and a body made up of proglottids. The proglottids constitute the single units of reproduction that mature as they move away from the head; the more proximal units are in fact the immature ones, followed by those with both male and female sexual organs for reproduction and finally the pregnant ones, which carry the mature eggs.
The tapeworm in adult form lives in the intestine of the definitive host and releases the proglottids into the environment through the faeces produced and the active migratory movement through the anus. The cycle continues with the ingestion of the proglottids by the intermediate host, in which the larval stage of the parasite develops, usually in a cystic form. Infestation by mammals such as dogs, cats and humans occurs by voluntary or accidental ingestion of the definitive host.
and from the biting lice of the dog, which by ingesting the proglottids present in the environment and on the animal's fur develop infesting cysts in their muscular system. The "ingestion, accidental or during licking or" grooming ", of these arthropods constitutes the way of transmission of the tapeworm for the continuation of its life cycle reaching the adult stage within about 3 weeks.
Cases of infestation are also described in humans due to accidental ingestion of Dipylidium proglottids, especially in children.
The recognition of this tapeworm occurs through the description of the proglottids that can be detected in the animal's feces, in the fur of the circum-anal area and on kennels or blankets on which the animal rests. In fact, at the moment of their release they undergo a very fast drying process for which they take on the characteristic shape of a grain of rice or pumpkin seeds.
- Dog tapeworm (Echinoccoccus granulosus)
It is a small tapeworm that infests the dog and other canids, with the exception of the fox. The adult worms lodge in the small intestine of the dog, which releases the mature proglottids into the environment. Cattle, sheep and pigs are the intermediate hosts, in which the released embryo migrates from the intestine to the lungs where they form immature larval hydatid cysts. The dog becomes infested by ingesting the viscera of the intermediate hosts.
Also in this case the man can become a guest through the ingestion of the eggs deposited in the environment on plants or faeces of infested dogs.
- Fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis)
It is a small flat worm that parasites fox, dog and other canids, less frequently the cat. The adult worms are found in the intestine of the definitive hosts and these release the proglottids with the feces. The eggs containing the larvae are ingested by the vole, a small rodent, and form multilocular cysts in its liver. The canids become infested by ingesting the rodent carrying the parasite.
Man can re-enter the cycle as an intermediate host by ingestion of contaminated food or contact with the faeces of infested animals, then harboring the larval stage in alveolar hydatid cysts
- Taenia spp.
This group of tapeworms includes various species which differ in intermediate host, but which can parasitize dogs, cats and foxes as definitive hosts by ingesting the organs of infested prey.
in the anal area and proglottids can be found in the surrounding hair, bedding or faeces.
In some situations of massive infestations, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and non-specific symptoms of culling can occur.
Diagnosis is made by recognition of proglottids. However, this can be difficult in the case of Echinococcus, which has proglottids that are too small to see with the naked eye and which are intermittently eliminated by the definitive host. For this reason, certain diagnostic methods must be carried out with advanced laboratory instruments.
For further information: Tapeworm - Solitary worm, including praziquantel. This molecule is the most used for its rapid effectiveness and its very broad spectrum of action on all types of tapeworms, along with other intestinal parasites of dogs and cats.
Knowing the life cycle of tapeworms, we can also consider what risk factors there are for dogs and cats. A good pesticide protection avoids the infestation by fleas, intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum; for tapeworms that need predation as a way of transmission it is good to prohibit the access of dogs and cats to offal of animals that can harbor the parasite, associating always a constant check for intestinal parasites. Specific cleansing of the perianal area may also be useful for dogs diagnosed with tapeworm.
Finally, we must not forget that tapeworms can be the object of zoonosis and therefore parasitize humans as an aberrant host. For this reason, proper disposal of dog and cat feces is essential, washing hands thoroughly after contact, and pay attention to do not ingest contaminated food before proper cleaning
