Cats and dogs can contract cestodes, a type of parasitic worm. Animal intestines contain these flatworms, also referred to as tapeworms. They adhere to intestinal walls and take up nutrients, which can cause your pet’s health to deteriorate in a number of ways.
These worms cause a condition called cestodiasis. Pets ingesting fleas or small animals carrying tapeworm larvae are frequently the cause of it. While some pets might not exhibit any symptoms, others might lose weight, throw up, or have other digestive problems.
Maintaining the health of your pet depends on your knowledge of how these parasites affect animals and how to prevent infection. Frequent examinations, managing flea infestations, and maintaining good hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of cestodes and the consequences of cestodiasis in cats and dogs.
Cestode tapeworms: the structure of organs and systems
The lifestyle of cestode tapeworms has evolved to become parasitic. Remember that different diseases can be caused by the same cestode in both its mature and larval stages.
The image illustrates how the ribbon-shaped bodies of cestodes and trematodes differ from one another:
There may be variations in the helminths’ sizes.
The head, neck, and segments make up the cestode’s body structure. One parasite’s members can be seen in quantities ranging from a few pieces to a thousand.
The organs of fixation are four muscular suckers and chitinous hooks.
The segments of tapeworms can vary in shape depending on the species and general traits of the parasites. They are typically quadrangular.
The parenchyma, which is required to fill the gaps between the reproductive system’s organs, is found inside the cuticle-covered muscular layer that covers the outside of cestodes’ bodies.
Nerve trunks branch out from a central node that makes up the nervous system.
There is no respiratory, circulatory, or digestive system. The entire surface of the cestode is used by the host’s intestines to absorb nutrients.
The cells that make up the excretory system have ciliated epithelium. Their final ducts consist of four canals that are also connected by transverse canals.
These helminths have an elaborate reproductive system that is designed to be hermaphrodite. In each segment, the majority of tapeworms have a single system of male and female genital organs, though occasionally there may be two. The reproductive system’s distinct development in cestodes is another characteristic of their structure. The genitalia are absent from the youngest segments, which are located behind the neck.
Hydatigerosis in cats and dogs
General data.
Hydatigerosis is caused by tapeworms that live in the small intestine. Dogs can occasionally become ill, but cats are more prone to this cestodiasis.
When the parasites are in their larval stage, they are typically found in the liver of intermediate hosts (rodents such as rats and mice) and less frequently in the chest and abdomen cavities.
Eating segments and eggs containing helminth eggs infects intermediate hosts. Eating the internal organs of intermediate hosts allows the definitive hosts—dogs and cats—to contract the infection. Parasites can survive anywhere from seven months to two years in a cat’s intestine.
This disease is quite common because of the absence of appropriate veterinary and sanitary measures, as well as the abundance of rodents and stray cats in every city.
Clinical manifestations
Young cats are most vulnerable to hidatigerosis. Intestinal obstruction and digestive disorders are occasionally observed.
Studying the epizootological situation and looking through the animal’s feces are important steps in the diagnosis process.
These images depict dogs and cats with cestode infections:
Both prevention and treatment.
For deworming cats and dogs, phenasal, bunamidine hydrochloride, droncit or azinox should be used.
For the treatment of this cestodiasis, phenasal is typically prescribed at a dosage of 0.3 g/kg once daily. The treatment lasts for seven to ten days.
Deworming cats is required 10 days prior to lambing or before mating.
It is advised to quickly eradicate rodents from areas where they can reside (basements, cellars) in order to prevent this cestodiasis. Places that house muskrats, laboratory mice, and nutria should be off limits to pets.
Hymenolepiasis in Pets
General data.
The most prevalent tapeworm infection in pets is dwarf tapeworm disease, or hymenolepiasis. The tiniest tapeworm is this one.
The animals most vulnerable to this cestodiasis are dogs, cats, and small rodents.
Clinical signs and symptoms.
Only after a laboratory examination of the feces under a microscope can a precise diagnosis be made. Since the separated terminal segments can be broken down in the intestine, the helminths are not visible to the naked eye. When there is little damage, the illness progresses without causing any symptoms; however, diarrhea and persistent intestinal inflammation may start as a result of intestinal damage.
Both prevention and treatment.
In cats and dogs, phenasal or bithionol is administered once daily at a dosage of 0.3 g/kg to treat this cestodiasis. The therapy lasts for ten days.
It is advised to periodically treat every animal for tapeworms when keeping them in the same home as dogs and cats.
Mesocestoidosis disease
General data.
Tapeworms that parasitize the small intestine of definitive (main) hosts are the cause of mesocestoidosis. These parasites’ larvae are found in the diaphragm, intestines, liver, lymph nodes, and walls of blood vessels in addition to the chest and abdomen cavities.
