Dipylidium caninum Zach Mess

Taxonomy KINGDOM  Animalia KINGDOM  Animalia PHYLUM  Platyhelminthes PHYLUM  Platyhelminthes CLASS  Cestoda CLASS  Cestoda ORDER  cyclophyllidea ORDER  cyclophyllidea FAMILY  hymenoleopididae FAMILY  hymenoleopididae GENUS  Dipylidium GENUS  Dipylidium SPECIES  caninum SPECIES  caninum

General Tape worm of cats and dogs Tape worm of cats and dogs Common names: Common names: Cucumber Worm Cucumber Worm Double-pore Worm Double-pore Worm

Background Geographic Range Geographic Range Anywere cats and/or Anywere cats and/or dogs are present Europe Europe Latin america Latin america East asia East asia South aftrica South aftrica United states United states -Definitive host -Dogs -Cats -Intermediate host -Fleas -Transmission - Ingestion of infected flea (humans and animals) - Usually happens while grooming

Background -Definitive host -Dogs -Cats -Intermediate host -Fleas -Transmission - Ingestion of infected flea (Humans and pets) - Ctenocephalides canis (dogs) - Ctenocephalides felis (cats) - Usually happens while grooming

Structure (adult) Adult worm ~ 18 in. Adult worm ~ 18 in. Head  Scolex Head  Scolex With armed rostellum With armed rostellum 4 rows of spikes 4 rows of spikes 4 suction discs 4 suction discs Segmented body (barrel shaped) Segmented body (barrel shaped) Segments called proglottids Segments called proglottids Initially trapazoid shaped  elongate as gravid proglottis formed Initially trapazoid shaped  elongate as gravid proglottis formed Proglottids contain both male and female sex organs (hermaphroditic) Proglottids contain both male and female sex organs (hermaphroditic) Posterior proglotids completely filled with egg packets Posterior proglotids completely filled with egg packets Dipylidiidae

Adult worm

Double-pore Worm

Life Cycle

Life Cycle Breakdown Intact gravid proglottids pass in feces Intact gravid proglottids pass in feces Proglottid releases egg packet containing oncospheres Proglottid releases egg packet containing oncospheres Ingestion of egg pack by flea larva Ingestion of egg pack by flea larva Oncophere hatces in larva, passes through intestinal wall and developes into cysticercoid in body cavity Oncophere hatces in larva, passes through intestinal wall and developes into cysticercoid in body cavity Larva mature into adult flea (with infective cysticercoid) Larva mature into adult flea (with infective cysticercoid) Ingestion of infected flea by cat, dog, or human Ingestion of infected flea by cat, dog, or human Digestion of flea releasing cysticercoid Digestion of flea releasing cysticercoid Cysticercoid developes into adult worm in small intestine and attaches to intestivnal wall Cysticercoid developes into adult worm in small intestine and attaches to intestivnal wall Eventually developes gravid proglottids which are passed in feces Eventually developes gravid proglottids which are passed in feces

Clinical Signs Most cases are asymptomatic Most cases are asymptomatic Including cats/dogs Including cats/dogs Severe infections can exhibit: Severe infections can exhibit: Abdominal pain Abdominal pain Diarrhea Diarrhea Itchy anus Itchy anus Urticaria Urticaria Red rash / welts Red rash / welts Extremely itchy Extremely itchy Caused by body’s allergic reaction to worm antibodies Caused by body’s allergic reaction to worm antibodies

Diagnosis Observe gravid proglottids in stool, or near anus Observe gravid proglottids in stool, or near anus White White Shaped like cucumber seed\ Shaped like cucumber seed\ Usually intact Usually intact Observe ova in fecal smear Observe ova in fecal smear

Treatment Praziquantil Praziquantil Very effective Very effective Tolerated well in both pets and humans Tolerated well in both pets and humans Humans = oral Humans = oral Pets = injection Pets = injection Can dissolve worm so it may not be seen in stool Can dissolve worm so it may not be seen in stool

Control Vector control! Vector control! Control fleas on pet and in pets environment Control fleas on pet and in pets environment May take up to a month to get rid of all fleas May take up to a month to get rid of all fleas Pet may need more than one treatment Pet may need more than one treatment Teach children to wash hands after playing with pets Teach children to wash hands after playing with pets Dispose of pet waste properly Dispose of pet waste properly

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