Students Blake Burdan, ’20, and Sophia Kalugin, ’19, present their pamphlet about tapeworms, Oct. 24. Fifth period zoology create informational pamphlets about six different types of worms for this unit’s project. 

Students in Dr. Karen Walter’s zoology class split into groups and received specific types of worms to learn about. They were tasked to create a slideshow that would be presented in class and a pamphlet to go along with the presentations.  

With six different worms studied, students learn transmission, symptoms, cures, location and deaths that the worms cause.

Here are some fun facts about the various types of worms currently being studied in zoology.

Schistosomiasis

Transmission – Caused by a parasite which penetrate the skin and goes into your blood line to your liver.

Symptoms – Abdominal pain, urinary infection, or liver enlargement.

Location – Found in subtropical areas, or infested lake water,

Tapeworm

What are they? Tapeworms are intestinal parasites, mostly found in cats and dogs.

Treatments – Bring your pet to a veterinarian to be tested and they will be given medicine.

Prevention – Since fleas are the key cause, control them both in home and yard.

Ascarids

Morphology – Adults have a round cylindrical shape with an average length of 15-30 centimeters.

Symptoms – Abdominal discomfort, fever, vomiting, and nausea.

Treatment – Deworming pills.

Canine Heart worms

What is it? Heart worms are foot-long worms that live in the heart and lungs of your dogs.

Time Span – Once inside the host, it takes about six months for larvae to mature into adults.

Prevention – Semi-annual treatment through medication is a key factor in preventing potential heart worms.

Elephantiasis

Symptoms – Swelling in legs and arms, pain and mobility issues, and damage of the lymphatic system.

Location – Africa, India, South America, and Southeast Asia.

Treatment – Medications such as antibiotics and parasitics.

Hookworms

What is it? Hookworm is an infection by a type of intestinal parasite, known as a hookworm.

How it spreads – Once in the host, the larvae turns to eggs and then takes its place in the human body.

Symptoms – Intestinal inflammation, and iron deficiency.

For more about zoology, visit Zoology’s zoo by photojournalists Lindsay Weimer, ’20.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2018-19.