Cysticercosis in Dogs
Cysticercosis is a rare disease caused by the larvae Taenia crassiceps, a type of tapeworm. Once the eggs (which is suspected to be found in the feces of infected foxes) are ingested by rabbits or other rodents, it develops in the abdominal and subcutaneous tissues, and eventually forms large masses of cysticerci (larval form) in the abdominal cavity, lungs, muscles, and in the tissues under the skin. Even worse, the cysticercus is capable of undergoing asexual reproduction and multiplying a high rate.
It is rarely reported in Europe or the United States, but often occurs in olders dogs or young immuno-compromised pups.
Symptoms and Types
Cysticerci masses may found under the skin or in other organs, causing several complications including:
- Anemia
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Respiratory distress (when found in lungs)
- Yellowish skin (when found in abdominal cavity)
Causes
Mode of infection not clear, but three are hypothesized:
- Ingestion of parasite eggs found in feces of an infected fox (possibly a coyote)
- Autoinfection, whereby the dog reinfects itself by eating its own feces which contain Taenia crassiceps eggs
- Ingestion of the Taenia crassiceps in its larval stage (cysticercal)
rein
To control a horse with the reins; this includes stopping, directing, and guiding them
otic
Anything having to do with the ear
nag
A type of horse that does not belong to a particular breed
ion
An atom that has a positive or negative charge
lysis
The breakdown of something or the destruction of something, biologically speaking
ingest
To take food in by mouth
urinalysis
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
subcutaneous
Found underneath the dermis
tapeworm
A type of parasitic worm; it is flat and made up of segments
lesion
A change in the way that tissue is constructed; a sore
abdominal cavity
The space in the abdomen that holds the major digestive organs in an animal. Normally referred to as the area between the diaphragm and the pelvis. Also referred to as the peritoneal cavity.
larva
An insect that has hatched from an egg but has not yet reached the pupal stage