns out that my heartworm meds don’t cover them. So first off thank you so much for telling me to check into that. The other thing is now that there is a good chance of them having whipworms. They mentioned I could give them these worming meds. Penicure or Drontal, which one would you say works better? Please excuse the spelling, it more then likely is wrong. The Penicure is to be given once a day for 3 days. The Drontal is to be given just once. From what you said, they have to be treated more then just once. So I would think these meds wouldn’t work. Do you know what ones would.
As for the rescue group the chi girls went to. Before they send the dog to the foster home, they are always vetted, and all problems taken care of before they are put in foster homes. Now since the worming is going to have to be done over a few months time, the foster home will have to do the follow up. They are very good about letting their people know what is needed to be done. Now on the other hand I got these dogs directly from the owners, and they lied through their teeth about having them covered on meds, and flea and tic prevention. So it wasn’t surprising that we also found worms. I keep the foster dogs I get quarenteened for two weeks while we find out if they are ok to be out with other dogs. But didn’t consider the dirt being a problem to have the kennel on. I now will have to put it on the slab of cement we have.
I work for a trash company, and they wouldn’t mind me using their bobcat to get that top layer off and disposed of properly.
As for the rescue group the chi girls went to. Before they send the dog to the foster home, they are always vetted, and all problems taken care of before they are put in foster homes. Now since the worming is going to have to be done over a few months time, the foster home will have to do the follow up. They are very good about letting their people know what is needed to be done. Now on the other hand I got these dogs directly from the owners, and they lied through their teeth about having them covered on meds, and flea and tic prevention. So it wasn’t surprising that we also found worms. I keep the foster dogs I get quarenteened for two weeks while we find out if they are ok to be out with other dogs. But didn’t consider the dirt being a problem to have the kennel on. I now will have to put it on the slab of cement we have.
I work for a trash company, and they wouldn’t mind me using their bobcat to get that top layer off and disposed of properly.
Re: Whip worm questions
Why did your vet not ask you to bring fecal samples in for testing and advising you accordingly, per your dog's health records? What kind of vet leaves it up to the owner to simply choose when he knows the owner isn't informed?
Sheesh. Sorry, Frawri, I'm not directing this at you, I'm directing this at your vet, he should be more comitted to you and your dogs!!
It's panacur, or nemex. Either should be prescribed by your vet, and according to their weights, and health status.
Since it takes upwards of three or more months for evidence of active shedding once infected, it probably would be futile at this point to test your dogs right now, unless the infected dogs were at your home within the last three months. I certainly would of course get them tested in a proper time-frame however, since it sounds like the chi's were suffering miserably and from other things as well?
Sheesh. Sorry, Frawri, I'm not directing this at you, I'm directing this at your vet, he should be more comitted to you and your dogs!!
It's panacur, or nemex. Either should be prescribed by your vet, and according to their weights, and health status.
Since it takes upwards of three or more months for evidence of active shedding once infected, it probably would be futile at this point to test your dogs right now, unless the infected dogs were at your home within the last three months. I certainly would of course get them tested in a proper time-frame however, since it sounds like the chi's were suffering miserably and from other things as well?
..........Traci
Re: Whip worm questions
LOL I just called in, and they gave me the names of the stuff that I could use to get rid of the worms. They said they would call me back, after she got with my vet. To ask her about what would be best to get rid of the worms, and about how much per size my dogs were. So they are checking into it. I just thought I would ask, to see what one you thought would be the better one. I think vets get into using just one thing, and a lot of times it isn’t as good as some other meds out there. So I asked you to see if there was a better one out there. Plus the fact that they are giving me heartworm meds that don’t cover this type of worm. I was pretty certain they were covered on most of these types of worms. So it was a good thing to find out now, rather then too late. What heartworm med covers all these worms? Is there such a med?
Some one told me that their vet said the only way to truly get rid of the eggs would be to torch the spot the poo was found in. Would you think that would work?
Some one told me that their vet said the only way to truly get rid of the eggs would be to torch the spot the poo was found in. Would you think that would work?
Re: Whip worm questions
Interceptor and Sentinel are the only ones to cover heartworm as well as whipworms and hookworms (and roundworms). The new canine Advantage-Multi for Dogs claims to cover all too, but ask your vet about his experience with this product before considering (since it's relatively still new).
The problem with any of them is if you have collies or herding dogs or herding dog crosses, since they are sensitive to these ingredients and adverse reactions are a risk.
Your vet may instead choose to continue the current heartworm meds he's got your dogs on, and then only using treatment for the whipworms (like panacur, which I would suggest, but follow your vet's recommendation), which might be a better combination for your dogs' specific needs as they apply, health, environment, risk factor etc. Your vet is the only one who should be recommending which product or combination of products for your dogs' specific needs as they apply. This is why I always recommend you discuss these things with your vet, not me or this forum specifically. He's the only one who knows your dogs, how they do on their preventative medications, their risk factors, their environment and geographical location per those risk factors.
