Once inside the body, the tapeworm head attaches to the inner wall of the intestines and feeds off the food being digested. Pieces of the tapeworm break off and come out of the body in feces (poop), along with the eggs they contain.
Where do the eggs of a tapeworm hatch?
As the flea is digested within the cat's intestine, the tapeworm egg is released, it hatches, and then anchors itself to the intestinal lining, therefore completing the lifecycle. Unlike other intestinal parasites, cats cannot become infected by eating tapeworm eggs.
How are tapeworm eggs released?
The sac, called a "proglottid," is passed from the host's rectum and out into the world, either on the host's stool or on the host's rear end. The segment is the size of a grain of rice and is able to move. Eventually the segment will dry and look more like a sesame seed. The sac breaks and tapeworm eggs are released.
How are tapeworms expelled?
As the adult tapeworm continues to grow, the segmented proglottid packets that make up the body of the worm will break off. These packets exit the intestine with the feces or move through the anal orifice and attach to the fur around a dog's hindquarters and tail.
Do tapeworms lay eggs outside the body?
At night, female worms come outside to lay eggs in the skin around your anus.
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