Merck Manual

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Dipylidium caninum Infection

By

Chelsea Marie

, PhD, University of Virginia;


William A. Petri, Jr

, MD, PhD, University of Virginia School of Medicine

Last review/revision Dec 2021 | Modified Sep 2022
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D. caninum, the double-pored tapeworm, may be present in dogs and cats. Fleas are the intermediate host. Ingestion of an infected flea, usually by a young child, causes an asymptomatic, self-limited infection, but proglottids (tapeworm segments) may be seen in stool.

Treatment is with a single oral dose of praziquantel 5 to 10 mg/kg. Alternatively, a single 2-g dose of niclosamide (unavailable in the US) is given as 4 tablets (500 mg each) that are chewed one at a time and swallowed. For children, the dose is 50 mg/kg (maximum 2 g) once. The infection is self-limited in humans and usually resolves spontaneously in 6 weeks.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Biltricide
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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