Here's a link to common preventatives for dogs regarding coverage of heartworm vs intestinal parasites. Each has their effectiveness vs specific target parasites, vs specific contraindications, etc.
Remember, testing is crucial and most beneficial before any meds of these sort are given. Also remember the application instructions are specific, particularly for topical applications, you must not allow your dogs oral contact/ingestion with these products (and do not let cats near them), and not allow any of the pets to groom each other until the application/fur is completely dry, etc (do not let cats groom products on dogs ever, as most dog products are toxic to cats).
I doubt torching the area is going to be helpful, since you don't know where all the dogs went. You'd have to torch the entire yard, and with that, you not only have a fire hazard, but slow growth for a new lawn.
The problem with any of them is if you have collies or herding dogs or herding dog crosses, since they are sensitive to these ingredients and adverse reactions are a risk.
Your vet may instead choose to continue the current heartworm meds he's got your dogs on, and then only using treatment for the whipworms (like panacur, which I would suggest, but follow your vet's recommendation), which might be a better combination for your dogs' specific needs as they apply, health, environment, risk factor etc. Your vet is the only one who should be recommending which product or combination of products for your dogs' specific needs as they apply. This is why I always recommend you discuss these things with your vet, not me or this forum specifically. He's the only one who knows your dogs, how they do on their preventative medications, their risk factors, their environment and geographical location per those risk factors.
Here's a link to common preventatives for dogs regarding coverage of heartworm vs intestinal parasites. Each has their effectiveness vs specific target parasites, vs specific contraindications, etc.
Remember, testing is crucial and most beneficial before any meds of these sort are given. Also remember the application instructions are specific, particularly for topical applications, you must not allow your dogs oral contact/ingestion with these products (and do not let cats near them), and not allow any of the pets to groom each other until the application/fur is completely dry, etc (do not let cats groom products on dogs ever, as most dog products are toxic to cats).
I doubt torching the area is going to be helpful, since you don't know where all the dogs went. You'd have to torch the entire yard, and with that, you not only have a fire hazard, but slow growth for a new lawn.
..........Traci
Re: Whip worm questions
The reason why I come on here and ask the questions I do. Is to see what can be done about what ever the question I am asking about. With more minds thinking on a topic, the better chance you are going to come up with something that works. I never treat my animals until I know from my vet that it wouldn’t hurt them. I take what I gain in knowledge off these boards, and I ask my vet. More times then not they are willing to look into it, and see what they can’t find out. My vet isn’t all knowing, but with the help of others. I can put to her questions that might help out the situation. A lot of the times they have never heard of the stuff I bring up. So it opens up a whole new avenue that we can go down. I am lucky that I have a vet that is willing to look into the things I suggest. Not that we always treat them with the things I bring into them. But that they are willing to at least listen and take into consideration. There just might be other ways that can help out.
As for testing for the worms before you try and get rid of them. The vets even suggest that you just treat for Whipworms, if you have a strong idea that your dogs might have it. Because they are so hard to diagnose that your dog does have them. And since we have had other dogs in the area, that have whipworms. I would consider that a good reason to think that my babies might have it too. Plus the fact that the worming meds are not dangerous and are pretty gentle. The vet said it wouldn’t hurt them to have the worming meds. I will defiantly talk to my vet though about the preventatives we have been talking about on here. Because Lilly is a Great Pyrenees, a heard dog. So I wouldn’t want to take any chances with her getting sick. Like I said I pass all this stuff through my vet before I give it to them.
As for testing for the worms before you try and get rid of them. The vets even suggest that you just treat for Whipworms, if you have a strong idea that your dogs might have it. Because they are so hard to diagnose that your dog does have them. And since we have had other dogs in the area, that have whipworms. I would consider that a good reason to think that my babies might have it too. Plus the fact that the worming meds are not dangerous and are pretty gentle. The vet said it wouldn’t hurt them to have the worming meds. I will defiantly talk to my vet though about the preventatives we have been talking about on here. Because Lilly is a Great Pyrenees, a heard dog. So I wouldn’t want to take any chances with her getting sick. Like I said I pass all this stuff through my vet before I give it to them.
Re: Whip worm questions
I just spoke to someone from bayer, the company that has the Advantage-Multi for dogs. I asked her about the adverse reactions my dog might have to the product. And she felt that because she wasn't a Collie, that it shouldn't hurt her. But I don't want to give her it unless I know for certain. Who else can I go to ask these questions? My vet said they don't have the product, so they wouldn't know anything really about it.