Tapeworms or cestoda are parasites which live in the guts of host animals and spend entire generations there. These worms at maturity can reach to about 6 inches in length. They live in the intestinal tract of meat eating animals such as wolves, jackals, dogs, jackals, pigs, goats, horses, sheep and cattle. |
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The complete adult worm consists of many different segments, which are formed at the tail of the worm. As the tail part of the worm enhances, the mature segments break off and get excreted out of the body along with the stools. .
As the name parasite suggests, they do not need an alimentary canal of their own for their nourishment. The worms have sharp hooks on one side of their heads (also referred to as the scolex) which dig into the lining of the host's intestine and as a result the worms remain attached there. The worm absorbs its nutrients from the lining of the intestine and these nutrients are already broken down as per what the worm requires. There is, thus, no need for a digestive tract in a tapeworm
Tapeworms feed on the host’s body resources and live through them. As a result the host’s health deteriorates. Tapeworms can bring down the health considerably, if left untreated. Tapeworm problem is treated through drugs that work by killing the worm. The drug is either injected into the body or else taken orally. Usually injection is the last resort in case of severe infestation. This drug works by dissolving the tapeworm in the intestine. Usually there are no side effects of the drug but some people may suffer from nausea and abdominal pain or cramps.
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