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Tapeworm in dogs and Cats
22 October 2009
Endoparasites are worms which live within the body. There are several types of worm including Roundworms, Hookworm, Whipworm and Tapeworm. These can be split into two types - Cestodes (Tapeworm) and Nematodes (the roundworms). It is important to know that few wormers will kill both sorts of worms.
Cestodes
The three main cestodes are
· Dipylidium canium
· Taenia sp.
· Echinococcus sp.
Dipylidium canium
This can infest dogs and cats. It must have a flea as its intermediate host and any dog that has a D. canium has had fleas at some stage of its life.The head of the worm is called the scolex which attaches to the intestine by hooks and suckers.It feeds by absorbing food through its skin. The worm forms segments and these segments are independant of each other, that is they have there own reproductive organs.As the segments age others are added and start to grow. These segments (proglottids) detach from the main worm and they will crawl out of the animals anus to the surounding areas of fur and drop off into the environment, the segment will then split open releasing eggs. These eggs are then eaten by flea larvae. The egg hatches inside the flea and when the animal scratches itself, the flea is ingested, the worm larvae then attaches itself to the intestine where it will begin to grow. It should also be noted that humans particularly children can also be infected should they swallow a flea, which seems unlikely but it is suprising what fleas will jump on to, such as food that is dropped onto the floor. It is very likely that an animal with fleas will have been infected with the tapeworm larvae.
Taenia sp
This species is usually found in cats as the intermediate host is small mammals and birds, any cat that hunts is more than likely to be reinfested continually with these worms. Dogs can also pick up the worm if they eat infected meat such as rabbits or sheep. The egg is shed in the faeces of the infected animal which is then picked up by rodents, rabbits,sheep etc. Dogs that are exercised on farmland and hunter cats should be checked regularly and treated monthly if needed. Although this worm presents no threat to cats or dogs they will pass on the infection to cattle and farm stock, which if they are infected renders there meat unsellable and can cause Gid (brain disease) in sheep.
Echinococcus granulosus
This is a rare worm that is usually found in dogs (never cats) in the South West of England and parts of Wales. It is very important as it is zoonotic(can be passed to humans). The eggs are passed out in faeces (can live for long periods without a host) and if those eggs are picked up (contaminated grass for instance)
By animal or human they will hatch and travel around the blood stream, where they will settle in organs such as the liver or brain. Here they will form hydatid cysts which can grow as big as a football.
For at risk animals it is reccomended that they are treated at least every 3 months. Kittens under 12 weeks should not be treated for tapeworm unless it is an approved product prescribed by a vet or SQP (Suitably Qualified Person on site at Natural World)
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