Whipworms are whip-shaped parasites that upon entry into a dog's gastrointestinal tract usually attach to the dog's large intestine and cecum. The cecum is a blind pouch extending off the large intestine that has its own valve and can be compared to the appendix in humans. Dogs can get whipworms by eating dirt that contains the infective eggs of the adult parasite.
Whipworms are a dangerous parasite because they can cause intestinal inflammation, bleeding, and sometimes the loss of protein. Puppies with heavy infections can become seriously ill. Occasionally in severe cases of infestation, whipworms can alter the dog's potassium and sodium electrolytes causing central nervous system problems such as seizures.
