Adult Parasite:

The adult worms measure up to 500 cm.

Taenia sp. proglottid

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Hosts:

Dogs, foxes (definitive).
Rabbits (intermediate).

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Life Cycle:

The rabbit ingests an egg. The egg hatches in the small intestine and the larval tapeworm burrows through the intestinal wall and travels to the subcutanenous and intramuscular connective tissue via the blood. The coenurus develops in the connective tissue. When the dog eats the rabbit and ingests the coenurus, the protoscolices attach to the small intestinal wall and the worms begin to form proglottids. Gravid proglottids, containing the eggs, detach from the end of the worm and pass out in the feces.

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Site in host where adult parasite is found:

The small intestine.

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Diagnostic Stage:

Proglottid or eggs.
Eggs are 38 - 32 um.

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Common Diagnostic Test

Gross examination of the proglottid.
Fecal flotation may bring up eggs if a gravid proglottid has been broken in the feces.

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Clinical Signs:

Usually asymptomatic.
Extremely heavy worm burdens in small dogs may cause blockage of the intestine.

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Treatment:

Epsiprantel, Praziquantel, Fenbendazole

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Comments or Questions please contact: Dr. Nolan at: