Content
- Tapeworm biological cycle
- Symptoms of tapeworm in a dog
- What is a gravidarum proglottid?
- Diagnosis of tapeworm in a dog
- How to treat tapeworm in a dog
- However, there is something fundamental to controlling this type of tapeworm...
- Tapeworm in dog passes to humans?
There is one numerous variety of tapeworms that can affect the health of our dogs. The tapeworm is a parasite of the cestode group (flat or true worms), which has a great impact on the health of dogs and humans, as some species can cause zoonoses, such as the famous hydatid cyst. In this article by the Animal Expert we will focus on getting to know the Dipylidium caninum, the most common tapeworm found in routine pet examinations. Keep reading and discover the tapeworm symptoms in dogs and their treatment.
Tapeworm biological cycle
This tape-shaped tapeworm, inhabits the small intestine of dogs and cats. However, like all parasites in this group, they need an intermediate host to complete their cycle.
One intermediate host it is another individual different from the definitive host, which in this case will be the dog's organism, where the parasite carries out some transformations and continues to develop. For the definitive host to be infested by the tapeworm, it must ingest the intermediate host, which carries the infectious form of the tapeworm inside.
Who is the intermediate host of the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum?
well it is usually the flea. It is curious that an external parasite, in turn, carries an internal parasite within itself, which ends its cycle when the flea is ingested by the dog while licking itself, or by nibbling at the base of the tail doing what is commonly known as "a screw thread".
Not all fleas harbor an internal cysticercus, which is the infectious form of the tapeworm. However, many fleas become intermediate hosts when ingesting the parasite's embryos in the environment. Inside the fleas is where all the transformations take place, until it reaches the "cysticercus" stage.After the dog ingests the flea, the cysticercus will be released into the digestive tract and its evolution will begin. for an adult tapeworm.
The time that elapses from ingesting the infected flea to the adult stage of the tapeworm in the dog's small intestine is about 15 to 21 days.
Symptoms of tapeworm in a dog
Parasitism by tapeworms usually asymptomatic. That is, usually, we do not realize that our dog suffers from this condition because of common changes in other cases, such as loss of appetite or diarrhea. In cases of severe parasitism, the dog may have coarse fur, poor body condition (thinness), diarrhea, swollen abdomen, among other symptoms. However, this clinical picture is common in dogs that suffer from the action of numerous parasites at the same time.
In a domestic and care animal, the only clue that can help us know if our dog has one or more tapeworms in the small intestine is through the presence of pregnancy proglottids in feces.
What is a gravidarum proglottid?
It's the mobile egg bag that the tapeworm eliminates to the outside with the feces of the host. They move, but they're not worms, not even a living thing, it's just a "pack" that contains the eggs of the adult tapeworm. looks like a grain of rice that stretches and shrinks. Directly observing the proglottid of worms in fresh or dry stools, around the anus or hair and finding them in bed is usually sufficient to diagnose tapeworm parasitism. Dipylidium caninum on our dog. If this happens, do not hesitate to seek out the veterinarian as soon as possible so that he can stipulate the appropriate treatment.
When they spend time out of the body, or attached to the hairs around the dog's anus, they dehydrate and take on the appearance of sesame seeds, those found in hamburger buns.
If we don't detect them directly in the feces, because we don't see where the animal defecates, we can find the proglottids in the dog's bed, in the hairs of the tail or around the anus. If they are dry, we can check by applying a drop of water with the help of a pipette, and we will see how they regain the appearance of a grain of white rice. However, the most prudent is to get rid of everything as quickly as possible, performing a thorough cleaning and vacuuming.
Traditionally, it was said that infestation with this type of tapeworm could be observed after 6 months of age. Theoretically, it is believed that the dog does not acquire, until then, the habit of gnawing (biting). However, it is increasingly common to find tapeworms in dogs as young as three months old. This is due to ingestion of an infected flea while nursing the mother, or by licking, as part of social behavior with other dogs.
Diagnosis of tapeworm in a dog
Directly observing the proglottid of worms in the stool, finding fresh or dry around the anus or fur and in bed is usually sufficient to diagnose tapeworm parasitism. Dipylidium caninum on our dog. If this happens, do not hesitate to seek out the veterinarian as soon as possible so that he can stipulate the appropriate treatment.
How to treat tapeworm in a dog
It's simple and effective! However, it is not discarded that all parasites develop, over time, a certain resistance to conventional antiparasitic drugs. O praziquantel It is the drug of choice due to its safety, low price and high efficacy against cestodes. A single dose may be insufficient. It is sometimes advisable to repeat treatment for tapeworm in dogs after 3 weeks.
However, we find many products associated with milbemycin oxime, and other antiparasitics (pyrantel, cambendazol), which cover almost all of our dog's parasites (toxocara, Trichuris, etc.), and it may be interesting to administer praziquantel together with some of them regularly in a single tablet. If the dog has an activity with access to green areas such as parks, meets with other dogs in the sand on the beach or recreation centers, administration of the medication every three months may be necessary.
However, there is something fundamental to controlling this type of tapeworm...
If we don't regularly treat our pet against fleas, using quality products, we won't get more than a temporary respite. If the dog eats an infected flea, after three weeks it will have worms inside it again, because praziquantel does not have a high residual activity, that is, it does not remain in the animal's body indefinitely, killing any tapeworm that develops again.
Thus, the main factor in the treatment of tapeworm in dogs consists of eliminate the fleas, using one of the following products:
- flea pills (afoxolaner, fluranaler, spinosad).
- Pipettes based on selamectin or imidacloprid+permethrin.
- collars based on imidacloprid and flumethrin, or deltamethrin, and also to control the environment where the dog lives.
If there is a flea nest in the environment, for example, a shed where firewood accumulates, we will have a new generation every now and then, waiting for the moment when the collar, pipette or pills we gave the dog are no longer effective, and we don't notice. Therefore, it may be necessary to fumigate the environment with anti-flea bombs, or spray with permethrin periodically.
If you don't know how often to deworm your furry friend and avoid the appearance of worms, don't miss our article and be regular when visiting the vet!
Tapeworm in dog passes to humans?
The humans may be your accidental host, if they mistakenly ingest the flea infected with the cysticercus. However, it is difficult for this to happen to an adult, however, if we have a baby at home and we live with a dog, controlling fleas is vital!
Even though, swallowing a flea is a very particular situation for a child, it is always better to prevent it. Especially at that age where everything gets to your mouth, and licking your dog seems like a fun idea.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.