Dipylidium caninum

Dipylidium caninum
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Platyhelminthes
Class	Cestoda
Sub-class	Cyclophyllidea
Family	Dipylidiidae
Genus	Dipylidium
Species	D. caninum

Dipylidium caninum - Taenia of Dogs and Cats Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Also known as: Double-pored tapeworm — Cucumber seed tapeworm

Introduction

D. caninum is a very commonly seen parasite of dogs and cats, and of the class Cestoda. They are capable of growing up to 50cm in length in the small intestine. It is of minor clinical significance, causing no more than occasional anal irritation. Diarrhoea may result if the tapeworms are present in large numbers. The proglottids are motile and can upset owners when they drop onto the furniture or floor.

Identification

D. caninum resemble Taenia spp, but are considerably shorter than Taenia. D. caninum have a scolex and a proglottid, which are easily recognized in this species. This parasite also has two sets of genital organs.

The eggs are 25-50μm in length.

Life-Cycle

The oncospheres are within the egg packets. These are ingested by the intermediate host. They develop into cysticercoids, which is infective by the time that metamorphosis is complete.

Complete development in the intermediate hosts lasts around 1 month. The final host is infected via ingestion of the flea or louse, containing the cysticercoid.

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