Table 4 Capillariid and trichuroid nematodes affecting dogs and cats: differential features of eggs found in faecal samples.

Eucoleus aerophilus

60-85 μm long

25-40 μm wide

Bipolar plugs asymmetrical, outer shell densely striated and with presence of a network of anastomosing ridges

[37, 93, 105]

Eucoleus boehmi

50-60 μm long

30-35 μm wide

Tiny pits on the surface of the egg wall

[37, 90, 93]

Trichuris spp.

70-80 μm long

30-50 μm wide

Symmetrical, presence of ringed thickening at the base of the bipolar plugs, smooth egg wall

[93, 131]

Aoncotheca putorii

56-72 μm long

23-32 μm wide

Bipolar plugs asymmetrical, sides of shell wall nearly parallel, longitudinal network of anastomosing ridges on shell wall surface

[37, 93]