Flea Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum)
– This is a common tapeworm found in dogs, foxes and cats. This tapeworm is
transmitted when a dog eats an infected flea or louse. It can be transmitted to humans.
– Parasite: Dipylidium caninum
– Common name: Flea tapeworm
– Host: dogs, foxes, cats, humans
– Incubation period: 2–3 weeks
– Site of adult worms: Small intestine
– Distribution: Worldwide
– Route of transmission: Ingestion of an infected flea or louse
– Transmission to humans: Yes
– Distribution
Worldwide.
– Clinical signs
Dipylidium caninum infection is usually asymptomatic. However, egg-containing proglottids passing through
the rectum will cause irritation, and the dog will often “scoot” and rub its bottom on the ground. In
rare cases, dogs with heavy infections may develop enteritis and/or intestinal blockage.
– Diagnosis
Can be diagnosed through history and clinical signs such as poor flea control, not deworming
with praziquantel, and finding proglottids in stool, bedding, or around the
anus. D. caninum proglottids can be distinguished from Taenia spp. proglottids by shape, and by having
two symmetrical genital pores located in the middle of each proglottid. Squeezing a gravid proglottid will reveal egg
packets. Occasionally, egg packets will be found via fecal flotation testing,
but this method is not very sensitive.
– Treatment
Treat D. caninum infection with praziquantel at 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks, until
the intermediate host is under control.
– Control
Can be controlled by keeping dogs and cats free of fleas (see the flea control
guide) and lice (see the lice control guide).
– Public health considerations
D. caninum infection, most often seen in children, occasionally occurs from ingesting an adult flea.
Children may be asymptomatic or have irritation around the anus and/or mild intestinal upset.
Proglottids may be observed in the stool or around the child’s anal area.
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