SkipdirectlytositecontentSkipdirectlytopageoptionsSkipdirectlytoA-ZlinkParasites-DipylidiumInfection(alsoknownasDogandCatFleaTapeworm)SectionNavigationCDCHomeFacebookTwitterLinkedInSyndicateDipylidiumFAQsMinusRelatedPages OnThisPageWhatisthemostcommonkindoftapewormdogsandcatsget?HowdidmypetgettheDipylidiumtapeworm?HowwouldIknowifmypethasatapeworminfection?Whatkindofproblemsdotapewormscauseforthedog?Howistapeworminfectiondiagnosedinmypet?CanIgetatapeworminfectionfrommypet?Howistapeworminfectiontreated?WhatshouldIdoifIthinkmychildisinfectedwithtapeworms?Howcantapeworminfectionbeprevented?Whatisthemostcommonkindoftapewormdogsandcatsget?ThemostcommontapewormofdogsandcatsintheUnitedStatesiscalledDipylidiumcaninum.Infectioniscommonandfoundthroughouttheworld.HowdidmypetgettheDipylidiumtapeworm?Byswallowingafleainfectedwithatapewormlarvae.Adogorcatmayswallowafleawhileself-grooming.Oncethefleaisdigestedbythedogorcat,thelarvaltapewormisabletodevelopintoanadulttapeworm.Theadulttapewormismadeupofmanysmallsegments,calledproglottids,eachaboutthesizeofagrainofrice.Adulttapewormsmaymeasure4-28inchesinlength.Asthetapewormmaturesinsidetheintestine,thesesegments(proglottids)breakoffandpassintothestool.HowwouldIknowifmypethasatapeworminfection?AlthoughcatsanddogsarerarelyillasaresultofaDipylidiumtapeworminfection,theproglottidscansometimesbeseencrawlingneartheanusoronthesurfaceofafreshbowelmovement.Proglottidscontaintapewormeggs;theseeggsarereleasedintotheenvironmentwhentheproglottiddriesout.Thedriedproglottidsaresmall(about2mm),hardandyellowishincolorandcansometimesbeseenstucktothefuraroundthepet’sanus.Whatkindofproblemsdotapewormscauseforthedog?Tapewormsarenotusuallyharmfultoyourpet.Weightlossmayoccurifyourpetisheavilyinfected.Sometimes,aninfecteddogwill“scoot”ordragitsanusacrossthegroundorcarpetbecausethesegmentsareirritatingtotheskininthisarea.Occasionally,aportionofthistapewormwillbepassedwhenthedogvomits.Ifthishappens,awormseveralincheslongmaybeseen.Howistapeworminfectiondiagnose