Dog tapeworm

Definitive host: Humans

Intermediate host: Dogs and cat fleas.

Prevalence & Distribution: It is the common parasite of the domestic dog. The distribution of dog tapeworm cannot be restricted to one particular country but is seen to affect humans when they are in close association with the animal.

Mode of infection: The eggs of the dog tapeworm are present in the dog's feces, which are consumed by the fleas. The eggs hatch out and the larvae (cysticerci) grow in to the immature tapeworm within the body of the flea. These fleas then bite the dogs, which swallow them. Once the cysticerci reach the dog's intestine, they grow into adult tapeworms. Sometimes the fleas harbor the segments containing the eggs, which are ingested by the dogs and are capable of limited movements. This result in intense itching and the dog drag their backsides along the ground to relive the itching, which crushes the segments and releases the eggs out in the environment. Human beings get infected with the larval stage of the tapeworm by accidentally swallowing the fleas. This usually occurs when they allow the dogs to lick them and while crushing the fleas in between the fingernails. Once inside the human they grow into adult tapeworms.

Symptoms:

Mostly it is asymptomatic but some people, especially those with low immunity show symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, weakness, fatigue etc.

Tapeworm Infections - References

MEDIC8 - (http://www.medic8.com/)

Published on Sep 13, 2014
Last Updated on Sep 13, 2014

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

APA

Dr. Sangamithra. (2014, September 13). Tapeworm Infections - Dog tapeworm. Medindia. Retrieved on May 23, 2022 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/tapeworm_dog.htm.
MLA

Dr. Sangamithra. "Tapeworm Infections - Dog tapeworm". Medindia. May 23, 2022. <https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/tapeworm_dog.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Sangamithra. "Tapeworm Infections - Dog tapeworm". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/tapeworm_dog.htm. (accessed May 23, 2022).
Harvard
Dr. Sangamithra. 2021. Tapeworm Infections - Dog tapeworm. Medindia, viewed May 23, 2022, https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/tapeworm_dog.htm.

<< Dwarf / Rat tapeworm

Cat Tapeworm >>

Do you wish to consult a Pathologist for your problem? Ask your question

Dr. Sumit Kumar

MD
7 years experience
Shree Ram Clinic , Indira gandhi nagar

Teleconsult Now View Profile

Dr. Sirisha

MBBS, MD
8 years experience
Amma Arogyadham, Police station road

Teleconsult Now View Profile

View All

Post a Comment

Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. The editorial team reserves the right to review and moderate the comments posted on the site.

person

i had repeated sins infections since moving in with a friend with a cat.recently i felt 'hair' moving in my thoat. that was when i could tell i had a parasite. the dr. tried to say it was just another sinus infection. so, i purchaced paragone and took double doses of it while fasting, then some milk of magnesia to pass them thru. then took 2 stool samples and insisted the dr. have them examined. the 1st dr. said it was sinus. the 2nd dr. said i didn't have them before even looking. i had to be persistant. i took the medication prescribed[mabendazole]. i feel there is alot less 'hair' moving in my throat but i can still feel them.

Reply | Forward

AllHopeIsGone

where are they from? Where can you get these paracites? What part of the world?

guest

it is every where acually the only way to get it is if u eat meat that isnt fully cooked and is infected by the paracites.. even if its infected u can eat it.. the heat from when u cook the meat kills it so make sure its cooked fully.

chritine

that is not true. fully cooked pork can still infect a person. if u pet an infected animal, the eggs can make their way to the person..many different ways they can be transmitted.

canadia421

well. it sounds like you have a serious problem. im sorry that you are experiencing sickness. you spelled diarrhea wrong. that irks me. but you should go to a doctor to get that checked out. not ask random people that you dont even know online. thats not to smart. theres alot of creeps out there that could tell you something completely bizzar to hurt you because, well, their creepers. the common sense thing to do would be to go to your family doctor and get it diagnosed. thats what i would do anyway. but have fun finding out what it is. sorry about this rude comment. it just annoys me how people would trust strangers to ask for help. BYE!

Well, you spelled bazaar wrong. That irks me.

Well, you spelled bizarre wrong too. That irks me more.

Could it be that all of you are spelling brassiere wrong? I believe I am definitely the most irked.

*" They're creepers...not their" I'm glad you know how to spell diarrhea, what an accomplishment!

you all are stupid for arguing about dumb stuff... go to a dictionary if you want to learn how to spell a word, not fight about it on a freaking website. how old are we now? im 18 and i know this. thanks for ur time.. and please stop arguing over the computer although funny, very stupid and childish :]

Thanks for the entertainment. I particularly like "brassiere". Even if that wasn't meant to be funny... it was!

somebody

try cocoanut..less caffine and an english class.

mspurrty

I am worried that I may possibly have a tapeworm but IÂ´m not sure. I am visiting a foreign country and have been eating all types of different foods. This last week I have been experienceing sickness. Symptoms of diarrhoea, fatigue, loss of appetite, dizzyness and fever. I only felt all of these symptoms for two days but I am still experiencing Diarrhoea and fatigue after a week. I took medicine to help control it but it didntÂ´help much. I have not witnessed any type of worm in my stool. IÂ´m worried that it can possibly be a tapeworm. IÂ´m freaked out at the thought of it. Any advise what this may possibly be?

Yep. Definitely tapeworm.