Toxocara canis is the parasite known as the

• A. Feline roundworm
• B. Canine roundworm
• C. Lungworm
• D. Tapeworm

Answer: (B)

Toxocara canis is the intestinal roundworm of dogs. It’s a nematode whose adults live in the small intestine, especially in puppies, and it sheds eggs in the feces. Those eggs become infective after spending time in the environment, so dogs can acquire infection by ingesting contaminated material. In puppies, transmission can occur before birth or through milk, helping infections spread early in life. The eggs are a common finding on fecal exams and lead to classic signs like diarrhea and a pot-bellied appearance when the worm burden is high. This parasite is also a zoonosis, meaning humans can be accidentally infected, most often as a result of contact with contaminated soil or objects, which is why parasite control in pets is important for public health.

The other options refer to different parasites: a feline roundworm is a different species that infects cats; a lungworm inhabits the respiratory system rather than the gut; a tapeworm is a different group of flatworms with distinct lifecycles and hosts.