Dipylidium caninum is a type of which parasite?

• A. A type of tapeworm
• B. A nematode
• C. A trematode
• D. A protozoan

Answer: (A)

Dipylidium caninum is a tapeworm, a cestode. Tapeworms are flat, segmented worms that live in the small intestine and produce proglottids that break off and pass in the feces or around the animal’s anus. This parasite uses fleas as an intermediate host, so infection occurs when a dog or cat ingests an infected flea during grooming. That flea-facilitated life cycle and the characteristic segmented body distinguish it from nematodes (roundworms), trematodes (flukes), and protozoa (single-celled organisms). In practice, you might see small, rice-like packets or detached proglottids in the feces or around the perineum, which helps confirm the tapeworm nature of the infection. Treatment focuses on removing the adult worms and controlling fleas to prevent reinfection.