NEMATODA 205 



Prognosis.— Severe infestation in young animals is very 

 unfavorable. Ascariasis causes greater loss among puppies 

 and kittens than any other disease. Entire litters often 

 succumb at four to eight weeks of age, and in some kennels 

 it is almost impossible to rear young animals due to this 

 parasite. Chicks and young birds usually succumb; while 

 older birds do not die, they grow emaciated and droopy and 

 become an easy prey for other diseases. 



Treatment.— Medical.— It is advisable to administer a 

 vermicide to all puppies and kittens when three to five 

 weeks of age, and repeat every two to four weeks until several 

 months old. Treatment should be given as soon as symp- 

 toms appear. Santonin (puppies, 0.016; small dogs, 0.05-0.2; 

 large dogs, 0.2-0.5; kittens, 0.008-0.025; cats, 0.06-0.2) is the 

 most efficient agent used to remove the ascaridse. It is best 

 administered in small doses, repeated for three or four days, 

 than in a single, large dose. This is especially true for all 

 young animals, as they are very susceptible to the toxic 

 action of this drug. Older animals are rarely affected even 

 with enormous doses. Santonin may be administered in 

 castor oil in sufficient amount to produce catharsis, or the 

 oil may be given an hour or two later. Tablets of santonin 

 and calomel of various proportions may be had and are 

 convenient to use with the food. Other anthelmintics are 

 employed with good results, such as areca nut powder (dogs, 

 0.5-4.0; cats, 0.1-2.0) which is easily given with milk; ben- 

 zine (1.0-7.0 in oil) ; kamala (2.0-8.0). Birds may be treated 

 with areca nut powder (chickens 3.0, pigeons 1.0 each), 

 mixed with moist ground feed. Oil of anise (0.4-0.8) or 

 benzine (0.2-0.6) in castor oil has been used with good 

 results. 



Prevention.— In order to rear young animals free from 

 these parasites energetic measures must be directed toward 

 the removal of all ascaridse from the older animals and a 

 thorough disinfection of all the premises to which they have 

 access. This is best done in the early winter, the weather 

 conditions at this time being unfavorable to their develop- 

 ment. Frequent examinations of the feces should be made 

 and treatment applied when necessary. All additions to 



