Toxocara canis

This article is about the organism. For the disease, see Toxocariasis.

Toxocara canis
Adult worms of the dog roundworm ("Toxocara canis") live in the small intestine of dogs and other canids
Adult worms of the dog roundworm (Toxocara canis) live in the gut of dogs, puppies and other canids
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Chromadorea
Order: Ascaridida
Family: Toxocaridae
Genus: Toxocara
Species:
T. canis
Binomial name
Toxocara canis
(Werner, 1782)

Toxocara canis (T. canis, also known as dog roundworm) is a worldwide-distributed helminth parasite that primarily infects dogs and other canids, but can also infect other animals including humans.[1][2] The name is derived from the Greek word "toxon," meaning bow or quiver, and the Latin word "caro," meaning flesh.[3] T. canis live in the small intestine of the definitive host. This parasite is very common in puppies and somewhat less common in adult dogs.[4] In adult dogs, infection is usually asymptomatic but may be characterized by diarrhea. By contrast, untreated infection with Toxocara canis can be fatal in puppies, causing diarrhea, vomiting, pneumonia, enlarged abdomen, flatulence, poor growth rate, and other complications.[1]

As paratenic hosts, a number of vertebrates, including humans, and some invertebrates can become infected. Humans are infected, like other paratenic hosts, by ingestion of embryonated T. canis eggs.[5] The disease (toxocariasis) caused by migrating T. canis larvae results in two syndromes: visceral larva migrans and ocular larva migrans.[6] Owing to transmission of the infection from the mother to her puppies, preventive anthelmintic treatment of newborn puppies is strongly recommended. Several anthelmintic drugs are effective against adult worms, for example fenbendazole, milbemycin, moxidectin, piperazine, pyrantel, and selamectin.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Roundworms in Small Animals - Digestive System". Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  2. ^ "CDC - Toxocariasis". www.cdc.gov. 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  3. ^ Bassert , J., & Thomas, J. (2014). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. (8th ed.). St. Louis , MO: Elsevier
  4. ^ CVPM, Sandy Walsh, RVT (2019-08-27). "Roundworms in Dogs". Today's Veterinary Practice. Retrieved 2023-08-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Gillespie SH (1988). "The epidemiology of Toxocara canis". Parasitol Today. 4 (6): 180–182. doi:10.1016/0169-4758(88)90156-1. PMID 15463080.
  6. ^ Despommier D (2003). "Toxocariasis: clinical aspects, epidemiology, medical ecology, and molecular aspects". Clin Microbiol Rev. 16 (2): 265–272. doi:10.1128/CMR.16.2.265-272.2003. PMC 153144. PMID 12692098.