Talk:Toxascaris leonina

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Scientific classificationKingdom: Animalia Phylum: Nematoda Class: Secernentea Order: Ascaridida Family: Ascarididae Genus: Toxascaris Species: leonina

Toxascaris leonina are roundworms that are a common parasite of dogs and cats and to the related. The life cycle is farely simple. Eggs are ingested and hatch in the small intestine. In the small intestine the juveniles penetrate the mucosa. After growth and molt, they return to the intestinal lumen and mature. The adult female worm lay their eggs which are passed in the feces. The eggs become infected after 3-6 days in the environment. Rodents are are the intermediate host of T. leonina. The rodent ingests the eggs and once the eggs are hatched, the larvae migrates through the tissues of the rodent. The definitive host is infected with this parasite when it eats an infected rodent. Humans are not infected with Toxascaris leonina.

The adult worms are usually 3-4 inches long and can be seen in the feces and vomit of the animal. Roundworms absorb the nutrients from the animal that can interfere with digestion and can also damage the lining of the intestine. Animals my not show any signs of roundworms at first but in more severe cases animals may experince thin, dull hair coats, and develop a belly appearance. Its important to deworm puppies at 6 weeks and to repeat treatment 2-4 weeks after first treatment.

References

Schmidt, Gerald D & Roberts,Larry S. 2005. Foundations of Parasitology (7th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill pp 439. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.204.173.74 (talk) 21:25, 11 May 2008 (UTC)