Endoscopic Recognition and Management of Trichuris vulpis Induced Colitis in Three Dogs: A Case Report

Abstract

Trichuris vulpis is a relatively common cause of canine large bowel disease leading to chronic diarrhea. Faecal analysis is negative most of the times due to long prepatent period and eggs may be shed intermittently. This case study done at Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from 2014 to 2018 describes the usefulness of endoscopy in diagnosing the colitis due to presence of T. vulpis worms. Three dogs presented with haematochezia and tenesmus were subjected to detailed clinical examination. As the faecal examination was negative and there was no improvement on initial therapy endoscopy was performed. Numerous T. vulpis whip-worms were found attached to the colon mucosa on endoscopic examination. Multiple bleeding ulcerated sites were observed throughout the colon. The dog was treated with oral febental, praziquantal and pyrantal combination tablets (Drontal Plus). Clinical improvement was observed within a week.

Introduction

Trichuris vulpis infections are usually asymptomatic, but the presence of high worm burdens in the large bowel may cause the occurrence of haemorrhagic colitis due to the continuous damage to the mucosa as the head of the worm is embedded into the mucosa and moves in search of blood and fluid (1). As the faecal examination is negative in most of the Trichuris vulpis infections Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy can be used for direct visualising (2).

This case study describes the usefulness of endoscopy in diagnosing the colitis due to presence of worms.

Case Reports

The following dogs were brought to the Small Animal Outpatient Unit of Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India during the year 2014 to 2018 with predominately lower gastrointestinal signs.

Dog 1: A one year old male German shepherd weighing 23 kg was brought with the history of hematochezia, tenesmus after defecation, intermittent vomiting and diarrhoea for past 15 days. Faeces were scanty, mucoid mixed with blood. It was treated by field vet with antibiotics with no improvement in the condition.

Dog 2: A two year old male Doberman weighing 28 kg had tenesmus and haematochezia for past one month.

Dog 3: A one year old female German shepherd weighing 20 kg was presented with haematochezia and tenesmus.

All the three dogs were active and alert on the day of presentation and the physical examination revealed normal vital signs. Haematological investigation revealed anaemia and Serum biochemistry had no remarkable changes. Faecal examination by floatation technique was negative for parasites. Since there was no marked improvement with initial treatment with metronidazole (15 mg/kg body weight), pantaprazole (1 mg /kg body weight) and fluid therapy, the dogs were referred for endoscopic investigation. Since the dogs were client owned, prior written consent from the owners were obtained for the performance of endoscopic procedures.

Colonoscopy was performed with a flexible video endoscope under general anaesthesia. The dogs were fasted for 36 to 48 hours and received enemas before the procedure (3). Local Ethics Committee approved the study.

On endoscopic visualisation numerous T. vulpis whipworms were found attached to the colon mucosa (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1:

Trichuris vulpis worms

Multiple bleeding ulcerated sites were observed throughout the colon (Fig. 2). The dogs were treated with oral febental, praziquantal and pyrantal combination tablets (Drontal Plus®).

Fig. 2:

Trichuris vulpis worms attached to mucosa and bleeding ulceration in colon

The dosage was repeated again after three weeks. Along with deworming treatment for colitis was done with metronidazole, pantaprazole and prednisolone (1 mg/kg body weight). Clinical improvement was observed within a week. Bleeding reduced and dogs defecated normally. Treatment for colitis was continued for four weeks for healing of colon mucosa.

Discussion

T. vulpis (Whipworm), a parasite of the cecum and colon is a common cause of colitis like signs in dogs. In case of light infections, the worms are restricted to the cecum, but as the parasite number increases, worms spread more distally into the colon.

Whipworm infestation usually presents no clinical signs. The factors such as number and physical presence of worms, degree of inflammation produced by the worms, level of anemia or hypoproteinemia contribute to the development of clinical signs (4). In heavy infections episodes of diarrhoea with large amounts of mucus and blood on the faeces alternating with periods of voiding normal faeces are seen. Abdominal pain, vomiting, inappetence, weight loss and anaemia can also be observed (5). Definitive diagnosis of whip-worm infection is done by identification of the characteristic brown coloured, bipolar operculated barrel shaped ova. Floatation methods are optimal for the concentration and detection of eggs in faeces (6). However, it was interesting to observe in the present case study that three dogs which were negative to faecal examination for any parasites were found to have T. vulpis infestation only after endoscopy. Faecal analysis is negative most of the times due to the long prepatent period and eggs may be shed intermittently (7). Further, whip-worms produce eggs in low numbers. This may lead to a high risk of missed diagnosis (8). It is estimated that up to 50 percent dogs with whipworm infestation have ova negative or occult infections (8).

The diagnosis can be done by direct colonoscopic observation of adult worms in bowel lumen (9). A flexible endoscope allows the entire colon to be inspected for worms, hyperaemia, thickening, serrations, folds and ulcers. Since most lesions are in the descending colon and rectum a much cheaper rigid endoscope is generally adequate. In our study, the worms were found attached to entire wall and there were ulcerations due to the attachment. The male and female whipworms can be found with their anterior thin, whip-like stichosome esophageal portion of the body threaded within the surface epithelium of the cecum or colon wall. This tunneling of the thin anterior portion of the adult worm into the epithelium produces localized inflammation, mucosal hyperplasia, and in some cases focal granulomatous reactions (10).

In general, the canine whipworm is a ubiquitous parasite and has zoonotic potential (8). Hence proper treatment and management is necessary. A combination of oral praziquantel, febantel and pyrantel pamoate (@25 mg/kg febantel once) or fenbendazole (@50 mg/kg q24 h for three days) can be used for treating whipworm infestation (11,12). Treatment should be repeated after three weeks and again after three months as anthelminthic administration will remove the adult worms and larvae will still develop into adult parasites and re-establish infestation (13). Further, frequent disposal of faeces will help reduce the risk of reinfection.

Conclusion

Colonoscopy is generally a very safe and effective tool in the diagnosis of T. vulpis infection when fecal analysis result is negative.

Negative faecal results of diarrhoeic dog do not exclude infection and therefore other diagnostic modalities such as colonoscopy should be used when there is persistent gastrointestestinal signs and no response to antibiotic therapy. Colonoscopy is a cheap and easy method which can be employed in diagnosis of T. induced colitis.