This Anipedia-hosted chapter is an extract from a comprehensive textbook compiled by expert parasitologists at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria. The chapter was written by Dr Volker Schwan who is currently a researcher and lecturer on various parasites at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Pretoria. His areas of expertise are filarial worms and their transmission by mosquitos.
Veterinary, para-veterinary and allied animal and human health professionals and students.
Online CPD activity
The online information for the CPD course on this species account provides a useful summary of the helminths of companion animals. The chapter is sub-divided according to the host species, under subsections according to the helminth order (nematodes, trematodes and cestodes). Each category of worm is discussed under the further sub-headings of general introduction, hosts, distribution, transmission, socio-economic importance, pathogenesis and pathology, clinical signs, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment and control.
The questions compiled focus on the control of helminths in companion animals which is the most important challenge which small animal veterinarians face given the impact of these parasites on pet health. This requires a good working knowledge of the species involved, the epidemiology as well and treatment and non-pharmaceutical control measures. In addition, the questions test knowledge on the zoonotic potential of small animal helminths for humans which is of huge importance for the One Health approach to veterinary and medical science.
This course has a multiple-choice test.
Helminths of companion animals
South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
1 CPD Point
AC/2163/19
In order to qualify for CPD points, the learner will be required to complete the course and pass the multiple-choice test with 80%.