Dipylidium caninum is a common tapeworm of dogs and cats, but is occasionally found in humans. It has many common names including the “
flea tapeworm”
, “cucumber tapeworm”, and “double-pored tapeworm”.
How do you get Dipylidium caninum?
Ingesting fleas
containing the cysticercoids infects the vertebrate host. Although the dog is the principal host for Dipylidium caninum, humans can also become infected by ingesting the cystercoid-contaminated fleas.
Where is Dipylidium Caninum found?
Adult Dipylidium caninum are found in
the small intestine of an infected dog or cat
. They are 15 – 70 cm in length and attach to the intestinal mucosa via a scolex, which has a retractable rostellum armed with 30 to 150 small hooks and 4 suckers.
How is Dipylidium caninum detected?
Tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed when
the moving segments are seen crawling around the anus or in a bowel movement
. Dipylidium tapeworm eggs are rarely released into the feces and are therefore not usually detected by routine fecal exams performed by your veterinarian.
Is Dipylidium caninum contagious to humans?
Human infections with D. caninum
are rare
, but it is more likely to occur in young children who kiss or are licked by their infected pets. There have been some reports of cases with D. caninum infection or dipylidiasis worldwide, since Linnaeus first described it in 1758.
What are the symptoms of Dipylidium?
Most infections are asymptomatic, but sometimes these symptoms may be identified in an infected individual:
mild diarrhea, abdominal colic, anorexia, restlessness, constipation, rectal itching, and pain due to emerging proglottids through the
anal cavity.
Can humans get Dipylidium caninum from cats?
The most common tapeworm is called Dipylidium caninum. These are easy-to-treat tapeworms in cats, and
they are not contagious to humans
.
What disease is caused by Dipylidium caninum?
Dipylidiasis
is a common tapeworm infection of dogs and cats caused by Dipylidium caninum. Linnaeus first described dipylidiasis in humans in 1758. Dipylidiasis has a worldwide distribution. Humans become infected by accidental ingestion of dog or cat fleas that contain D caninum cysticercoids (larva).
What is the lifespan of a tapeworm?
When you have an intestinal tapeworm infection, the tapeworm head adheres to the intestinal wall, and the proglottids grow and produce eggs. Adult tapeworms can live for
up to 30 years in a host
.
Are all fleas infected with tapeworm?
Regardless of whether the owner has seen fleas on the cat, or in the home, the cat must have ingested a flea in order to have
tapeworms
. “Fleas are the intermediate host for the tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum.” Consequently, tapeworms are more common in environments that are heavily infested with fleas.
What do parasites look like in poop?
In stools, the worms look like
small pieces of white cotton thread
. Because of their size and white color, pinworms are difficult to see. The male worm is rarely seen because it remains inside the intestine. It is best to search for pinworms at night, when the female comes out to lay her eggs.
Are dried tapeworm segments dead?
As Rover sleeps,
tapeworm segments are passed
Eventually the segment will dry and look more like a sesame seed. The sac breaks and tapeworm eggs are released. These eggs are not infectious to mammals.
How do I know if my dog has a tapeworm?
- Tapeworm in dog stool. As the tapeworm grows, segments containing heaps of eggs will be released into your dog’s stool. …
- Scooting. A dog with tapeworm may scoot around the floor or bite or lick their rear end to try to relieve the itching caused by tapeworms. …
- Vomiting. …
- Weight loss.
Should I quarantine my cat with worms?
If you suspect parasites, don’t delay–take them to the vet within 24-48 hours and
quarantine them from other animals in the house
to avoid contamination. Parasites are generally easy to treat, but can be lethal if left untreated in a tiny kitten.
Can tapeworm segments infect humans?
However, often tapeworms don’t cause symptoms.
The only sign of tapeworm infection may be segments of the worms
, possibly moving, in a bowel movement. In rare cases, tapeworms can lead to serious complications, including blocking the intestine, or smaller ducts in the intestine (like the bile duct or pancreatic duct).
Can I get worms from my cat sleeping in my bed?
It’s also possible for
tapeworms
to be transmitted directly from pets to humans; we can become infected with the flea tapeworm if we eat an infected flea by accident, often through playing or sleeping with our pet.
