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Whipworm Infection
A parasitic gastrointestinal disease caused by Trichuris vulpis that primarily affects dogs and occasionally cats.
Key Facts
- Adult whipworms measure 30-50 mm and embed their thin anterior ends into the intestinal mucosa to feed on blood.
- The parasite requires 74 to 87 days to mature from an ingested egg to a reproductive adult.
- Infection occurs when a host consumes embryonated eggs from contaminated soil, typically during grooming.
- Heavy infestations cause severe mucosal inflammation and persistent gastrointestinal distress.