How can dogs get tapeworms

Have a new prescription from your vet? What to Do When You Think Your Dog Has a Tapeworm Of all the parasites a dog can get, the tapeworm is commonly known for being one of the easiest to identify and treat. Signs That Your Dog May Be Dealing with a Tapeworm As the tapeworm grows, some of its segments will break off and will be eliminated from the body in the dog's feces. Other signs and symptoms include: Weight loss even when eating normally Lethargy Distended abdomen Vomiting Diarrhea Dull coat Visual evidence of tapeworms If you notice one or more of these signs, take your dog to the veterinarian for a complete physical examination.

Treatment Options for Tapeworms in Dogs Treatment for tapeworm is usually very effective and may include administering de-worming medications, according to the veterinarian's prescribed directions. Prevention includes: Applying a flea preventive to your dog; Avoid letting your dog roam unsupervised; Clean up after your pet, especially in public dog parks or when taking her on walks; and Keep regularly scheduled veterinary visits.

About the Author Dr. Featured Specials. What Causes Canine Cough? General Learning Center. Professional Monographs. Drug Shortages and Alerts. Find out how to diagnose, treat, and prevent tapeworms in your dog.

Tapeworms in dogs are gross but common. Dogs get this intestinal parasite when they eat infected fleas or infected small animals. Luckily, tapeworms rarely cause disease in dogs, and both treatment and prevention are relatively simple. Tapeworms are long, flat, white segmented parasites with hook-like mouth parts that they use to attach themselves to the intestinal walls of pets, says Jessica Nichols, DVM, who is the chief veterinary officer of Spay and Neuter Kansas City in Kansas City, Mo.

While there are multiple types, or species, of tapeworms that can infect dogs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC lists Dipylidium caninum as the most common one in the United States. Wondering what tapeworms look like, and how to identify them if you suspect your dog is infected?

The test will find out if tapeworms are in the anal sac or in the feces of your dog. False negatives can occur, but the tapeworm test is reliable, and most results are conclusive. The prognosis for both animals and humans is very good post-treatment.

A prescription drug called praziquantel is used to treat tapeworms, either orally or by injection. The medication causes the tapeworm to dissolve within the intestine. The drug generally does not have adverse side effects. Other medications that are effective at removing tapeworms include chewables, granuals that are sprinkled on food, and tablets.

There are also combination parasite medications that treat tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm in one. And before using any over-the-counter medication on your own, consult with your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment options. The best way to avoid a tapeworm infestation is to keep your dog free of flea infestation. The surrounding environment must also be treated to prevent recurring infestations.

The CDC recommends these steps to reduce the likelihood of tapeworm infestation:. Note: This article is designed to help inform you about tapeworms in dogs and is not meant to take the place of a veterinary diagnosis or consultation. If you think your dog might have tapeworms or any parasite, contact your vet right away to set up an appointment for an examination and to ensure that your dog receives the safest and most effective treatment.

This means that tapeworm infections are not always identified during routine visits. You can help your veterinarian make an accurate diagnosis by bringing in samples of feces that have visible tapeworm segments. Once tapeworms are discovered, veterinarians use diagnostic tests like a PCR to differentiate between tapeworm species.

This is important for determining the appropriate treatment. Tapeworms in dogs are usually straightforward to treat. Other medications include fenbendazole, epsiprantel, and nitroscanate, depending on the species of tapeworm. In some cases, tapeworms may lead to other problems, like intestinal blockages.

This might require additional measures to treat and stabilize the patient. Deworming medications cure tapeworms in dogs, in conjunction with proper management strategies.

Tapeworms can be contagious for humans and other pets. Humans rarely contract dipylidium caninum , as it requires ingesting fleas, but this parasite can spread to other household dogs through the intermediate flea host. Cats can contract some species of tapeworms, like taenia species. These parasites are contracted by eating infected prey or feces. Humans can also contract echinococcus species of tapeworms. These worms are smaller than taenia or dipylidium tapeworms, and can cause a condition in humans called hydatidosis, which results in liver cysts.

While rare, proper hygiene will further reduce your risk of contracting tapeworms from your dog, as will avoiding consuming raw or partially cooked meat. In most cases, the cost of treating tapeworms is low.

You can expect to pay for your veterinary visit, diagnostics, and medications. Severe cases of tapeworm infections that result in intestinal blockages and require additional treatment measures will cost more. Managing tapeworms in dogs begins with medication.