Wormopedia - Tapeworms

Tapeworm can be found in infected animals and is also spread by fleas. There are four main types of tapeworm that tend to affect our pets:

• Dipylidium – the most common species which is spread by fleas
• Taenia tapeworm which can be caught by dogs who scavenge while out walking or cats that hunt mice and other prey.
• Echinococcus granulosus, or sheep tapeworm, which can be caught by dogs but not cats
• and finally, Echinococcus multilocularis which is found abroad.

- AT RISK -

SOME TAPEWORMS CAN GROW UP TO 5 METRES IN LENGTH

Because the most common type of tapeworm is transmitted by fleas, any cat or dog that has had fleas may be infected.

Symptoms

You won’t always be aware if your pet has a form of tapeworm as there may not be any obvious symptoms.

You may occasionally, however, notice your pet spending more time than usual cleaning its bottom, since the egg-filled worm segments tend to irritate it as they pass through.

You may be able to pick up clues as to whether your pet has tapeworm - sometimes tiny segments (about the size of a grain of rice) can be found in their bedding.

Lifecycle...

Adult worms in small intestine

Eggs are released from segments

Eggs in faeces

Humans can be infected by ingestion of eggs from the environment

Hydatids forming in the liver or the lungs of the intermediate host

Eggs ingested by intermediate host (sheep, cattle and horses)

Formation of cysts in the liver and other organs, causing serious disease which in some cases may be fatal

Dog eats carcass containing hydatids

Infection stages

The incubation period for tapeworms is between 3 and 10 weeks - that's the possible time lapse between your pet ingesting a tapeworm and starting to pass egg segments (these are not always visible).

Risk to humans

Tapeworms can pass from pets to people. Echinococcus granulosus, the tapeworm that only affects dogs, can cause a serious illness called hydatid disease in people, causing cysts to form on internal organs.

It can take up to 50 years for symptoms to become apparent although in some cases hydatid disease can prove fatal.

Spread in Europe

Tapeworm can be found right across the UK and Europe. Sheep tapeworm is found in the UK, it is most prevalent in Wales and the Hebrides.

How to get rid of them

Rigorous flea control is crucial along with regular worming with with a vet strength wormer which is effective against tapeworms in both cats and dogs.