Adult T. serialis are parasites of carnivores, particularly dogs, with herbivorous lagomorph mammals such as rabbits and hares, serving as intermediate hosts.

[3][4] Epsiprantel, praziquantel, fenbendazole and surgical removal[4][5] are used to combat coenuri infection but discretion should be used when treating this evolving cestode of medical importance.

The larvae form bladders called Coenurus metacestode that can grow to be as large as 10 cm in the intermediate hosts.

The larva circulates in the blood to the central nervous system, muscles, or soft tissue where they can form a coenurus metacestode, which is the intermediate stage of the parasite.

[7] These painless nodules present in the skin or subcutaneous tissue are a sign of infection and are used to diagnose a host with the parasite.

The adult cestode produces eggs which are spread into the environment by the feces of the definitive host.

Oral praziquantel can be used to kill coenuri; however, the dead parasite will cause a large inflammatory response in the host.