Tapeworms In Cats

Tapeworms in cats have a flattened, segmented body that grows from a small pointed head embedded in the intestinal wall. Dipylidium, common in cats, can reach a length of 50cm.

As the tapeworm grows segments break off from the rear and are passed by the cat. The segments are mobile and full of eggs but soon dry, when they look like grains of rice, and then burst releasing the eggs into the environment. The eggs are eaten by flea larvae where they develop into cysts. They remain dormant until an adult flea is eaten by a cat during grooming, whereupon the cyst develops into an adult tapeworm in the intestine of the cat.

The flea is the only intermediate host, there is no cat to cat spread.

Taenia, a longer and thicker tapeworm than Dipylidum is picked up from infected prey such a small rodents and carrion. If your can is a regular hunter you must make sure it is routinely wormed.

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