General Information about Tapeworms
So, you’re worried that your cat or dog has Tapeworms, yes? Let’s have a quick overview of the problem you could be dealing with then.
What is a Tapeworm?
Tapeworms are parasites, most commonly found in the intestine of cats and dogs. They cause a great deal of stress and worry for the pet owner, but with the correct treatment, they are relatively easy to deal with.
What are the common signs of Tapeworm?
You need to appreciate what a Tapeworm is and how it is ‘made up’ to fully understand what you need to look out for. Firstly, once it finds it’s way into the intestine, it attaches itself to the intestinal wall with it’s mouth, which has hook like features. As the Tapeworm grows, it takes on the familiar segmented form which distinguishes it’s shape.
Once the Tapeworm matures, the end segments, known as proglottids, will detatch from the Tapeworm’s body, and are then passed in the pet’s stool.
Sometimes, these segments will be seen crawling around the anus, or within the fresh stool. They appear similar to grains of rice. Of more important significance, the segments can contain tapeworm eggs, which are released as the segment starts to dry out. These eggs are later ingested by flea larvae (or occasionally a louse), where they develop further to their next intermediate pre-developed form. If the flea larvae (or louse) is later eaten by a dog or cat (even by licking one off it’s own skin), the intermediate pre-developed egg passes to the animal’s intestine where it develops into a mature Tapeworm, thus completing the life cycle. It follows therefore that flea control of your pet must also be a serious contemplation for the responsible pet owner.
There is also a less common form of Tapeworm known as Echinococcus. These are typically found in small mammals (such as rodents) which already contain the Tapeworm.
What problems can Tapeworms cause?
Well, they are not generally considered harmful to your dog or cat, but they can cause weight loss or other symptoms where they exist in any significant number. Occasionally, a dog can be seen to drag its anus along the ground or floor. This can be due to the segments irritating the skin. Other signs to look out for can be depression, poor appetite, or diarrhea. Sometimes, the Tapeworm will move to the stomach of your pet. This can ultimately prove very alarming for the pet owner, as they may witness their pet vomitting the worm.
Can humans get Tapeworm from their pet?
The short answer is yes. For this to happen however, they too must swallow an infected flea, and most instances of this have occurred with children. The risk of infection with this tapeworm in humans is low.