Dipylidium caninum 5 19.jpg

Taxonomy: f. Dilepididae
Animal: Dipylidium caninum 5 19.jpg
Sites: Gut
Comment:
Dipylidium caninum gravid segments. barrel shaped 13 - 7 x 3 mm on the faeces of a dog, the definitive host. Flea larvae are attracted to these segments and eat them thus becoming infected with the eggs contained in the segments and the parasite develops in the flea which when eaten by a dog, cat or human completes the life cycle of the parasite. If D.caninum is suspected (especially in children with vague abdominal symptoms and close contact with dogs or cats), examine bedding or nappies for segments such as these; they resemble rice or pumpkin seeds.

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