Tapeworm

The ruminant (Moniezia spp.) tapeworm completes its lifecycle in sheep and cattle. They are a very obvious parasite as segments will be visible in faeces. However, in both cattle sheep, Monieza infections are largely symptomless and should not affect performance. Occasionally, infected animals can exhibit diarrhoea, ill-thrift and respiratory problems. Moniezia tapeworm eggs on pasture are ingested by pasture mites (intermediate host), which are in turn ingested by grazing animals to begin the cycle again. Some of the benzimidazole active ingredients are effective in treating ruminant tapeworm.

Certain species of carnivore (e.g. dog) tapeworm use sheep as an intermediate host, much in the same way that liver fluke use pasture-dwelling snails. These are called Taenia and can be typically more economically significant than Moniezia tapeworm.

In sheep, Taenia multiceps frequently causes clinical symptoms, while T. ovis and T. hydatigena are also prevalent in the UK and Ireland but are of lesser clinical importance. This is because their development does not usually affect the organs they reside in. However, if numbers are high enough there can be inflammation and organ damage. Taenia multiceps is more of an issue because the central nervous system is where it develops, principally in the animal’s brain. Infection causes symptoms such as blindness, strange behaviours, head tilt and loss of coordination. Control of the parasite is mainly focused on the correct worming of dogs coming into contact with sheep.

Enchinococcus granulosus is another carnivore tapeworm that uses sheep as an intermediate host. This parasite is of extreme importance as it is zoonotic – it can infect and proliferate in humans. Both the Taenia and E. granulosus tapeworm species are spread by eggs in carnivore (dog or fox, to a lesser extent) faeces. These develop and are consumed by the host (sheep/cattle), with the lifecycle completing when a carnivore consumes the carcase of an infected animals. At time of writing, the sheep strain of E. granulosus is completely absent in Ireland.

Taenia saginata is a species of tapeworm that reaches maturity in humans but uses cattle as an intermediate host. It is also known as the beef tapeworm and does not usually cause any symptoms in the animal. Cattle become infected via drinking water or pasture contaminated with human faeces.
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Use the solutions below with our FAQ and Best Practice sections to make good decisions on Tapeworm control.

Use medicines responsibly.

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The ruminant (Moniezia spp.) tapeworm completes its lifecycle in sheep and cattle. They are a very obvious parasite as segments will be visible in faeces. However, in both cattle sheep, Monieza infections are largely symptomless and should not affect performance. Occasionally, infected animals can exhibit diarrhoea, ill-thrift and respiratory problems. Moniezia tapeworm eggs on pasture are ingested by pasture mites (intermediate host), which are in turn ingested by grazing animals to begin the cycle again. Some of the benzimidazole active ingredients are effective in treating ruminant tapeworm.

Certain species of carnivore (e.g. dog) tapeworm use sheep as an intermediate host, much in the same way that liver fluke use pasture-dwelling snails. These are called Taenia and can be typically more economically significant than Moniezia tapeworm.

In sheep, Taenia multiceps frequently causes clinical symptoms, while T. ovis and T. hydatigena are also prevalent in the UK and Ireland but are of lesser clinical importance. This is because their development does not usually affect the organs they reside in. However, if numbers are high enough there can be inflammation and organ damage. Taenia multiceps is more of an issue because the central nervous system is where it develops, principally in the animal’s brain. Infection causes symptoms such as blindness, strange behaviours, head tilt and loss of coordination. Control of the parasite is mainly focused on the correct worming of dogs coming into contact with sheep.

Enchinococcus granulosus is another carnivore tapeworm that uses sheep as an intermediate host. This parasite is of extreme importance as it is zoonotic – it can infect and proliferate in humans. Both the Taenia and E. granulosus tapeworm species are spread by eggs in carnivore (dog or fox, to a lesser extent) faeces. These develop and are consumed by the host (sheep/cattle), with the lifecycle completing when a carnivore consumes the carcase of an infected animals. At time of writing, the sheep strain of E. granulosus is completely absent in Ireland.

Taenia saginata is a species of tapeworm that reaches maturity in humans but uses cattle as an intermediate host. It is also known as the beef tapeworm and does not usually cause any symptoms in the animal. Cattle become infected via drinking water or pasture contaminated with human faeces.

Use the solutions below with our FAQ and Best Practice sections to make good decisions on Tapeworm control.

Use medicines responsibly.

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