Tapeworms in the Feline

Tapeworms

These are complex animal parasites that have a life cycle requiring at least two 'hosts', to survive. The primary or intermediate host carries the 'larval' form of the parasite, often living in the most inner most tissues of this host. In most cases, this primary host, is eaten by the secondary or final host, with the tapeworm developing to an adult in the intestine of this final host. Because both cats are carnivores and by nature are creatures that will tend to eat others, they are invariably the final host. When we talk about cats having tapeworms we are assuming that they are final hosts with tapeworms in their intestines and that they have obtained the adult tapeworm, by at some time having eaten the 'larval' tapeworm in the primary host. The lifestyle of both the species and the individual will tend to dictate what type of tapeworm your pet may catch. Many tapeworms are species specific; i.e. they will form an adult tapeworm only in a specific species (perhaps the cat and not the dog).

Principal Northern European tapeworms

The principal tapeworms affecting acts and dogs in northern Europe can be divided into three groups.

1. Dipylidium caninum

This is the most common tapeworm of cats and dogs. The adult tapeworm lives in the small intestines of the cat and sheds segments which are usually 5-8mm long (this is actually the width of the tapeworm when the segment is attached to the adult) when passed out in the faeces. The segments are often shed inside your home where the eggs are released. These are eaten by flea larvae which crawl around inside the carpet and in cracks and crannies in flooring and skirting. The flea larvae acts as the intermediate host and will develop into an adult flea in due course. When the flea jumps onto and parasitises your pet, your pet is likely to eat the annoying flea and so contracts a tapeworm infestation. The life cycle of Dipylidium is only 3 weeks.

Dipylidium life cycle

The key to success in eradicating this Dipylidium from your pet is to understand the life cycle and to understand that you have to eliminate the flea to eliminate the worm. We would advise you to read Health Advice Parasitic Skin Conditions

Taenia species

There are a large number of Taenia species of tapeworm, of which a few affect cats. They have different intermediate and final hosts in many cases and it depends totally on your cat’s life style whether he or she will contact these worms. Cats, due to their hunting activities are very likely to gain this type of tapeworm. The life cycle varies depending on the species of Taenia tapeworm from 2 to 10 weeks. The segments vary in size depending on species but are often a cm in length.

Name of Tapeworm	Final host	Intermediate host
Taenia ovis	Dog	Sheep
Taenia multiceps	Dog	Sheep
Taenia serialis	Dog	Rabbit
Taenia hydatigena	Dog	Sheep, ox, pig
Taenia pisiformis	Dog /Cat	Rabbit
Taenia taeniaeformis	Cat	Mouse / Rat.

Echinococcus species

This group of tapeworms are a threat to human health; i.e. they are a zoonosis. For this reason owners of cats and dogs should be aware of them and should worm regularly as man can act as the intermediate host for this group of tapeworms. They are particularly prevalent in sheep rearing areas where cats may have access to infected dead sheep carcasses. If you live in a rural area. In, particular, we would recommend very regular worming against this parasite They have a life cycle of between 4 and 6 weeks and are so small in their adult form in the cat that you are unlikely to spot them. If your cat eats carrion, hunt or receive raw meat, do worm them regularly. The final host can be almost any type of cat, dog or wild canid and the intermediate host is man, herbivores (sheep, ox, deer), pig and man. In the intermediate host Echinococcus forms hydatid cysts, often in the liver and lungs. This can lead to organ failure and death. In Great Britain the problem is restricted and caused by Echinococcus granulosa. Elsewhere in Northern Europe the problem is more widespread and caused by another species, Echinococcus multiocularis.

Symptoms of tapeworm infection

Most tapeworms live in the small intestine of the final host, the cat. Heavy infestations in this area may cause diarrhoea, occasionally vomiting when large sections of the tapeworm may be vomited, unthriftiness and weight loss. More commonly low infestations can ocasionally cause anal irritation with the cat licking and chewing around the anal area or scooting (dragging backside along the ground). This is due to expulsion of the tapeworm segments which due to their sticky nature often attach to the skin and hair around the backside. When they first emerge they have a pearlescent white colour and contract along their length looking at times like a miniature dumb-bell. The contractions of the segment are highly irritating to the cat. After a while they dry and shrivel. A lot of people compare them with a grain of rice which changes from white to yellow with time.

Treatment

We believe that Droncit is probably the most broad spectrum product on the market and is recognised by the British Government as sufficiently efficacious to be used in the ‘Pet Travel Scheme’ and for Quarantine.

Frequency of worming

This again depends on its lifestyle and where you live. A rural, hunter of a cat may need to be wormed every month! We would recommend twice yearly worming as a minimum with worming every three months in any cat which regularly hunts.