Do fleas get infested with tapeworm eggs from blood of an animal with the worm?

Question

My dogs dont' have fleas but contracted tapeworms from eating a flea infested dead squirrel they found on the trail. I wonder how the tape worm egg got into the flea.
Does anyone know how wild animals, coyotes, squirrels, etc. thrive with a tapeworm? Are some animals immune to tapeworms? My dogs were ravenous until treated. How do wild animals cope?
My dogs were treated with 5 tablets of 34mg Praziquantel and were drinking water all day - seemed very dehydrated. Is this one of the side effects?

Answer 1

Here's a comprehensive site about the tapeworm cycle:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_tapeworm.html

And here's a site about wildlife in Alaska and parasites:
http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=disease.muscle1

Only a partial answer. I hope you get more.

Answer 2

Wild animals don't thrive with tapeworms, they either live in bad condition or they die, or both.

Yes the egg gets into the flea from the blood that's been sucked - the squirrel was the 'intermediate host' for the tapeworm (i.e the tapeworm live inside but don't grow and reproduce) and the fleas were the vector for the tapeworm - i.e the thing that transmitted the worms between the intermediate host and the definitive host (your dog).

No worming tablets do not usually cause excess drinking. Are they still doing it? Do pick up the phone to a vet if you have any medical queries.

Chalice

Answer 3

I have 4 dogs myself and I asked my vet this same question. It is actually the flea itself that gets ingested and lays eggs in the dogs and they become worms. So the flea is like a parasite once ingested. It lays it's eggs and out pops the worm from both ends. NASTY!! My dogs had the drinking water thing too. They should go back to normal after you finish the treatment. It will take awhile. And watch the stool to make sure you are getting all the stuff out. Mine got it again after just getting rid of them. But now everyone is great. Also make sure your DOGS, your yard, your house doesn't have any flea problems after they ate up the squirrel. It could cause a festation in your area. And fleas suck to get rid of. As far as wild animals go I am not sure on that, I imagine the wild animals have to be tougher and not so domesticated. We will always be a the leader in the pack but honestly none of our pets scrounge for food on their own. So they have domesticated tummies. I hope that helped. Just watch the stool and check for fleas...