Dipylidium caninum is a tapeworm that commonly infects dogs, cats and occasionally affects humans.

1. Dipylidium caninum
A.R. Deborah
BP211501

2. • Dipylidium caninum is a tapeworm that commonly infects dogs, cats and
occasionally affects humans.
• The first cases of Dipylidium caninum in humans were discovered in 1903
with several cases in Europe and one in U.S
• Common names : dog or cat tapeworm, double – pored – dog tapeworm,
cucumber seed tapeworm, flea tapeworm.
• Widespread intestinal parasite
• Dipylidiasis
• Intermediate host - Flea
• Hosts : dogs, cats and humans.
• Incubation period : approximately 20 days.
• Life cycle – dumb egg  playful child  wise adult

4. • The length of tapeworm is 10 – 70 cm.
• Scolex – conical shape and has four suckers.
• There is a rostellum armed with several rings of hooks (15 – 30hooks).
• Segments(Stroblia) – they contain two sets of male and female
reproductive organs (hermaphrodite segments).
• They demonstrate two genital pores that lead to their name as the
“double-pored”.
• Gravid segments – contains egg capsules. The number of eggs can range
from 5 to 30.
• The larvae of Diphylidium caninum are know as cysticercoids because the
scolex is enclosed in a fluid-filled cyst at this stage.

6. • Human infection – rare
• Asymptomatic
• Infection causes abdominal pain, diarrhea and anal itch.
• Diagnosis – examination of stool for characteristic segments and eggs
capsule.
• Treatment - Treatment for both animals and humans is simple and
very effective.
• A prescription drug called praziquantel is given, either orally or by
injection (pets only). The medication causes the tapeworm to dissolve
within the intestine.