Horse Health
Pet Talk - Tapeworms
By
Apr 8, 2008, 14:11

Grooming for Fluffy and Fido improves their appearance, but it could make them sick from an unlikely source. In the process of grooming, your pet may ingest or swallow fleas carrying the tapeworm larvae. And tapeworms, by any measuring stick, are not pleasant.

“Tapeworms are not life-threatening, but they can be disgusting,” says Dr. Thomas Craig, professor of parasitology in Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

“Tapeworms are a population of parasites called flatworms that require two hosts to complete their life cycle. Adult tapeworms live in the small intestine of the host,” notes Craig.

Cats and dogs can be the primary hosts, while adult fleas are the secondary host.

Craig says the segmented adult tapeworm lives in the small intestine of the host. When the segments are passed in the animal’s feces, the tapeworm eggs are released.

A larval flea eats the tapeworm egg and then the flea larva progress through the pupa stage in a cocoon. The flea develops into an adult flea that is eaten by a cat or dog, Craig adds.

“Movement and vibrations trigger the hatching of the pupa into an adult flea. When the adult flea jumps on your pet to take a blood meal, the pet may eat the flea carrying the tapeworm larvae and thus become the host for the larval stage to complete its development into an adult tapeworm,” says Dr. Craig.

Tapeworms attach, with hooks or suckers, to the intestinal lining of the host. Since they do not have a digestive tract, tapeworms absorb nutrients directly through their integument (skin-like layer), Craig explains.

“In dogs and cats, tapeworms can reach lengths of several feet or more and usually cause no damage,” Craig notes. “They are rarely associated with intestinal blockage, but they can be disgusting nonetheless for pet owners.”

Tapeworms are not always seen in routine fecal exams, notes Craig. Diagnosis is usually made when segments of the tapeworm are seen in the pet’s anal area, clinging to their hair, or on recently passed feces. The segments are the size and color of a grain of

dried white rice. Each segment contains thousands of eggs that have the ability to develop in fleas.

Tapeworm treatment includes either an injectable medication or oral dosage available from your veterinarian. These medicines effectively kill adult tapeworms. Eggs are killed when the adult is killed, Craig adds.

“Tapeworm re-infection can occur if fleas are not controlled,” Craig says.

“Adult fleas have a life span of up to 50 days. Females lay eggs that fall off the host. The eggs hatch and the larvae feed for several weeks. Then the pupa/cocoon forms and develops into an adult when a food source is available.

“The key to successful eradication of pet tapeworms is to understand their life cycle and eliminate fleas from your pet’s habitat,” Craig believes.

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