BLADDER WORM IN PETS

Bladder worm in pets are Capillaria felis cati and Capillaria plica. Eggs of C. felis cati may sometimes be found in urine-contaminated feces.

Its eggs can easily be confused with those of lungworms or whipworms. Capillaria felis cati and Capillaria plica are rare parasites of cats and dogs and bladder worms rarely cause disease.

The life cycle of the bladder worm :
The life cycle of this parasite may be direct, or it may involve the earthworm as an intermediate host. Adult worms lay eggs in the urinary bladder and these are passed through the urine. The larvae develop in the environment and are somehow ingested, either because of urine contamination of food or water, or through eating infested earthworms. The larvae apparently migrate from the digestive system to the urinary bladder where they develop into adults.

The signs of infestation with the bladder worm :
Bladder worms rarely cause disease. If disease does occur, the signs are that of a urinary bladder infection e.g.; frequent and painful urination.

Diagnosa of bladder worm :
Diagnosis is generally through finding eggs in the urine. As mentioned above, the eggs must be distinguished from those of whipworms and the Capillaria species that infest the lung. The adult worms can be seen and removed if the bladder is surgically opened.

The body size of bladder worm :
The adult female worms are almost 2½ inches long.
The males are half that size adult female.

Treatment of bladder worm :
Although no approved treatment is available, an oral dose of 0.1 mg/lb. of ivermectin has been suggested.

The best methods of prevention and control bladder worm :
The eggs of Capillaria are very susceptible to drying. At present, the best control is through good sanitation and elimination of earthworm habitat in kennel situations. It is suggested that in kennel situations, pets be kept on impervious surfaces.

Posted in: veterinary,worm