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Tapeworms
Intestinal parasites acquired by swallowing infected fleas. The adult worm anchors to the intestinal wall and absorbs nutrients. Segments (proglottids) resembling rice grains or sesame seeds are found on the pet's rear end or stool.
Key Facts
- ONLY transmitted by swallowing an infected flea — no other route for Dipylidium
- Segments look like grains of rice (fresh/moving) or sesame seeds (dried)
- Adult worm can be 6+ inches long, anchored by hooks to intestinal wall
- Generally causes little harm — mainly cosmetically disturbing to owners
- Fecal flotation tests often miss tapeworms — segments must break open for eggs to be seen
- Treatment: praziquantel (injection, tablet, or topical) or epsiprantel
- Fenbendazole does NOT work against Dipylidium caninum
- Key to eradication: flea control — recurring tapeworms = ongoing flea problem
- Takes 3 weeks from flea ingestion to visible segments
- Humans can theoretically get infected but must swallow an infected flea
- Taenia genus tapeworms: different species acquired from eating prey animals