Tapeworms Flashcards
What is the Phylum tapeworms are under
Platyhelminthes
Class?
Trematoda (flukes)
Cestoda (tapeworms)
Cestoda subclasses
Euscestoda (true tapeworm)
Cotyloda
Describe tapeworms
Flatworms that lack a body cavity
Hermaphroditic
What is the life cycle of tapeworms?
Indirect
Require on an intermediate host
Scolex
Head
Acetabula
Suckers
Armed/unarmed rostellum
Rostrum
Most tapeworms are armed
Neck
Growth region
Strobila
Body
Proglottids
What are the three types of proglottids?
Immature
Mature
Gravid
What does each proglottid have?
A male and female reproductive organ
What is a gravid proglottid?
A pregnant proglottid
Eucestodes (true tapeworm) Life Cycle
Gravid proglottids go into the environment
Embryos are ingested by the intermediate host
Become the metacestode and then adult when they reach the predilection site
What is the metacestode stage in the tapeworm life cycle?
Larval form
What do the clients see?
Dried proglottids = white rice
Fresh proglottids = cucumber seeds, still moving
Dipylidium caninum
Flea tapeworm
Cucumber seed tapeworm
Double-pored tapeworm
What is the most common tapeworm found in dogs and cats?
Dipylidium caninum
What is the predilection site of the Dipylidium caninum
The small intestine of dogs and cats
How do dogs and cats become infected with Dipylidium caninum?
By ingesting fleas
What is the prepatent period of Dipylidium caninum?
14 to 21 days
What is the intermediate host of Dipylidium caninum?
Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea)
How do we diagnosis a Dipylidium caninum infection?
Fecal float
ID the eggs in the packets because it helps ID the specific tapeworm
What is the treatment for a Dipylidium caninum infection?
Praziquantel
Epsiprantel
What do we do to prevent a Dipylidium caninum infection?
Flea control
Is Dipylidium caninum zoonotic?
Yes if the flea is ingested not the proglottids
What is it about the Taenia species that makes it hard to differentiate between species?
Each genus and species has a very similar ova
What is the similar ova in the Taenia species called?
“Taenia type”
How do you know what Taenia species you are looking at?
You can narrow it down by the host
An exact diagnosis can not be made
What is the intermediate host for nearly all Taenia spp?
Mammals
Taenia pisiformis in dogs
Known as the Rabbit tapeworm
What is the intermediate host of Taenia pisiformis?
Rabbit
How do dogs become infected with Taenia pisiformis?
by ingesting rabbits and hares
Taenia taeniaformis in cats
Known as the Rodent tapeworm
What is the intermediate host of Taenia taeniaformis?
Rodents
How do cats become infected with Taenia taeniaformis?
By ingesting rodents
What is the prepatent period of Taenia pisiformis?
1-2 months
What is the prepatent period of Taenia taeniaformis?
1-3 months
How do we diagnosis Taenia pisiformis and T. taeniaformis?
Fecal float
How do we treat Taenia pisiformis and T. taeniaformis?
Praziquantel
Are Taenia pisiformis and T. taeniaformis zoonotic?
No
What are the signs and symptoms of a Taenia pisiformis and T. taeniaformis?
Itching
Scooting
Potbelly
