Tapeworms

Species: dogs and cats

Scientific names: Taenia taeniaeformis (cats), Dipylidium caninum (cats and dogs), Taenia pisiformis (dogs)

Diagnosis: visualization of tapeworm segments in feces (rice-sized white worms) or on fur around rectum, occasionally visualization of eggs on fecal examination

Clinical signs: most animals asymptomatic, weight loss, anal itch, vomiting, diarrhea, can cause intestinal obstruction in rare cases

Mode of transmission: oral ingestion of infected flea or infected small animal (ie. rodents)

• Cannot be directly transmitted to other pets.

Treatment: praziquantel

Prevention:

• Monthly flea preventive
• Keep cats indoors to prevent hunting
• Do not feed animals raw meat, especially sheep and wild ruminants

Zoonotic disease:

• Dipylidium caninum can be transmitted to human if a human orally ingests an infected flea.  Humans cannot be directly infected by pets.   
• Echinococcus granulosus is a tapeworm that dogs become infected with after eating an infected sheep or wild ruminant.  This particular tapeworm can cause serious disease in humans.  This type of tapeworm is extremely rare in our area, and your dog is not at risk unless you feed infected sheep or wild ruminant meat.

Information about human Echinococcus infections from the CDC

Please contact our veterinarians at Animal Medical Hospital in Saint Petersburg, Florida (FL) at 727-896-7127 for more information.