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Taenia Tapeworm Infection
A parasitic infection in dogs and cats caused by various species of the Taenia genus, typically acquired through ingestion of infected intermediate hosts or raw meat.
Key Facts
- Infection occurs when pets consume raw meat, prey animals, or carcasses containing larval tapeworm cysts.
- Adult worms reside in the host's small intestine and can grow up to several yards in length.
- Different Taenia species utilize specific intermediate hosts such as rodents, rabbits, sheep, or deer.
- The parasite completes its life cycle when a definitive host ingests tissue cysts from an infected intermediate host.