This condition is caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Taenia krabbei . The adult 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 in the blood to other parts of the herbivore s body where they form cysts in the muscle. Carnivores become infected when they eat meat with cysts. The adult tapeworm occurs in wolves, lynx, bears and dogs without causing any harm. The larval stage occurs as cysts most commonly in caribou and moose. Animals will usually appear healthy.