By Dr Steve Surujbally
Well, if you think that hookworms (Pet Corner May 18, 25) were vicious beasties, tapeworms are in the same category fighting for the dubious honour of being dubbed the quintessential helminth horror.
Whereas hookworms may kill quickly and with much pain, diarrhoea and haemorrhage, tapeworms are more insidious in their devastation. And their whole life, life-cycle, ana-tomy and physiology are complex and complicated.
Their life-cycle, for example, requires two hosts – and, in some cases, even three. The tapeworm goes through different stages, but – unlike the roundworms and the hookworms – we can’t really speak only of larval stages. In tapeworms, we also have cysts as part of the cycle. In some cases this cystic stage can affect the brain!
I remember once as a student encountering a pig whose liver was ruptured because there were so many tapeworm cysts embedded and enlarging themselves in the liver.
Another thing that I like relating about the tapeworm is its head. If ever there was a parasite’s head so constructed as to ensure optimal survival, it is the tapeworm’s. Not only does the head (onto which a chain of segments is attached) have suckers (a sucking mechanism) which can latch onto the gut wall, but there is a row of hooks which further allows the tapeworm to cling on the mucous membrane lining of the intestines.
Then there is the reproductive anatomy which is so unique. Each mature segment has both male and female reproductive organs. This means that reproduction does not have to take place between two worms – rather within a segment of one worm. However, here comes the twist. If the segment of a tapeworm in the bundle touches another segment, then sexual reproduction can take place.
How’s that for ensuing the continuation of the species!
As we will see later, it is the devil’s own job to get rid of a tapeworm infestation, irrespective of how many tablet manufacturers tell you that their product will eliminate tapeworms.
Tapeworms come in different sizes and lengths. The tape in humans can be as long as 60 feet; those in dogs about half of an inch. Tapes can be found in most warm-blooded animals. I read somewhere that they found tapeworms in a whale which were hundreds of feet in length.
Finally, for today, allow me to assure you that dog owners cannot easily get tapeworms from their pets.
I’ll be talking about this again. Just don’t listen to (well-meaning) persons who really don’t know what they are talking about.
We’ll continue the drama of tapeworm infections next week.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
