292 PARASITES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



The eggs are oval, 74-84 microns in length bj^ 48-54 microns in 

 breadth. 



Parasitic in the small intestine of the dog and cat. 



2. Uncinaria stenocephala (Dochmius stenocephalus ; Ankylosto- 

 mum stenocephalum). Strongylinae (p. 280). — The body is very 

 slender, and the anterior extremity is much narrower than in the pre- 

 ceding species, being somewhat attenuated. The buccal 

 /J capsule is conical and has two pairs of small teeth on the 

 H ventral side. The bursa of the male is similar to that of the 

 ■ preceding species. The vulva of the female is situated near 

 , the posterior third of the body. 



Fig. 156— The female is 8-10 mm. (5/16-3/8 of an inch) in length; 

 Ankyiostoma male, 6-8 mm. (1/4-5/16 of an inch). 



maie"atright, ^he eggs are oval, 63-76 microns in length by 32-38 

 female at left microns in breadth. 



(drawn from Parasitic in the small intestine of the dog. There is no 

 pecimens . authentic report of its occurrence in this country. 



Occurrence and Development. — Ankylostomiasis (dochmiasis; un- 

 cinariasis) is a severe affection of dogs caused by the presence of Ankyio- 

 stoma canina. The condition is analogous to ankylostomiasis or hook- 

 worm disease of man, caused by the species Ankyiostoma duodenale. 



The worms fix themselves to the mucosa of the small intestine where 

 they extract blood. Hunting dogs confined in kennels are those which 

 most often suffer, especially if their quarters are damp. Cats are not 

 often affected. 



The development of the parasite is rapid. The eggs are segmented 

 within the body of the female and, when expelled to moist earth, develop 

 embryos in three to six days. These become encysted and, probably 

 -through the medium of contaminated water, reach the intestine of the 

 dog where they mature. 



Post-morten Appearance. — Necropsies upon dogs which have died 

 in the advanced stages of ankylostomiasis show the alterations of 

 ansemia and cachexia. The mucosa of the small intestine is thickened 

 and marked by numerous hemorrhagic areas. Small ulcerations are 

 present as a result of the irritation from the attachment of the worms, 

 and the intestinal contents may be hemorrhagic. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms are those of ansemia, debility, and 

 emaciation. There is depression and indifference, and hunting dogs 

 lose their zest. The skin becomes dry and scaly and the coat harsh 

 and lusterless. The legs swell intermittently at first, later the edema 

 is greater in extent and becomes permanent. There is a muco-purulent 

 discharge from the nostrils and this may be streaked with blood. Later 

 there may be attacks of nasal hemorrhage. There is at first constipation, 

 later a dysenteric diarrhea. Emaciation and general debility progress, 



