COMMON WILDLIFE DISEASES
and PARASITES in
the NWT & Nunavut
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Liver
tapeworm cyst embedded in liver.
Liver of a
caribou containing a liver tapeworm cyst
(inset
is an isolated liver tapeworm cyst)
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What causes liver tapeworm
cysts? |
This
condition is caused by the larvae of the tapeworm
Taenia
hydatigena.
Lifecycle:
The tapeworm needs two hosts: a carnivore ( eg. a
wolf or dog) and a
herbivore
(e.g. caribou).
The
tapeworm grows and lays eggs in the intestines of the carnivore.
Eggs come out in the carnivore’s droppings and contaminate
plants that are eaten by the herbivore.
The eggs hatch into larvae that travel to the herbivores liver
where they form
cysts.
Carnivores become infected when they eat liver containing
cysts.
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Where
do liver tapeworm
cysts
occur? |
The
adult tapeworm occurs in the intestine of carnivores (wolves, lynx,
dogs and cats) without causing any harm.
The
larval stage of this tapeworm can occur in caribou, moose, wapiti
(elk), Dall’s sheep, and white-tailed deer.
In
the NWT and Nunavut, Taenia hydatigena occurs commonly in caribou and moose.
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What
are the signs of liver
tapeworm cysts?
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Animals
will probably appear healthy.
In
the herbivore host, the larvae form large cysts attached to the liver
or the lining of the body cavity.
There
also may be white, star-like scars on the surface of the liver.
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How
can I protect myself? |
You
cannot be infected by the cysts of
T.
hydatigena.
Cysts
can easily be removed from the liver during butchering.
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Meat
from infected animals is suitable for human consumption.
Cooking
will kill the
parasite.
Dogs
can be infected with tapeworms if they eat the liver cysts.
Do
not feed infected parts to dogs.
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cysts
or affected liver
tissue
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