Cestodes and Nematodes in Small Animals Flashcards
What is the definitive host of Dipylidium caninum?
Dogs and cats
Where in the dog/cat does D. caninum live?
Small intestine
What clinical signs does D. caninum cause?
Sometimes none, scooting d/t perianal irritation, non-specific GI signs
How is D. caninum transmitted?
Ingestion of fleas/lice (intermediate host)
How does D. caninum spread from the dog/cat?
Gravid proglottids passed in feces
How do you dx D. caninum?
Break open proglottid to visualize egg w/saline
Why is ID of D. caninum difficult on fecal float?
Eggs don’t consistently float, proglottids don’t uniformly distribute in feces
How do you prevent D. caninum infestation?
Good flea and lice control
Is D. caninum zoonotic?
Yes
How do you treat D. caninum?
Praziquantel
What is the most common Taenia spp to affect dogs?
T. pisiformis
What Taenia spp affects cats?
T. taeniaeformis
What are clinical signs of Taenia infection?
Sometimes none, scooting, GI impaction
How is T. pisiformis transmitted to dogs?
Ingestion of rabbit (int. host) tissue that contain cystercerci
How is T. taeniaeformis transmitted to cats?
Ingestion of rodent (int. host) tissue that contain strobilocerci
How do you dx Taenia?
Proglottids in feces, high specific gravity fecal float
What other organism do Taenia eggs look like under the microscope?
Echinococcus eggs
How do you prevent Taenia infection?
Elimination of predatory activities
How do you treat Taenia in dogs and cats?
Praziquantel, fenbendazole
What are clinical signs of Echinococcus?
Sometimes none, alveolar = resp signs
What is the definitive host of Echinococcus granulosus?
Dogs
Where do E. granulosus live in the host?
Small intestine
What is the intermediate host of E.granulosus?
Ungulates
How is E. granulosus transmitted to dogs?
Ingestion of int. host tissue containing hydatid cysts
How do you dx E. granulosus?
High sp. gravity fecal float
What is the intermediate host of E. multilocularis (dogs) and E. multiloculari (cats)?
Rodents
How do dogs and cats become infected with E. multiloculari/multilocularis?
Ingestion of int host containing multilocular cysts
How do you dx E. multilocularis/loculari?
CELISA or PCR
How do you treat Echinococcus spp?
Praziquantel
What are clinical signs of Toxocara spp?
Sometimes none, V+/D+, difficulty gaining weight, unthriftiness, pot-bellied puppies/kittens