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What are
tapeworms?
Tapeworms are a
highly specialised intestinal parasite known as Cestodes.
Tapeworms need two hosts, the intermediate host which passes the
cysticercoid around & the final host (your pet), where it
develops into an adult tapeworm & lays it's eggs. Dipylidium canium is the most common tapeworm in
cats followed by Taenia taeniaeformis. Tapeworms are
hermaphroditic, which means they contain both ovaries &
testes & are capable of reproducing on their own. They have
a head (scolex), a neck & a segmented body (the segments are
known as proglottids). They are whitish/cream in colour with a
ribbon like appearance, and can grow to 15 - 60 cms in length.
There are several types of tapeworm your cat can become infected
by, the two most common are;
-
Dipylidium
canium:
-
Taenia
taeniaeformis:
Life Cycle
of the Tapeworm & how cats become infected:
-
Dipylidium
canium: The most common tapeworm found in cats. The cat flea is the intermediate host of dipylidium
canum. Eggs are passed in the faeces & eaten by flea
larvae. Once inside the flea larvae, the egg hatches &
becomes (cysticercoid). The flea larvae develops into an
adult flea, which goes about it's business of parasitising
your pet & sucking blood. Your cat (or dog) then ingests
the flea during grooming. Once inside the stomach the flea
is broken down & the tapeworm is released. It hooks onto
the small intestinal wall & develops into an adult
tapeworm. Once it reaches maturity (in around 2 - 3 weeks) egg filled segments break
off & leave the body via the anus. These segments have
the appearance of rice grains. These segments are motile (capable
of movement). Once these segments have dried out they have
the appearance of sesame seeds. They are then eaten by flea
larvae & so the cycle begins once again.
-
Taenia
taeniaeformis: Probably the second most common tapeworm in
cats. Cats become infected with taenia taeniaeformis via
eating rodents containing the larval tapeworm.
What are the
signs of tapeworms in cats?
The presence of
rice like segments (proglottids) around your cat's anus & in
the environment is a sign your pet has tapeworm.
Your
veterinarian may perform a microscopic study of the pet's faeces
to check for the presence of tapeworm segments & or
eggs.
Are
tapeworms dangerous to cats?
Generally no,
tapeworms aren't harmful to cats. As tapeworms take nutrients
from the cat a heavy infestation can cause your cat to become
nutritionally deprived & lose weight & the fur to have a
rough appearance.
What's the
treatment?
Your veterinarian
will be able to provide you with a effective deworming
medication which will kill the tapeworm(s). Once they have died,
they will be digested along with the cat's food.
Can I catch
tapeworms from my cat?
Yes & no.
You cannot catch tapeworm directly from your cat, but if your
cat has fleas, it is possible to catch tapeworm by accidentally
swallowing a flea carrying the tapeworm cysticercoid.
How do I
prevent tapeworm in my pet?
Stringent flea
control is a must. Preventing your cat hunting rodents is also
advised. Children are much more likely to become infected than
adults.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a
veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a
veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for
informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great
care has been made in the creation of these articles, we
cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages.
If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical
advice. |
