Cucumber Tapeworm in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment
The cucumber tapeworm, also referred to as cucumber seed tapeworm, flea tapeworm or double-pored tapeworm, is a parasite that can also affect cats and can cause very unpleasant digestive problems in affected four-legged friends.
You will learn below how the cucumber tapeworm gets into your cat's body and what treatment methods will help in this case. We also give you tips for parasite prevention.
Cucumber tapeworm in cats – the main points at a glance
- The cucumber tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) belongs to the genus of tapeworms.
- Cats become infected with cucumber tapeworm by swallowing fleas.
- The symptoms of an infestation with Dipylidium caninum include in particular digestive problems and itching in the anal area.
- In addition to the worm infection, the cat's flea infestation must also be treated.
- Since conventional antiparasitic medication is a great burden for the organism, it makes sense to use natural alternatives.
How do cats get infected with cucumber tapeworm?
The cucumber tapeworm, which belongs to the genus of tapeworms, is sometimes also referred to as the flea tapeworm. Its scientific name is Dipylidium caninum. The parasites primarily infest dogs, but they can also affect cats.
Adult cucumber tapeworms can reach a length of 10 to 70 centimetres in the cat's intestine with a width of about three millimetres. Like all tapeworms, cucumber tapeworms consist of a head and numerous individual segments called proglottids.
The proglottids fill with eggs, detach, and are then defecated by the cat. After they have dried out, they finally release the worm eggs they contain so that they can spread via suitable intermediate hosts.
Fleas serve as intermediate hosts for the cucumber tapeworm. The larvae of the fleas ingest the worm eggs. From these eggs, the larvae of the cucumber tapeworm, known as cysticercoids, develop inside the flea.
If your cat has fleas and swallows the skin parasites infected with worm larvae, the larvae of the cucumber tapeworm eventually reach the small intestine of the four-legged friend via the digestive tract. There they attach themselves to the intestinal wall and grow into adult worms within about three weeks.
Symptoms of an infestation with cucumber tapeworms in cats
An infestation with Cucumber tapeworms can cause your cat a variety of symptoms. Depending on the severity of the infestation, the symptoms can vary or sometimes even not appear at all.
A heavy infestation of cucumber tapeworms in your cat can manifest itself with the following symptoms, among others:
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Itching on the anus
- Abdominal pain
- Listlessness
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
The itching is caused by the tapeworm segments which are emerging from the infested cat's anus. These can get stuck on the fur of the four-legged friend and dry there. The proglottids, which are easily visible to the naked eye, are white to yellowish and their shape resembles that of a grain of rice.
How is cucumber tapeworm in cats treated?
If your four-legged friend suffers from the symptoms mentioned above, it is of course advisable that you take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. If they have confirmed your suspicions, the next step is to eliminate the worm infestation in your cat.
For this purpose, deworming of the four-legged friend is necessary. The veterinarian can choose between different products. Note that many conventional dewormers contain chemical agents. These eliminate existing cucumber tapeworms. In addition, however, they also put a considerable strain on your cat's organism.
For this reason, it makes sense to favour natural alternatives whenever possible. Special herbal mixtures can create an intestinal environment in your four-legged friend that is hostile to worms and thus gently rid them of the annoying cucumber tapeworms.
Eliminating fleas
Since the cause of your cat's worm infection is a flea infestation, it is essential for the permanent elimination of the intestinal parasites that the fleas are also removed effectively.
In addition to a flea comb, with which you can comb the parasites and their eggs out of the cat's fur, there are various products such as flea shampoos, spot-on treatments and tablets for this purpose.
However, it should be noted that only a very small proportion of ectoparasites are actually on the cat's body. The vast majority is found in the form of eggs, larvae and pupae in the environment of the four-legged friend. This means that you not only have to rid your cat of fleas, but also your home.
Above all, objects such as sleeping places, scratching posts, upholstered furniture and beds as well as pillows and blankets are very often contaminated with fleas. Apart from that, the small parasites can also be found in carpets and cracks in the floor.
How can an infestation with cucumber tapeworm in cats be avoided?
If you want to prevent your cat from contracting cucumber tapeworm, the number one priority is to avoid flea infestation. A regular check of the coat is essential in this context, especially for cats that go outside. That being said, natural products, such as supplements high in lauric acid, can help reduce the likelihood of flea infestations.
In addition, it makes sense to deworm your cat prophylactically at regular intervals. This should be done four times a year for outdoor cats, while two prophylactic dewormings a year are sufficient for indoor cats due to the lower risk of infection.
In view of the strain on the organism associated with conventional worming treatments, we recommend that you use natural preparations for prophylactic deworming of your cat.
Can cats pass on cucumber tapeworm to humans?
In theory, it is possible for cats to infect their owners with cucumber tapeworm. This relatively rare, however, the risk of this should not be underestimated, especially in children. Infection with cucumber tapeworm can sometimes cause serious digestive problems in humans.
Cucumber tapeworm in cats – our conclusion
As you can see, it is important to take your cat's potential cucumber tapeworm infestation seriously. After all, the intestinal parasites are very unpleasant for the four-legged friend. They also deprive the animal of important nutrients, which in the long run can lead to further health problems.
Please note, however, that in order to successfully eliminate the worm infestation, you must also take action against fleas on your cat, otherwise it can keep getting reinfected with the cucumber tapeworm.
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