6 



CIRCULAR 14 8. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



three-fifths of an inch to over 3 inches long. It occurs usually in 

 the cecum and is also found in the lower portion, rarely in the 

 upper portion, of the small intestine. This species is apparently 

 much less common in American horses than the other two species 

 of tapeworms. 



Symptoms and lesions. — In light infestations no symptoms are 

 present. Horses which are heavily infested with tapeworms may 



Figure 1. — Almost a gallon of large tapeworms, Anoplocephala magna, removed post- 

 mortem from a horse. About one-half natural size. (Photograph by courtesy of 

 the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas) 



suffer from intestinal catarrh, show digestive disturbances of vari- 

 ous sorts, and in cases of very severe infestations they may become 

 emaciated and anemic. The perfoliate tapeworm of the horse 

 often occurs in large numbers when present at all, and is said to 

 produce inflammation of the intestines; sometimes it ruptures the 

 wall of the cecum. The attachment of tapeworms of this species 

 to the wall of the cecum produces small ulcers 



§in the regions to which the worms are attached. 

 Treatment. — Very little is known regarding 

 treatment for tapeworms in the horse. The fol- 

 lowing treatments have been recommended but 

 have not had critical test to determine their pre- 

 cise value. 



Oil of turpentine is said to be an effective 

 remedy. This is given in a dose of 2 fluid ounces (60 cubic centi- 

 meters) in capsules, followed every second day by 1 ounce (30 cubic 

 centimeters) in capsule until five or six doses have been given. The 

 last dose is immediately preceded or followed by 1 quart of raw 

 linseed oil. It would seem that the drugs used for the treatment of 

 tapeworm infestation in other animals would offer more promise. 



Figure 21. — The dwarf 

 tapeworm Anoploce- 

 phala mamullana, of 

 the horse. Natural 

 size 



