Regardless of whether the owner has seen fleas on the cat, or in the home, the cat must have ingested a flea in order to have tapeworms. "Fleas are the intermediate host for the tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum." Consequently, tapeworms are more common in environments that are heavily infested with fleas.
What percentage of fleas carry tapeworm?
Most fleas in the environment are not adult fleas hopping around, and it's the fleas you don't see that matter. Here's the breakdown: 57 percent are eggs, 34 percent are larvae, 8 percent are pupae, and only about 1 percent are the adult biting fleas. Fleas are intermediate hosts of Dipylidium caninun (tapeworm).
How long does it take for fleas to turn into tapeworms?
It takes 3 weeks from the time the flea is swallowed to the time tapeworm segments appear on the pet's rear end or stool.
Can fleas get tapeworms?
Parasites - Dipylidium Infection (also known as Dog and Cat Flea Tapeworm) Dipylidium is tapeworm of cats and dogs. People become infected when they accidentally swallow a flea infected with tapeworm larvae; most reported cases involve children. Dipylidium infection is easily treated in humans and animals.
Does flea prevent tapeworms?
A specific deworming medication, called praziquantel, is necessary to treat the most common tapeworms in dogs. The key to effectively preventing tapeworm infections in your dog is maintaining good year-round flea control.
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