How Do You Spell DIPYLIDIUM CANINUM?

1. Dipylidium caninum is a species of parasitic tapeworm that commonly infects dogs and cats. It belongs to the class Cestoda, which consists of long, segmented flatworms known as tapeworms. These parasites are characterized by their attachment to the inner walls of the intestines of their hosts.

   Dipylidium caninum has a life cycle that involves two main hosts: fleas and mammals. The tapeworm's adult stage resides in the intestines of dogs and cats, where it can reach lengths of up to 50 centimeters. The segmented body of Dipylidium caninum is made up of proglottids, which contain both male and female reproductive organs. Each segment is capable of producing egg-filled packets called egg capsules, which are released in the feces of the host animals.

   The intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum is the flea. Fleas ingest the egg capsules or infected proglottids while feeding on the contaminated feces of infected animals. Inside the flea, the eggs develop into larvae, which further develop into an infective stage called cysticercoids. When a dog or a cat consumes an infected flea during grooming, the cysticercoids are released from the flea in the intestine, where they attach and develop into adult tapeworms.

   Infection with Dipylidium caninum typically causes mild symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, and itchiness around the anus. However, heavy infestations can lead to more severe gastrointestinal issues in the infected animal. To prevent and treat these infections, regular flea control measures and deworming medications are recommended for pets.

2. A species of dog tapeworm, the larvae of which are harbored by the flea; the worm may also infest man.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for DIPYLIDIUM CANINUM

The word Dipylidium caninum is composed of two parts.

1. Dipylidium is derived from the Greek words di meaning two, and pyle meaning gate or entrance. The term refers to the double genital pores or reproductive openings found in these tapeworms.

2. Caninum is derived from the Latin word canis, which means dog. This species of tapeworm primarily infects dogs.

Therefore, Dipylidium caninum can be translated as double entrance of the dog.