The disease primarily affects dogs and cats.
The definitive (dogs, cats, and certain other animals), intermediate (armored mites), and additional hosts (reptiles, birds, and rodents) all contribute to the development of parasites. It is possible for certain rodents to serve as reservoir hosts. Animals with parasite infections release eggs, which soil mites consume. In four months, a cystocercoid forms within the body of a soil mite. Then, by chance, ticks carry food into the bodies of other hosts, where tetrathyridia develop. Carnivores such as dogs can contract the disease by consuming the meat of infected hosts.
Clinical signs and symptoms.
When dogs and cats have a severe cestode infection, dystrophic processes are seen in the intestines where villi necrosis takes place. Severe dyspepsia and intestinal blockage are the primary symptoms.
The methods of Fülleborn’s ovoscopy and helminthoscopy—the identification of parasite segments in feces—are employed to diagnose this cestodiasis.
Both prevention and treatment.
Dogs should receive a dosage of 4 mg/kg of hydrogen bromide arecoline. Following a 12-hour fast, this medication should be administered with milk, minced meat, or other food—but not with dry food!.
In order to prevent vomiting in animals, aminazine at a dosage of 5 mg/kg should be subcutaneously administered 30 minutes prior to using arecoline. If required, 0.1 ml/kg of a 0.04% carbachol solution can be administered subcutaneously to induce a quick bowel movement.
Fenasal has a positive outcome. The result of mixing this medication with water is an unstable suspension. Due to fenasal’s low toxicity, there won’t be any abnormalities even if the dosage is taken more than five times. The medication should be taken orally once with meals at a dose of 0.2 g per kg.
Lopatol is produced in the form of a fine crystalline powder of beige color without odor. It is prescribed once orally at a dosage of 200 mg per kg with food.
Praziquantel, which is administered to animals once with food at a dosage of 5 mg/kg, is the most efficient and dependable of the many chemical drugs that are used to treat cestocidal infections.
For the treatment of this kind of cestodiasis, febantel is recommended at a dosage of 10 mg/kg once daily with food. Three days are allotted to the treatment. Another way to use this medication is as a suspension made with water.
In both dogs and cats, azinox is used at every stage of cestode development. A single dosage of 5 mg/kg is recommended, along with food.
Cestex is recommended at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg for dogs and 1.25 mg/kg for treating cats infected with cestodes. It is given once along with food.
Dogs are prescribed phenasal at a dosage of 0.25 g/kg, while cats are prescribed 0.1-0.15 g/kg. Additionally, it must be taken once with food.
Bunamidine hydrochloride can be used at a dose of 25–50 mg/kg to treat diseases brought on by cestodes. The medication should be administered twice at a 4-day interval along with minced meat. It is advised to first dissolve it in hot water.
It’s against the law to feed animals raw poultry meat without a diagnosis in order to prevent dogs and cats from contracting mesocestoidosis.
To stop cats from consuming rats, they must be eliminated from the household.
| Topic | Description |
| Cestodes | Flatworms, also known as tapeworms, that live in the intestines of animals. |
| Cestodiasis | An infection caused by cestodes, leading to symptoms like weight loss, digestive problems, and poor coat condition in pets. |
| Transmission | Animals usually get infected by eating fleas, lice, or raw meat containing tapeworm larvae. |
| Treatment | Veterinary-prescribed medications effectively eliminate tapeworms. |
| Prevention | Regular deworming, flea control, and avoiding raw meat can help prevent cestodiasis. |
Flatworm parasites called cestodes can seriously harm an animal’s health, especially in cats and dogs. These parasites can cause a disease known as cestodiasis and are frequently found in the intestines. Even though many animals may not exhibit any symptoms at first, if cestodiasis is left untreated, it can eventually lead to weight loss, digestive issues, and other health issues.
The best defense against cestodes in pets is early detection and prevention. Frequent deworming can help lower the risk, as can close observation of their environment and food. Additionally, it’s critical to see a veterinarian as soon as any strange symptoms arise because prompt care can avert more severe consequences.
Pet owners can guarantee that their cats and dogs remain healthy and free from these bothersome parasites by being informed and adopting preventive measures. Animal safety can be greatly increased by taking easy precautions like regular veterinary checkups and good hygiene.
Cats and dogs can become infected with cestodes, also referred to as tapeworms, which are parasitic flatworms that cause a disease called cestodiasis. Pets who have these parasites attached to their intestinal wall frequently experience weight loss, digestive disorders, and other health issues. Effectively preventing and treating infections requires an understanding of the mode of transmission of cestodes, which is usually through fleas or consumption of infected animals. Frequent deworming, proper grooming, and flea control are crucial measures in protecting pets against these parasites.
