Changes

{{unfinished}}

{{OpenPagesTop}}

{{toplink

{{Taxobox

|backcolour =

|name              =''Dipylidium caninum

|linkpage =Parasites

|kingdom            =Animalia

|linktext =PARASITES

|phylum            =Platyhelminthes

|pagetype=Bugs

|class              =[[Cestodes|Cestoda]]

|sublink1=Cestodes

|subtext1=CESTODES

|super-family      =

|family            =Dipylidiidae

|species            ='''''D. caninum'''''

}}

}}

== ''Dipylidium caninum'' ==

==Introduction==

=== Significance ===

''D. caninum'' is a very commonly seen parasite of dogs and cats, and of the class [[Cestodes|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.

''D. caninum'' is a very common parasite of dogs and cats, growing to 50cm long 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.

The eggs are 25-50μm in length.

The gravid segments can be differentiated from those of Taenia spp as they are:

*oval in shape

*have two lateral genital pores.

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

The egg packets are likely to be dropped in the same places as the eggs of the intermediate host, the flea. When ingested by the flea larvae, the oncosphere transforms to a cysticercoid which is infective by the time that metamorphosis is complete. Flea infestation provokes exaggerated grooming behaviour and the cat or dog becomes infected with Dipylidium, when it swallows an infected flea. Prevention of re-infection therefore requires advice on flea control.

 

|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=title%3A%28%22Dipylidium+caninum%22%29 ''Dipylidium caninum'' publications]

|Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/canis/search?s=tapeworm Cestoda]