What does tapeworm look like

The eggs hatch into larvae and make their way into the gut or outside, and infect other parts of the body. This type of infection is most common with tapeworms that come from infected pigs, and much less common if the original host was cattle or fish. If the meat or fish have larvae cysts and is undercooked or raw, the cysts can reach the intestine where they mature into adult tapeworms.

Fish tapeworm infection is more common in countries where the consumption of raw fish is common practice, such as Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Japan.

Undercooked or raw freshwater fish such as salmon, are the most common sources. The dwarf tapeworm can be transmitted from human to human. It is the only tapeworm that can go through its entire life cycle in one single host. Dwarf tapeworm infection is the most common tapeworm infection globally.

Fleas and some types of beetles may pick up the eggs by eating the droppings of infected rats or mice. These insects can infect humans. The insects are referred to as intermediate hosts and the tapeworm transitions from egg to the adult stage. This type of infection occurs with dwarf tapeworms and is much more common in areas where hygiene practices are poor. During treatment, humans can reinfect themselves if they do not follow good hygiene practices. The eggs will be present in human stool.

If the individual does not wash their hands after going to the toilet, there is a risk of reinfection. The type of tapeworm will influence the area of the body that is infected and how severe the symptoms are. Any individual who suspects tapeworm infection or has the symptoms described above should see their doctor.

Some patients may notice infection themselves by checking their stool for parts of the adult tapeworm. However, a doctor is still needed to check the stool by sending samples to a lab. Taking a medicine that kills the tapeworm is normally enough to ensure that the body will remove the tapeworm in stools.

There are different types of tapeworm. One fish tapeworm can cause anemia because it uses up the vitamin B12 that a person needs to make red blood cells. The eggs of another type of tapeworm pork tapeworm cause a disease called cysticercosis sis-tuh-ser-KOE-sis. This happens when pork tapeworm eggs from poop get into someone's mouth.

It doesn't happen from eating contaminated pork. They hatch into larvae, then go through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. From there they can travel to different organs in the body, such as muscles, eyes, or brain, where they form cysts. This can lead to:. To diagnose a tapeworm infection, doctors will collect and examine a stool sample on 3 different days to check for tapeworm eggs or pieces of worm. They may also do a blood test. Doctors treat tapeworm infections with prescription anti-parasite drugs.

Often, one dose is enough. For cysticercosis that causes hydrocephalus excess fluid in the brain , doctors may put in a shunt to drain excess fluid. Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. Tapeworms in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention. Dec 21, 4 Minutes. What are Tapeworms? There is a cycle through which dogs get tapeworms: First, the dog will ingest a host that is harboring tapeworm eggs, most often an adult flea.

There are a few ways a dog might ingest a flea, such as self-grooming, or grooming a canine or feline housemate. Other animals that are potential transmitters of eggs include birds, rabbits, or rodents, which even a well-fed dog might scavenge for. There it will develop into an adult. The adult tapeworm is made up of lots of small segments, each about the size of a grain of rice, called proglottids.

Adult tapeworms usually measure anywhere from four to 28 inches in length. Since these segments contain tapeworm eggs, the cycle will begin again, with a new host and most likely a new recipient. Diagnosis and Treatment of Tapeworms in Dogs Have you ever wondered why your veterinarian asks you to do the unpleasant task of collecting and bringing in a fecal sample for an annual physical? Prevention of Tapeworms in Dogs The best way to avoid a tapeworm infestation is to keep your dog free of flea infestation.

General Health. Tapeworm Dewormer praziquantel tablets for Cats. Tapeworm Dewormer praziquantel tablets for Dogs. Over the Counter Dewormers. Master Brand. Share on. Intro Text. How Do Dogs Get Tapeworms? Learn more. Your dog eats a flea carrying the tapeworm larva. Developing fleas in the environment ingest the eggs before jumping on your dog.