Alveococcosis

Alveococcosis is a disease caused by a type of tapeworm. The disease occurs when the larva of the worm, the alveococcus, is ingested by an animal. Animals usually contract alveococcosis by eating rodents infected with worm larvae.

The body of the worm consists of a head, neck, and segments. On the head are four suction cups and about half a dozen chitinous hooks. With the help of these organs, the worm is securely attached to the organs of the animal or person.

Signs of alveococcosis

Alveococcosis refers to severe diseases. It is characterised by the following distinctive signs:

severe course of the disease;

even medication is often ineffective;

alveococci can live not only inside the gastrointestinal tract, but also in other internal organs;

the disease can also affect the brain;

the disease is often fatal.

Causes of occurrence

During the life cycle, alveococcus needs to change two hosts. The intermediate host is usually some small animal, such as a mouse. The larvae of the worm can remain invasive for many months under the most unfavourable conditions. Invasive alveococcus larvae have been found in the bodies of wild animals that have been buried under snow all winter.

As mentioned above, alveococcus larvae are ingested by pets when they eat various small animals, mainly rodents. However, you can also get infected when walking in the forest, playing with infected animals, eating berries. Alveococcus is a highly contagious type of tapeworm.

Symptoms of alveococcosis

Symptoms of alveococcus differ significantly at different stages of the disease, so it makes sense to consider them step by step.

In the early stages, alveococcus manifests itself in weakness, appetite disturbance, pain in the trunk. The presence of the last symptom in the animal can be indicated by characteristic behaviour. Sometimes the disease can be detected by palpating an alveococcal node on the animal's body. However, in most cases the node is located deep in the torso, so it is not possible to detect it at home.

At the middle stage of the disease, painful sensations increase, the liver significantly increases in size, which can be noticed when you feel the abdomen of the animal. At this stage, digestive problems begin, which are usually manifested in stool upset, as well as periodic belching.

In the later stages of alveococcus, the symptoms are more pronounced. As a rule, the animal loses weight, bleeding is possible. At this stage, if the animal does not receive veterinary care, there is a high probability of death.

Treatment of alveococcosis

To treat pets from alveococcosis, various antiparasitic drugs are used. It is up to the veterinarian to prescribe the drug and dosage. In some cases, in order to cure it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention. The simplest and most reliable way to protect your pet from alveococcosis is regular use of preventive anti-parasitic drugs.