Tapeworm infestations are commonly found in dogs worldwide. While mild or moderate infestations do not significantly impact health, heavy infestations can cause issues like weakness and vomiting. Tapeworms are flat, segmented worms that attach to the intestinal wall. Dogs become infected by ingesting fleas carrying tapeworm larvae. Heavy infestations can lead to complications like anemia or intestinal blockages. Tapeworms are generally treated with oral or topical praziquantel, which dissolves the worms in the intestine. Preventing fleas and regularly deworming dogs can help prevent tapeworm infections.

1. FAQs about Tapeworms inDogs
Tapeworm(Dipylidium caninum) infestations are now very commonly
found in many dogs around the world. Though the mild or moderate
level of infestations doesn’t causeany significant damage to yourdog’s
health but heavy infestations can actually deteriorate the health of
your dog and lead to some annoying health issueslike weakness and
vomiting. That is the reason why you, asadog parent need to become

2. strictly vigilant and well equipped with all types of information needed
to prevent and treat these segmentedparasites.
And in doing so, many questions may arise in your mindabout
tapeworms that are critical and need tobe answered.
Hence, read on to get the answers to your doubts or questions about
tapeworms.
What AreTapeworms?
 Tapeworms are flat tape or ribbon-like segmented wormsthat
attach themselves to your pooch’s intestinalwall.
 Theybelong to the family ofcestodes.
 Theyare made up of small segments that are 3-5 mmlong.
 Adult tapeworms can grow up to 8inches.
 Theseparasites shed their rare-end segmentsasthey grow.
 Segmentsare passedout with feces and look like arice grain ora
cucumber seed
 Segmentsare called proglottids and can be seenaround the anus
of your pooch or on the surface of your dog’s stool
How DoesADog Get Infected ByATapeworm?
 Dogsget infected by these parasites when they ingest aflea
infected by atapeworm larvae
 Tapeworm infection is only possible in dogsiftapeworms are
passedthrough an intermediate host
 Direct ingestion of fertilized tapeworm eggsdoes notresult in a
tapeworm infestation.

3.  Nevertheless, Taeniaspecies and Echinococcus multilocularisare
the types of tapeworms that can passon to your dog when
he/she eats aprey like rodents or rabbits, coyotes, fox, and other
wild animals.
What Complications Can TapewormsCause?
 Thankfully, moderate tapeworms don’t causeany serious orfatal
complications.
 However, heavy infestations may lead to some serious condition
like anemia, stunted growth, and intestinalblockages
 Scooting is alsocommon in dogsinfected with tapeworms
What ColorAreTapeworms?
 Tapeworms are generally white or cream colored segmented
parasites.
What Are TheSymptoms OfTapeworms?
 Symptoms are very rare. However, scooting can beone.
 Vomiting and weight-loss are also sometimes amongst the
symptoms.
How ToDiagnoseTapeworms?
 Your vet will diagnosethese worms by examining the whiterice-
grain-like segments in your pooch’sstool.
 Tapeworms are not regularly seenin the stool. So,whenever you
find one, collect that and take it to the vet for an examination.

4. Are Tapeworms In Dogs Contagious ToHumans?
 No, they are not becauseDipylidium caninum aretapeworms
common in dogs.
 Thistapeworm speciescan only be infected to humans if afleais
ingested accidentally becausethe tapeworm eggsrequire an
intermediate host.
 However, other tapeworms can be acquired by humans if theyeat
the partially cooked meat of certain animals infected with
tapeworms.
What Treats Tapeworms inDogs?
 Thetreatment of tapeworms is very effective and easyto use.
 Adrug called Praziquantel can be given orally or can be
administered topically.
 Treatment for tapeworm can be bought online at cheap prices
from websites like canadavetcare.com and
canadapetcare.com.(These websites are new in the marketand
always keep low prices to compete with big giants. Youcan
probably get benefitted from theircompetition.)
 Getting backto tapeworm treatment, the treatment deliquesces
tapeworms in the intestine because of which the tapeworms can’t
be seenin feces.
 The timely dosage of the treatment stops the worm infestation to
exacerbate.

5. CanYou Prevent Tapeworms InDogs?
 Of course, tapeworms can be prevented.
 Fleasare the reason behind tapeworm infestations. Hence,it
would be wise to control and preventfleas.
 Effective products like Frontline plus, Nexgard Spectra and
Simparica Chewables can be used for flea treatment and
prevention. Theseproducts can be bought online at affordable
prices from websites likecanadapetcare.com
 Regularadministration of de-wormers also keepsthe tapeworms
at bay.
 Treatment of the surroundings toeradicate fleas is also important
to make sure your dog issafe.
 Keepyour dog away from rodents and other hosts as,ingesting
such flea infested hosts can also infect your dog with tapeworms.
Also, tapeworms like Taenia species andEchinococcus
multilocularis can also infect your dog through ingestion of
rodents or partially or uncooked meat of wild animals like foxes
andcoyotes.
Are Tapeworms Dangerous?
 Dipylidium caninum is not very harmful to dogs, and onlyheavy
infestation can pose some serious threat to your dog’s health.
 However, it canbe easily treated with the help oftreatments
containing Praziquantel
 Taenia species is also atype of tapeworms thatare very long and
can stretch up to onemeter.

6.  Heavyinfestation of these worms can causeblockage in the
intestine. Thisspecies of tapeworm also responsible for
developing hydated cysts in intermediatehosts.
 Themost dangerous type of tapeworm is Echinococcus
multilocularis. It is found in rodents and wild animals like coyotes
and foxes.
 These small in length worms should never be underestimated as
these 1 cm long tapeworms can damage the liver by multiplying
and penetrating like atumor.
 Although these worms can also be treated withthe help of the
samedrug, in severe stage surgical removal of the tumor-like
cluster of tapeworm larvae, Praziquantel is considered by the
vets.
Can We Get an Over the Counter Medicine forTapeworms?
 Yes,there are many over the counter medicines available atthe
drug store.
 Justmake sure the medicine contains praziquantel or
fenbendazole or epsiprantel and it sayson the label that it treats
tapeworms.
 Readthe product label carefully for thedosagetimelines.
How Common Are Tapeworms InDogs?
 Since the primary reason of tapeworm infestation is fleas, the
tapeworm infestations are very common in the areas severely
infected with fleas.

7. CanYou See Tapeworms In DogStool?
 Yes,you can, the tapeworm segmentscontaining tapeworm eggs
are visible on the surface of dog’sstool.
 Thesegmentslook like rice grains or cucumberseeds.
 Initially, the segments are soft and move abit butafter some time
the segments become hard and stopmoving.
 Thesesegmentscan also be seenaround the dog’s anus in the fur.
So,these were the FAQsabout tapeworms. Hope the questions that
you had in your mind are answered. Youcan always contact your vetif
you are confused or want the perfect advice about the treatments.