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Tapeworms in Dogs

What are tapeworms in dogs? Tape worms are flattened intestinal worms that are made up of many small segments about ¼ – ½ inch (3-5 mm) long. Unlike roundworms that live freely in the intestinal tract, tapeworms attach to the wall of the small intestine by hook-like mouthparts.

Suggested Treatments
	Tape-eze

The most common tapeworm of dogs and cats is Dipylidium caninum. The adult worms may reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length. The individual segments are developed from the head end and gradually mature, finally being shed at the opposite end, either singly or in short chains. These segments are passed in the feces when the dog defecates. They are about 3 mm (1/8”) long and look like grains of rice. Occasionally they can be seen moving on the hairs around the anus or on freshly passed feces. As the tape worm segment dries, it becomes a golden color and the fertilized eggs are released into the environment.

Unlike roundworms, dogs cannot be infected by eating fertilized tape worm eggs. Tapeworms must first pass through an intermediate host, a flea, before they can infect a dog or cat.

How do dogs get tapeworms? When the infected eggs are released into the environment, they have to be swallowed by immature fleas (larvae) also in the environment. Once inside the larval stage of the flea, the tapeworm egg then develops into an infective tapeworm in the adult flea. During grooming or in response to a flea’s bite, the dog can ingest the flea with the infective tape worm and the life cycle is completed.

Are tapeworms dangerous for my dog? Tapeworms do not normally cause serious health problems in dogs. Occasionally dogs will drag their bottoms on the ground (scooting) in order to allay this irritation but this behavior can be for other reasons such as impacted anal sacs.

In puppies, heavy tapeworm infestation can be more serious. Lack of growth, anemia and intestinal blockage can occur. Occasionally, the head of the tape worm (scolex) detaches from the intestinal wall. The worm can then be passed either in the feces or vomited.

How is diagnosis made? Clinical diagnosis is usually made by observing the white mobile tapeworm segments in the feces or crawling around the anus. They often look like grains of rice.

Tapeworm segments are only passed intermittently and therefore are often not diagnosed on routine fecal examination. If you find any segments, white or golden color, bring these to us for a definitive diagnosis.

Is there anything else I should do? Control of fleas is very important in the management and prevention of tapeworm infection. Flea control involves treatment of your dog and the environment. If your dog lives in a flea-infested environment, re-infection with tape worms may occur in as little as two weeks. Since tapeworm medication is so effective, recurrent infections are almost always due to re-infection from fleas and not failure of the product.

Can I get tapeworm from my dogs? Contracting tapeworms from your dog is not common or likely. Dipylidium caninum, the most common tapeworm of the dog, depends on the flea as the intermediate host. A person must swallow an infected flea to become infected. A few cases have been reported in children. Just as control in dogs depends upon vigorous flea eradication, this strategy will also eliminate any risk of children in the environment becoming infected.

What is the treatment? With today’s drugs, treatment is safe, simple and effective. The parasiticide may be given either in the form of tablets or by injection. It causes the parasite to dissolve in the intestines so you normally will not see tape worms passed in the stool.

These drugs are very safe and should not cause vomiting or diarrhea or other adverse side effects.

The use of a natural remedy can be very convenient, works great, and is very cost effective. Tape Away (made famous in the Martin Zucker "Natural Pet" medicine books), will eliminate tapeworms. In addition, using Tape Away on a monthly basis is an excellent, all-natural preventative medication for pets who are prone to become reinfested. This treatment can be safely repeated as often as necessary. Tape-eze is a very convenient, easy-to-use, cost effective alternative. Learn more about Tape-eze.