Feces Evaluation

Question 1

Parasite

Answer 1

An organism that lives in or on another host organism

Question 2

Parasitology

Answer 2

The study of parasites and their relationships to host

Question 3

Endoparasite

Answer 3

Parasite that infects internal organ(s) including: stomach, intestines, heart, lung, kidney, liver, and muscle

Question 4

Ectoparasite

Answer 4

Parasite that infects host in or on the skin

Question 5

Ova

Answer 5

Egg

Question 6

Larva

Answer 6

Immature parasite form, there may be several larval stages in the development of parasite

Question 7

Cyst

Answer 7

Dormant phase of parasite, usually very resistant to heat, drying, etc.

Question 8

Prepatent Period

Answer 8

Time period between infection with parasite and appearance of diagnostic parameter (i.e. ova in feces)

Question 9

Zoonoses

Answer 9

An infection that can be transmitted between animals and people

Question 10

Scientific names

Answer 10

A specific animal/plant has two parts to its name (Genus and Species)

Question 11

Giardia
What is it?

Answer 11

Unicellar flagellate parasite important
in WA

Question 12

How is giardia transferred?

Answer 12

Direct consumption of contaminated
water or soil

Question 13

Effects giardia has?

Answer 13

-No signs to severe diarrhea
-Possible zoonoses (?)

Question 14

How is giardia diagnosed?

Answer 14

-Fecal centrifugation (Zinc), or ELISA test
-Direct smear of fresh (<30 min) fluid feces

Question 15

What is toxoplasma?

Answer 15

Unicellar parasite of cats

Question 16

How is toxoplasma transferred?

Answer 16

-Direct consumption of contaminated soil
-Indirect by consumption of transport host
40% of cats are seropositive, but only 1% are shedding

Question 17

Effect of toxoplasma?

Answer 17

-No signs to severe systemic disease (eyes & brain of cats)
-Zoonotic risk to pregnant women & immunocompromised!!
(30-40% of US humans are seropositive)

Question 18

How is toxoplasma diagnosed?

Answer 18

Fecal float
Serology

Question 19

The most common way that humans acquire Toxoplasma infection is…

Answer 19

Handling raw meat or vegetables!

Question 20

What are ascarids?

Answer 20

Roundworms of the small intestine

Question 21

How are ascarids (roundworms) transmitted?

Answer 21

-Direct from environment
-Transmammary (milk) and in utero (Virtually all puppies are born with this parasite)
-Indirect, transport host (ie rodent)

Question 22

How many eggs can a single ascarid adult lay in one day?

Answer 22

85,000

Question 23

Effects of ascarids (roundworm)?

Answer 23

-Diarrhea, bloating, malabsorption, cough, possible death in neonates (newborns)
-May be asymptomatic

Question 24

How to prevent ascarids?
(roundworm)

Answer 24

-Good Hygiene
-Deworm dogs & cats
-Cover sandboxes
Potential Zoonoses!!

Question 25

What is Ancyclostoma (hookworm)?

Answer 25

-Hemorrhagic enteritis, anemia, pneumonia, and even death -Found throughout a range of dogs in the US and Canada

Question 26

How is ancyclostoma (hookworm) transmitted?

Answer 26

-Infect dogs by skin penetration +Can use mammalian intermediate hosts -Transmammary (milk) transmission -Migrate through lungs, coughed up & swallowed -Can be zoonotic

Question 27

How is anacylostoma (hookworm) diagnosed?

Answer 27

Anemia associated with eggs in feces

Question 28

What is tapeworm (Dipylidium canium)?

Answer 28

-Asymptomatic flea tapeworm -Throughout US and Canada -Common where fleas are common (60% infection rate in dogs and cats)

Question 29

How is tapeworm transmitted?

Answer 29

Ingestion of flea containing cyst

Question 30

How is tapeworm diagnosed?

Answer 30

-Segments or egg packets in feces -Segments on perineum (“grains of rice”)

Question 31

Preventing Endoparasites

Answer 31

-Conduct fecal exam 2-4x during first year and then 1-2x/year thereafter +Treat any parasites found with appropriate Rx +No one medication is effective against all -Feed pets cooked food and fresh water -Prevent hunting by pets -Pick up feces frequently from yard -Do not take puppies to public places (beach or school yards) -Give puppies & kittens Rx for Nematodes Age 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks (from DVM is ideal)

Question 32

Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA)

Answer 32

Tests to detect fecal stages of parasites

Question 33

Enzyme ­Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA)

Answer 33

Tests to detect fecal parasite antigens (proteins)

Question 34

How many grams do you need for a fecal float?

Answer 34

At least 1-2 grams

Question 35

Which parasites can infect puppies/kittens through the mother's milk (transmammary)?

Answer 35

Hookworms and Roundworms

Question 36

True or False The Prepatent Period of a parasite is the time between the host acquiring the infection and the veterinary team's ability to detect the infection.

Answer 36

True