Chart: 6 zoonoses you should know-Tapeworm infection
Details about the tapeworms for technicians.
Common disease name
Tapeworm infection
(Tapeworms are worms with a dorsoventrally flattened, ribbonlike appearance.)
Scientific name
Dogs:Dipylidium caninum, Taenia crassiceps, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia multiceps, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia serialis, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis (relatively uncommon in dogs/zoonotic)
Cats:Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis, Echinococcus multilocularis
Method of infection
Dogs and cats: Ingestion of tissues of intermediate host (rabbits or rodents); ingestion of infected adult flea (Dipylidium caninum)
People: Ingestion of infected flea or tissues of intermediate host
Signs
Dogs and cats: Anal discomfort and itching that often results in pets dragging their hind ends across the floor
People: Most are asymptomatic, but diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anal pruritus are possible
Treatment
Praziquantel, epsiprantel, fenbendazole (dogs)
People most at risk
Children under the age of 8 years
Prevention
- Stringent adherence to controlling fleas and lice.
- Routine monthly deworming with praziquantel may be indicated for areas endemic to infections with Echinococcus species.
FDA approves oral drug for broad canine protection against parasites
October 7th 2024Elanco's lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets (Credelio Quattro) provide a single monthly dose for protection against fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and 3 species of tapeworm.
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