Common Parasites 27 



testines of hogs. They vary in length from one-fourth to three- 

 fourths of an inch and are pointed at both ends. 



Life History. The eggs are passed out with the manure and con- 

 taminate food and water supplies. When taken into the stomach 

 the eggs are soon hatched and the young worms migrate to the 

 large intestines where they soon reach maturity. 



Treatment. Preventive measures and treatment for removal are 

 the same as those recommended for the large round worm. 



Kidney Worms (Stephanurus dentatum. Schlerostoma pinguicola). 



This is a common parasite of southern hogs. It inhabits the leaf 

 fat and tissues around the kidneys and is occasionally found in the 

 pelvis of the kidney and in rare instances in the substance of the 

 kidney. When present in excessively large numbers they may mi- 

 grate into the tissues of the abdominal wall and into the liver. The 

 worms form cysts in which they may be found surrounded by 

 debris. Their presence causes inflammation which affects the vi- 

 tality of the animal and destroys the fat and flesh for food pur- 

 poses. 



The kidney worm is grey or mottled in color, 1 to 1 ^ inches in 

 length and rather thick and the texture of the body firm. 



Life History. The life history of this parasite is not definitely 

 known but it is presumed that the worms, which infest the kidney 

 itself, produce eggs which pass out with the urine and contaminate 

 food and water. Too, it is believed that infestation occurs through 

 the digestive system and that the young worms migrate through 

 the tissues to the location in the vicinity of the kidneys. Undoubt- 

 edly the custom of feeding hogs on offal from slaughtering estab- 

 lishments is in some degree responsible for infestation with this 

 and many other parasites and infectious diseases. Failure to prop- 

 erly dispose of carcasses of hogs that die on the farm and range 

 by burning or deep burial is also a factor of great importance. 



Symptoms. Kidney worms may be present in considerable num- 

 bers without causing noticeable symptoms. It is seldom that in- 

 festation is recognized in the living animal. Many persons believe 

 that the worms are responsible for cases of paralysis of the hind 

 parts but post-mortem findings in such cases do not bear out the 

 belief as many such cases are found on post-mortem examination 

 to be free of infestation. Undoubtedly the presence of worms in 

 the kidney will produce inflammation of the kidneys and in this 

 way they may be the direct cause of the death of the animal. 



Treatment. Sanitation in the feed lots and pastures and treat- 

 ment of hogs with remedies recommended for internal worms are 

 all that can be advised. Cauterizing the skin of the back with 

 hot iron or chemicals is valueless and is not recommended. Cer- 

 tainly, any one who is familiar with the location of the parasites 

 will understand that it is impossible to reach them by this means 

 or by means of medicines administered by mouth. All that can be 



