Tapeworm
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Tapeworms are fairly large worms and sometimes worm sections are visible in pets faeces or around their rears.
So, why worm?
Tapeworm segments are not pleasant in your home, twitching and moving on the floor or worse still, on your bed! Moreover, these segments are sticky and can cause your pet to have an itchy bottom, and may lead to 'scooting'.
Well, for one type of tapeworm in particular, Echinococcus spp, there is a serious health risk if people accidentally get infected (THE HUMAN RISK). There are three important tapeworms that can affect pets in the UK:
Dipylidium caninum
This is the 'flea' tapeworm, so called as the common household flea is an integral part of this worm's lifecycle. Your pet may become infected if while grooming, it accidentally eats a flea! If your pet is regularly flea treated as well as wormed, this should eliminate the risk of infection.
Taenia species
These worms can affect small rodents, sheep and cattle in the UK. Dogs and cats pick up infection from scavenging, from being fed raw meat or from hunting infected small rodents. If your pet is fed raw meat, scavenges or hunts it is important that they are wormed regularly.
Echinococcus granulosus:
This is a sheep and dog tapeworm, found in Wales and the Hebrides. Dogs are infected if they come into contact with worm eggs, for example through scavenging or eating uncooked meat. If the eggs are accidentally ingested by people (see THE HUMAN RISK), this parasite can form a large cyst full of larvae in the person's liver or lungs. One 'hydatid cyst' can grow as big as a football over a number of years, causing pain and limiting normal activity. These cysts usually require surgical removal.
What about if my pet travels abroad?
Echinococcus multilocularis is another species of tapeworm found in Europe and other foreign countries.
If people get infected, this worm causes even more serious disease whereby multiple cysts spread throughout the body. If left untreated, this can be fatal (see THE HUMAN RISK).
How will I know my pet is infected?
Remember you will not always know if a tapeworm infection is present in your pet however the following may occur:
- you may see your pet 'scooting'; a method of itching their bottoms
- your pet may spend more time than normal cleaning it's bottom due to the irritation from worm egg segments
- you may actually see the tapeworm segments on your pet or in your house. They are approximately the size of a grain of rice
What can I do?
Worming regularly with a product with suitable tapeworm activity will reduce the risk of infection in your pet.
Do speak to your vet to ensure your product choice and worming frequency is suitable for your pet's lifestyle. If you live in Wales or Hebrides areas or take your dog to these areas then you should pay particular attention to your Vet's advice.
If you are planning on travelling abroad with your pet, make sure you talk to your vet about appropriate precautions that must be taken. You will need to follow the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme, one of which is to treat for Echinococcus multilocularis to prevent spread into the UK. Make sure you talk to your vet well before you intend to travel to ensure all the appropriate paper work and processes are followed to allow your pet to travel with you.
Fact to make you wriggle
Up to 23% of farm dogs have been reported to be infected with Echinococcus tapeworm in some areas of Wales.3.
(3) Health of Wales information service website: www.wales.nhs.uk
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