Ewwwww! My Pet Has Tape Worms!
How Disgusting!
What are tapeworms?
Tapeworms are intestinal parasites of cats (and dogs). Because they are classified as cestodes, they belong to a different family of worms than hookworms and roundworms (called nematodes).
This parasite attaches to the small intestinal wall by hook-like mouthparts.
Eventually, adult tapeworms may reach several inches in length.
As the adult matures, individual segments (proglottids) break off from the main body of the tapeworm and pass into the stool.
Occasionally, the mobile segments can be seen crawling near the anus or on the surface of a fresh bowel movement. These segments look like grains of rice and contain tapeworm eggs; the eggs are released into the environment when the segment dries. The dried segments are small (about 1/16", or 2 mm), hard and golden in color. These dried segments can sometimes be seen stuck to the hair around the dog's or cat's rear.
Infection is common and found throughout the world.
A less commonly found tapeworm, called Echinococcus, also occurs in dogs. Several types of tapeworms are known to infect cats; Dipylidium caninum is by far the most common.
with fleas. Lice are also reported as intermediate hosts for tapeworms but they are relatively uncommon parasitesin the US.
These tapeworms cause serious, potentially fatal, disease when humans become infected. Infection with this parasite is harder to diagnose than Dipylidium because the segments are small and not readily seen. Trappers and hunters in the north central United States and south central Canada may be at increased risk for infection with this worm when strict hygiene is not practiced. Foxes and coyotes (and the wild rodents upon which they prey) are important in the life cycle of this parasite. Dogs and cats may also become infected if they eat rodents carrying the parasite. When eggs of Echinococcus are passed in the feces of the dog and cat, humans are at risk for infection. Free-roaming cats and dogs may need to be periodically treated with tapeworm medication. Rodent control and good hygiene are important in preventing the spread of this disease to humans. As with the more common tapeworm, infection with Echinococcus is infrequent yet possible.
The tapeworms described here may be acquired by accidentally swallowing an
infected flea (dog tapeworm) or eating a piece of uncooked infected meat.