166 CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



in man and "gid" in sheep. Only brief reference to 

 the morphology and life history is given here, the. 

 student being referred to the standard works on 

 parasitology for more detailed information. 



Spiroptera Sanguinolenta 



This parasite is a small, round worm that in- 

 habits the walls of the esophagus and stomach. The 

 intermediate host is the Blatta orientalis. This 

 nematode worm is readily recognized by its blood- 

 red color, and in addition to its normal habitat as 

 stated above, it may be found in the aorta, lungs, 

 and lymphatic glands. Its presence in the esophagus 

 and stomach forms tumors consisting of indurated 

 tissues in which there are chambers containing the 

 rolled-up worms. 



Symptoms. — Repeated vomiting and rapid emacia- 

 tion give evidence of infestation by this parasite. 

 Sometimes, too, there is rabiform convulsions. 



Ascaris Marginata 



The Ascaris marginata is a nematode worm, the 

 male from five to ten centimeters long, the female 

 from nine to twelve centimeters long. In color it is 

 white or reddish white. These worms are more 

 especially common in puppies, who may be infested 

 with them at three or four weeks old, but it is 

 at the age of three or four months that they are 

 most abundant. Their habitat is the small intestine 

 and frequently the stomach. 



Symptoms. — Unthrifty coat, emaciation, enlarged 

 abdomen (pot-belly), variable appetite, sometimes 

 convulsions, colics, and constipation or diarrhea re- 

 sult from infestation by this parasite. By collecting 

 in rolled-up masses the parasites sometimes' cause 

 complete intestinal obstruction, which is followed 

 by death. In one case in the author's practice the 



