Worms

Whipworms have a thick head end and a whip-like tail. In the UK, whipworm only affects dogs, and lives in their large intestine.

The whipworm embeds their head into the intestine of the dog, feeding on blood and tissue fluid. This can be damaging for the intestine.

Whipworm eggs are within the environment, mainly passed in the faeces of infected dogs. Other dogs can then become infected when ingesting these eggs.

A high burden if whipworm can cause diarrhoea. In young dogs it can also cause anaemia and reduced growth.