Dogs have whip worms. Does that mean my chickens do too?

[DangerChickenHouse]

I have never heard of whip worms until my 13 and 11 year old dogs became infested. I have no idea where they could have gotten them unless it was from eating chicken poop. I have never wormed my chickens. Should I?

 

[Bunnylady]

Most parasites are host-specific, meaning that there are only a few kinds of animals (or maybe just one) that can be infested by them. Whipworms are mainly seen in dogs, though occasionally people can get them. The eggs are passed out of the dog's body in its feces, and can persist in the soil for a long time; there is no need for an animal to eat the feces directly to pick up the eggs. I haven't seen anything to suggest that chickens play any role at all in the canine whipworm life cycle. If your dogs have never had whipworms before, is there any chance that they have been in an area where another dog has been, or perhaps wild canids (foxes, maybe)?

 

[Tigertrea]

Whip worm is species specific. BUT, it is very, very difficult to get rid of. Talk to your vet and get recommendations on how to deal with it in your dog and the environment.

I had a fight with whips a few years ago with my dogs. I only found it in one but, I treated everyone (11 at the time). We sanitized the kennel every month or so but, our dog yard is just too big to do. We wound up treating them monthly with Interceptor/Sentinal for 24 months straight. (we usually only do heatworm preventive for 6 months a year here).

 

[DangerChickenHouse]

I think I am going to have to treat my dogs with Inceptor too. They are too old to have to deal with worms.

Thanks guys! I'm glad my chickens won't get whip worms!