Canine Tapeworms - Life Cycle and Possible Causes

Tapeworms are dog parasites that normally invade the intestinal tract of the pet. Inside the tract they get attached to the intestine's inner walls. But, unlike the hookworms, they do not suck the blood of the animal.

The infestation in cats or dogs with tapeworm is scientifically named "Dipylidium caninum". You should know that the life cycle of this worm first begins the pet's anus. When the pet is doing a potty, a small part of the dog's worm eggs get into the stool. Then these eggs lay dormant in the feces. They can be there for some months till a flea or another animal touches them and gets infested. After that, it is an easy ride back to the pet's inner intestines.

This system is quite ingenious. The tapeworm goes and sticks itself to the intestinal walls of the host animal where it gets segmented and then breaks off into the waste. Also, fleas are very good carriers for tapeworm. In this way, pets get infected easily. If your pet is infected with this tapeworm, you need several de-worming treatments in order to clean all of them out. If you don't do the treatment properly, the worms will still regenerate and continue to reproduce and infect other hosts.

Possible Causes

After being infected, the dog will shed segments of the worms through bowel movements. The released segments release some eggs which can take fleas as hosts. The dogs can eat the fleas and get infested. The dog can even get infested by licking the flea larvae. When they itch, dogs can consume the fleas or chew on them. When the dog swallows the infected flea, the eggs are released into the pet's digestive system. There the eggs hatch.

Symptoms

Infested dogs usually experience some noticeable symptoms. You can see some rise like white spots in the feces. Those are worm segments. It is a clear sign of infestation. You can also see segments on the bedding or around the anus or fur. When the worm segments dry out, they turn gold. Another symptom is that the dog licks himself a lot around the anus. He may also scoot across the floor because he is itching. Some dogs even start to vomit when the infection is severe.

Diagnosis

Notice the feces and the symptoms but also take the pet to the vet. A feces analysis is required. This is why you need to collect some stools to be examined under the microscope. The vet will establish the right treatment. Treatment needs to start immediately after diagnosis.

Canine tapeworms
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