Worms and Your Pet
The scientific name for the most common tapeworm found in dogs and cats is called Dipylidium caninum. Another tapeworm found in dogs anc cats is referred to as Taenia spp. in the scientific literature. The only way dogs and cats can become infected with tapeworms is by ingesting an intermediate host. These includes fleas, mice, rabbits, or any other small creature your pet may wish to ingest.
Tapeworms are small, flat, segmented intestinal parasites. Often owners will find segments of the tapeworm, called proglottids, which resemble a grain of rice, near the pet’s anus or on feces. There are normally no clinical signs associated with a tapeworm infection.
However, some pets may exhibit anal itching, diarrhea, or weight loss. Generally, tapeworms do not cause any major health problems in pets but in puppies and kittens a heavy tapeworm infestation can be more serious.
Unlike some other intestinal parasites, tapeworms do not live freely in the intestinal tract. Instead, they attach themselves to the wall of the small intestine by using hook-like mouthparts. The part of the tapeworm that attaches itself to the intestinal wall is called the scolex. As the tapeworm matures it produces more segments and increases in size.
Eventually the oldest part of the tapeworm will break off and come out through the anus or stool. The appearance of these proglottids is the most common way of making a diagnosis as it is often difficult to identify tapeworm eggs in feces under a microscope.
Pet owners who think their pet may be infested with tapeworms are encouraged not to use over-the-counter worming medications. Over-the-counter worming medications will kill the proglottids and prevent them from reproducing. However, they will not have any effect on the scolex which will continue to reproduce.
The scolex must be killed otherwise it will continue to generate new proglottids. This can be done with a prescription medication available through veterinarians.
To prevent your pet from becoming infested with tapeworms it is important to control the presence of intermediate hosts such as fleas and mice. Outdoor cats who are known to catch prey should be wormed on a regular basis. Owners often believe that tapeworm medication is not effective because shortly after treatment the begin to see more tapeworms.
This is often the result of a recurrent infection, not failure of the product. Re-infection can occur in as little as two weeks so control of intermediate hosts is crucial in the management and prevention of tapeworm infection.
Humans are not likely to contract tapeworms from their pets. The only way a person could acquire tapeworms is by ingesting the intermediate host. However, a few cases in children has been reported.
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Tags: cat health, cat parasites, dog health, dog parasites, getting rid of tapeworm, pet health, tape worm, tapeworm, tapeworm cat, tapeworm dog, tapeworms, UTI, worming cat, worming dog, worms
December 01, 2008
Worms and Your Pet | Natural Pet Health
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