The Fantastical World of Parasites: The Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Common Wildlife Parasites

Table of Contents

Tips and General Information ………………………………………………. 3 Coccidia ……………………………………………………………………….. 4 Gapeworm (Syngamus trachea)……………………………………………. 8 Hookworm (Strongyle) ……………………………………………………... 11 Roundworm (Ascarid) ……………………………………………………… 14 Tapeworm (Cestode)........................................................................... 20 Whipworm (Trichuris vulpis) and Capillaria ……………………………... 23 Ectoparasites ……………………………………………………………….. 26 Slides with Multiple Parasites …………………………………………….. 33 Common Artifacts that Sometimes Resemble Parasite Eggs …………. 41

TIPS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

● Use fresh stool samples (preferably no more than a few hours old), as some eggs may develop into more advanced stages making accurate identification difficult.

● Egg Colour: Hookworm eggs and Coccidia oocysts are colourless, whereas Roundworm (Ascaris), Whipworm and Trichuris eggs are typically yellow or brown.

● Always pay attention to egg characteristics such as hooklets (Tapeworm), bipolar plugs (Capillaria and Whipworm) and operculum (Hookworm).

● Remember that all living things have parasites. If an otherwise healthy patient has a light infection, he or she may not require treatment. Patients that are immunocompromised, have heavy infections or are experiencing weight loss/diarrhea should probably be treated. Use your best judgement.

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Species Affected: Mammals and birds - very common in Pigeons.

Note: Pigeons with heavy infections usually have very loose green stool.

COCCIDIA

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Very Heavy Infection

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Coccidia Oocysts (Eimeria)

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Coccidia Oocysts (Eimeria)

GAPEWORM (Syngamus trachea)

Species Affected: Birds - common in Robins and Starlings. Infections are more severe in small birds and juveniles.Note: Tiny red worms can often be seen in the tracheae of infected birds.

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Gapeworm Larvae (Syngamus trachea)

Gapeworm Eggs (Syngamus trachea)

GapewormLarvae (Syngamus trachea)

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Gapeworm Eggs (Syngamus trachea)

Gapeworm Larvae (Syngamus trachea)

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HOOKWORM (Strongyle)

Species Affected: Mammals - birds and insects are accidental hosts. Zoonotic*

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Hookworm Egg (Strongyle)

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Operculum

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Hookworm Egg (Strongyle)

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ROUNDWORM (Ascarid)

Species Affected: All - commonly found in raccoons, foxes and coyotes.Zoonotic*Note: Ascaris eggs found in fresh stool are not infectious. Once passed in the stool, it takes between 1-4 weeks (depending on the species) for the fertile eggs to embryonate and become infectious. The eggs are very resistant to external environmental conditions and can remain viable in the environment for months to years.

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Roundworm Egg(Toxocara canis)

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Roundworm Egg (Toxascaris leonina)

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Raccoon Roundworm Egg(Baylisascaris procyonis)

*Note: Human infections of Raccoon Roundworm are very rare but can be fatal.

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Roundworm Egg (Ascaridia galli)

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Roundworm Egg

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TAPEWORM (Cestode)Species Affected: All Some species are *zoonoticNote: Worm segments can often be seen in the stool of infected patients (except in birds).

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Tapeworm Egg(Hymenolepis diminuta)

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Hooklets

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Tapeworm Eggs

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Hooklets

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WHIPWORM (Trichuris vulpis) and CAPILLARIA

Species Affected: Whipworm typically affects mammals (especially foxes and coyotes) and Capillaria can also be found in mammals but is of greatest importance in birds.Whipworm is *zoonoticNote: Capillaria and Whipworm eggs look very similar. Whipworm eggs have curved sides and a smooth surface, while the sides of Capillaria eggs are more parallel and have a rough surface.

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Capillaria Eggs

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Plugs

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Whipworm Egg (Trichuris vulpis)

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Plugs

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Ectoparasites

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Mange Mite (Sarcoptes scabiei)

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Mange Mite (Sarcoptes scabiei)

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Mange Mite Egg (Sarcoptes scabiei)

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Feather Mite Eggs

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Feather Mite Egg

Feather Mite

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Mite

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Slides with Multiple Parasites

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Tapeworm Eggs

Coccidia Oocysts(Eimeria)

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Tapeworm Egg Gapeworm Eggs (Syngamus Trachea)

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Capillaria Egg Gapeworm Eggs (Syngamus Trachea)

Hookworm Egg (Strongyle)

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Gapeworm Larvae(Syngamus Trachea)

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Gapeworm Larvae (Syngamus Trachea)

Capillaria Egg

Gapeworm Egg (Syngamus Trachea)

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Feather Mite Egg

Tapeworm Eggs

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Whipworm Egg(Trichuris vulpis)

Roundworm Egg

Roundworm Eggs(Toxascaris leonina)

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Mange Mite(Sarcoptes scabiei)

Tapeworm Egg

Roundworm Eggs (Toxascaris leonina)

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Common Artifacts that sometimes Resemble Parasite Eggs

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Air Bubbles

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Debris

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Pollen Spore

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Roundworm Eggs (Toxocara Canis)

Debris

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