200 PARASITES IN THE INTESTINES 



and hearing, and epileptiform convulsions which occur at 

 intervals. 



Rabbits exhibit symptoms similar to the cat, except the 

 former usually have a partial posterior paralysis instead of 

 convulsions. 



Chickens lose their appetite, become emaciated, are dull 

 and feeble and a few show diarrhea. The presence of seg- 

 ments on the surface of the feces is often the only symptom 

 of tseniasis. 



Diagnosis.— The poor or emaciated condition of the animal, 

 diarrhea or constipation, would indicate the presence of 

 intestinal parasites, but an accurate diagnosis of taeniasis 

 can only be made by finding the segments, or ova mixed with 

 the feces. The ova can only be detected by the microscope. 

 A microscopic examination is readily made by shaking some 

 of the feces in a test-tube, one-half full of water, until the 

 mass is broken up. Allow it to stand for a few minutes, and 

 with a pipette withdraw a quantity from the center of the 

 fluid. Place a few drops on a slide, cover with a cover-glass, 

 and examine first with low, then with high power. The 

 ova of the taeniadae all appear about the same size. While 

 the variations peculiar to each species make differentiation 

 possible, it is unnecessary to consider them as the prognosis 

 and treatment are similar for all the species. For an accurate 

 diagnosis of the species,vthe entire parasite, especially the 

 head, must be obtained and examined microscopically. 



Should the feces be soft or liquid, smear slides can be made 

 and examined with as good results. A negative opinion 

 should not be given without examining several slides. 

 Usually, however, one finds 20 or 30 ova on a single slide. 



Prognosis.— Favorable in mild infestations, but when large 

 numbers are present chronic catarrh, or death from obstruc- 

 tion is always probable. 



Treatment.— As taeniae, even in mild infestations, incon- 

 venience the host more or less, it is advisable to treat them. 

 A further reason is the possible infestation of man and herbiv- 

 orous animals with the cyst form. Hogs, sheep, cattle, show 

 and hunting dogs not only improve in condition when the 

 taeniae are removed, but the further propagation of taeniasis 

 is correspondingly reduced. 



