<unk>  egg Diagnosis depends on finding characteristic worm eggs on microscopic examination of the stools, although this is not possible in early<unk> . Early signs of<unk>  in most dogs include limbular limping and anal itching. The eggs are oval or elliptical, measuring 60 by 40 µm, colorless, not bile stained and with a thin transparent hyaline shell membrane. When released by the worm in the intestine, the egg contains an unsegmented ovum. During its passage down the intestine, the ovum develops and thus the eggs passed in feces have a segmented ovum, usually with 4 to 8 blastomeres. As the eggs of both Ancylostoma and Necator (and most other<unk>  species) are indistinguishable, to identify the genus, they must be cultured in the lab to allow larvae to hatch out. If the fecal sample is left for a day or more under tropical conditions, the larvae will have hatched out, so eggs might no longer be evident. In such a case, it is essential to distinguish<unk> s from Strongyloides larvae, as<unk>  with the latter has more serious implications and requires different management. The larvae of the two<unk>  species can also be distinguished microscopically, although this would not be done routinely, but usually for research purposes. Adult worms are rarely seen (except via endoscopy, surgery or autopsy), but if found, would allow definitive identification of the species. Classification can be performed based on the length of the buccal cavity, the space between the oral opening and the esophagus:<unk>  rhabditoform larvae have long buccal cavities whereas Strongyloides rhabditoform larvae have short buccal cavities. Recent research has focused on the development of DNA-based tools for diagnosis of<unk> , specific identification of<unk> , and analysis of genetic variability within<unk>  populations. Because<unk>  eggs are often indistinguishable from other parasitic eggs, PCR assays could serve as a molecular approach for accurate diagnosis of<unk>  in the feces.
Hookworm infection
Pinworm infection
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis
Intestinal parasite infection
Strongyloidiasis
Tick infestation
Acariasis
Myiasis