Whipworm

=Whipworm = =__Scientific Name: __// Trichuris vulpis //=

__Size: __ 30 to 50 mm in length
==__Description of Habitat:__ Whipworms live in the large intestine and cecum (a small 'dead-end' portion of intestine lying at the junction of the small intestine and large intestine). == ==__Living Requirements: __They must be able to burryh their mouths into the intestinal wall and feed on the animal's blood. The eggs must sit in the soil for atleast a month to be capable of causing an infection. Survives better in a dog versus a human. == ==__Life Cycle:__ A dog or cat becomes infected by ingesting food or water that is contaminated with whipworm eggs. The eggs are swallowed, hatch, and in a little less than three months, the larvae mature into adults in the cecum and large intestine where they burrow their mouths into the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Adult worms lay eggs that are then passed into the feces. The eggs must remain in the soil for about a month to mature and be capable of causing infection. == ==__Male/Female ____Differences:__ The female T. trichiura produces 2,000–10,000 single celled eggs per day. Whipworms go through sexual and asexual stages. The males have coiled tails, and the females have straight tails. == ==__Interesting Facts: __ Some symptoms of this worm in dogs may include diarrhea, anemia, and dehydration. Whipworms are hard to detect at times, because the numbers of eggs shed are low, and they are shed in waves. ==

__Human ____Impact:__ There have been reports of people being infected with
==T. vulpis. Humans are much more often infected with T. trichiura, the human whipworm. ==