166
Trichuris Vulpis in Dogs in India
number of testes (12) reported has not been
seen even in one single specimen obtained by
the writer.
The differences noted above, although fairly
important, do not, however, justify the creation
of a new species and may prove to be indivi-
dual variations. In view of these observations,
it may be considered advisable for the present
to amend the specific diagnosis of Amoebotae-
nia sphenoides as follows:
Specific diagnosis of Amoebotaenia sphenoides
Railliet 1892 emended
Diagnosis. Amoebotaenia with a length up
to 4 mm.; number of proglottides up to 30.
Testes less than 12 or 12, running along the
posterior margin of the proglottides.
Uterus
persistent, lobed posteriorly. Cirrus armed with
minute spines.
Host—Fowl.
Location—Intestine.
Locality—United Provinces (Lucknow, Kas-
gunj and Shikohabad).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author is extremely grateful to Mr. T. J.
Egan, M.R.C.V.S., I.V.S., Director, Veteri-
nary Services, United Provinces, for his keen
interest and valuable advice. The author also
desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to
Dr M. B. Lall of the Lucknow University, for
his helpful criticism in the preparation of this
paper.
REFERENCES
Bhalerao, G. D. (1935). Helminth Parasites of the
Domesticated Animals in India. New Delhi
Meggitt, F. J. (1926). Parasit. 18, 230-37
——
(1931). Parasit. 23, 250-63
Southwell, T. (1921). Ann. Trop. Med. Parasit. 15,
16-16
———— (1930). The Fauna of British India
Cestoda Vol. II
TRICHURIS VULPIS IN DOGS IN INDIA
By R. N. MOHAN, Veterinary Investigation Officer, Bengal, and A. MUKERJI, Laboratory Assistant,
Bengal Veterinary College, Belgachia, Calcutta
(Received for publication on 20 March, 1944)
IN spite of the fact that parasites belonging to the
genus Trichuris are so common and widespread in
man and ruminants in India, there has been no
record of their occurrence in dogs in this country,
except in the recent publication of Srivastava [1942]
More during the examination of material from
dogs at Mukteswar and elsewhere, he says that he
came across half a dozen cases of whipworm infes-
tation. He observes that the infestation is fairly
widespread in this country in view of the fact that
the material examined by him came from different
and distant localities, such as Bombay, Jind
State, Bhimtal and Dehra Dun.
Below are given some details of a case observed
by the writers.
HISTORY
On 21st April 1943, a three months old cocker
spaniel, ordered by an American military officer,
was admitted into the Dog Hospital of the Bengal
Veterinary College for treatment. According to
the history supplied by the owner, the pup was
born and reared in Tennessee State of the U. S. A.
and was brought to Calcutta at the age of two
months, in apparently good health. From about
a week after its arrival in Calcutta, the pup
remained in Assam. Shortly after its return
to Calcutta, it became ill, had low fever with
diarrhoea, occasionally tinged with blood and mu-
cus, resulting in considerable loss of condition and
rapid emaciation.
The pup was found on examination to be in a
very poor condition. Temperature records reveal-
ed only a moderate rise above the normal. The
faeces continued to be loose.
Distinct anaemic changes were noticed in blood
films. Microscopical examination of the faeces,
after floatation with saturated sugar solution,
repeatedly revealed worm eggs of two different
types in fairly large numbers. They were identifi-
ed as (i) Ancylostoma eggs and (ii) Trichuris eggs,
the latter predominating.
A course of general tonic was administered and,
after the results of the faecal examination were
known, a small dose of tetrachlorethylene was also
given. This, however, proved of no avail, and the
pup died about a fortnight after admission to
hospital.
POST-MORTEM FINDINGS
When examined after death the internal organs
did not show any significant abnormality beyond
the pale and comparatively bloodless condition
generally obtaining in anaemic and debilitated
animals. From the caecum and partly from the
large colon, 143 whipworms and two dead hook-
worms were collected. Of the 143 whipworms, 61