Tapeworm Species - Echinococcus Granulosus
The Hydatid species of canine tapeworm is of great importance to public health because an infected dog can infect humans with Hyatid cysts. It is found mainly in country areas because it requires sheep to complete it's life cycle.
Eggs passed by the adult worm in dogs are consumed by sheep grazing infected pastures. In the sheep the eggs hatch to form Hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs. The cycle is completed by a dog eating cyst-infested liver and lungs.
Adult hydatid tapeworms in the dog are very small (about 2mm) but can be very numerous. Because they can infect humans, it is important to keep dogs free of them and to wash your hands after handling a dog.
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