Further Outpatient Care
The patient's stool should be examined for eggs and proglottids of D caninum at 1 and 3 months after treatment to ensure cure.
A repeat dosing of anthelmintics is usually unnecessary.
Deterrence/Prevention
Flea control is the most effective way to prevent dipylidiasis in humans and pets. Spraying of cats and dogs with flea powder is effective in reducing the risk of infection. Aerosol insecticides are effective for flea control in large areas.
Do not allow children to play in areas soiled with cat or dog feces.
Practice good hygiene measures, especially handwashing after contact with cats and dogs.
Promptly treat cats and dogs if they are known to harbor tapeworms. Praziquantel is an effective treatment for pets.
Complications
Intestinal obstruction is a rare complication of dipylidiasis.
Prognosis
Dipylidiasis carries an excellent prognosis.
Patient Education
Emphasize the importance of handwashing, especially after contact with cats and dogs.
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Adult tapeworm of Dipylidium caninum. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Proglottid of Dipylidium caninum. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Dipylidium caninum proglottid under a dissecting microscope cleared with lactophenol. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Proglottid of Dipylidium caninum stained with carmine. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Egg packets of Dipylidium caninum. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Egg packets of Dipylidium caninum. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Egg of Dipylidium caninum. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Life cycle of Dipylidium caninum. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Dipylidium caninum egg packet that contains 8 visible eggs, in a wet mount. Image provided courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
