ABSTRACT
Feline/canine tapeworm acquired by eating infected snakes, rodents, and other small vertebrates. PPP= As short as 10 days; patency can be maintained for several years. Dx: Eggs (60 µm long) in feces about the size of Ancylostoma caninum egg, brown, elongate, with a small operculum on one end containing cells of the developing larva. Adult Habitat: Small intestine. Similar Species: There are a number of species of Spirometra around the world. Egg very similar to that of Diphyllobothrium latum. Range: United States. Clinical Signs: May have diarrhea, emaciation, and/or vomiting. Can produce nonregenerative anemia (sometimes severe). Tx: No approved drug. Treatment with albendazole unsuccessful. Some report success treating with the routine praziquantel (5 mg/kg), but others report the need for elevated doses. Epsiprantel (Cestex®) may also be effective.
