What is Dipylidium?
Dipylidium caninum is an intestinal flatworm (tapeworm) primarily affecting dogs but also common in domestic cats. It measures between 15 and 70 cm in length and attaches itself to the intestinal lining of the host through a scolex equipped with suckers and a retractable rostellum armed with 30 to 150 hooks.
How Do Cats Contract Dipylidium?
Cats become infected by accidentally ingesting fleas or lice carrying the parasite. When cats bite or groom themselves to relieve itching, they swallow these infected external parasites.
Life Cycle of the Parasite
Once ingested, the parasite is released into the cat’s intestine. Within two to three weeks, adult worms produce eggs in segments called proglottids, expelled in feces into the environment.
These eggs are then consumed by flea larvae or, less commonly, lice eggs. When these fleas mature and infest a cat, the Dipylidium eggs become infectious. If the cat ingests these fleas, the parasite’s life cycle restarts.
Without these intermediate hosts (fleas or lice), the parasite’s life cycle cannot continue.
Clinical Signs of Dipylidium in Cats
Typically, infections remain unnoticed, though some cats may exhibit:
- Anal itching caused by expelled worm segments.
- Observation of flat, rice-like worm segments in perianal hair or feces.
Diagnosing Dipylidium Infection
Diagnosis is confirmed through direct observation of worm segments in the cat’s perianal fur or feces.
Another method involves crushing a segment between a slide and coverslip to observe eggs microscopically, with each segment containing around 25 to 30 eggs.
Fecal flotation tests are often ineffective since segments are unevenly distributed, and eggs may not consistently float.
Is Dipylidium Contagious to Humans?
Yes, humans can contract Dipylidium by accidentally swallowing infected fleas. However, cat lice are species-specific and not transmissible to humans.
Treatment and Prevention
Although infections rarely cause serious symptoms, they should be treated for hygiene and aesthetic reasons. Several effective antiparasitic medications are available through veterinary prescription.
It’s crucial to concurrently treat fleas and lice on cats to avoid reinfection.
How to Prevent Dipylidium Infestation?
Effective prevention includes using monthly flea treatments, especially for outdoor-access cats, from spring through autumn to reduce infection risk.
Conclusion
Dipylidium is common in cats but effectively prevented through proper flea control. Consult your veterinarian for a tailored parasite prevention program for your pet.
