Parasite Project :

Flea Tapeworm Egg

By : Isela Gonzalez
Date : 03/16/22
Period: 6th
Scientific Name / Common Name
- Dipylidium caninum is a common tapeworm of dogs and cats.
- It’s also very common in humans as well !
Transmission
- As the flea is digested in the dogs intestine, the tapeworm egg is release, it hatches,
and then anchors itself to the intestinal lining, therefore completing the life cycle.
- Some examples of how it can happen is for example if your grooming and a dog
inadvertently ingests the tapeworm infected flea that may happen.
Clinical Signs
- Some clinical signs is white mobile tapeworms in the feces or crawling around
their private part.
- Some signs is weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, dull coat, and visual tapeworms.
- If left untreated tapeworms can be very dangerous to your dogs and will cause
health problems for your dog or cat in their intestines.
Life Cycle
1) Gravid Proglottids are passed intact in the feces or emerge from the perianal
region of the host.
2) The proglottids distingerate and release the eggs packets which are found in feces.
3) Larvae ingests the egg packets which hatch and develop into cyticerods.
4) The flea larvae mature and turn into fleas.
5) Definitive host is infected by infestation of fleas.
6) They attach the scolex.
7) The cats/ dogs might pass it to the humans.
Zoonosis
- Yes it it transmittable to humans !
- However the risk of an infection of this tapeworm in humans is very low.
- If they accidently swallow an infected flea they will most likely catch it that way.
Visual Aid
Work Cited
“CDC - Dpdx - Dipylidium Caninum.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 10 July 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/dipylidium/index.html.

“CDC - Dipylidium - Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Sept. 2020,
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/dipylidium/faqs.html#:~:text=Yes%3B%20however%2C%20the%20risk%20of,human
s%20is%20through%20flea%20control.