Gastrointestinal
Whipworm (Trichuris vulpis)
RoutineOverview
Lives in the large intestine and causes a stubborn, relapsing, mucus- and blood-streaked diarrhoea that is often mistaken for colitis or food intolerance and treated for months as such. Two things make it awkward: the eggs are shed intermittently, so a single negative faecal test does not rule it out, and the eggs are exceptionally tough and survive in soil for years, which means a contaminated yard reinfects the dog indefinitely. It is worth considering in any dog with chronic large-bowel signs that has not responded to the obvious. Treatment is an anthelmintic class chosen by the vet, usually repeated, alongside environmental control.
What you would notice
- Chronic, intermittent large-bowel diarrhoea, often with fresh blood or mucus
- Straining to pass stool
- Gradual weight loss in long-standing cases
- Frequently no signs in light infections
Non-prescriptive. This entry deliberately does NOT name specific drugs,
doses, routes, or durations. Treatment decisions rest with a licensed veterinarian who
has examined your dog and considered its history.
Draft — vet review pending. This entry has not yet been signed off by a registered veterinarian.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com)
- MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com)
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