Tapeworms are just some of the many parasites our dogs may encounter throughout their lives. These worms live in a dog’s intestines and cause significant pain, discomfort, and distress.
The good news is that these parasites can be treated and prevented, helping dogs recover. This guide explains everything you need to know about tapeworms in dogs, including what they are, how dogs get them, what the types are, common symptoms, diagnostics, and how they’re treated.
Key Takeaways
Tapeworms are flat and segmented intestinal parasites that interfere with a dog’s nutrient absorption.
Dogs can get these from fleas, infected animals, and raw diets.
Treatment usually consists of specific deworming medications and environmental adjustments.
What Are Tapeworms in Dogs?
Tapeworms are small intestinal parasites that live inside the dog’s digestive system, specifically the small intestine. Here, they absorb the nutrients that were meant for dogs from the food they eat.
These parasites are long, flat, and segmented worms. Each segment is called a proglottid and contains tapeworm eggs. As the worm grows, the segments break off and pass out of the dog’s body through the stool.
The segments often look like small grains of rice that are seen in the dog’s poo, stuck on the fur around the tail, or on your dog’s bedding.
Tapeworms in dogs attach to the lining of the intestine using their hook-like mouthparts. This is how they linger and absorb the nutrients from partially digested food.
How Do Dogs Get Tapeworms?
Dogs may contract tapeworms from ingesting fleas, small prey, and wildlife.
Fleas
The most common cause of tapeworms in dogs is through swallowing fleas. This can happen when a dog grooms itself and accidentally swallows the fleas. The larvae will be released into the intestine and mature into adult tapeworms.
Infected Animals
Dogs can also get tapeworms by eating infected animals. These can be rats, mice, rabbits, and other wildlife.
Raw Diets
Raw diets for dogs can be a potential source of infection, including tapeworms. This occurs when meat is contaminated and not properly frozen, as animal sources such as beef, pork, and lamb may harbor tapeworm larvae.
What Are the Types of Tapeworms in Dogs?
There are several species of tapeworm that may infect your dog. These include:
Dipylidium caninum
This is the most common type of tapeworm in dogs. They’re usually called flea tapeworms, as they are the kind of tapeworms dogs can get from ingesting fleas.
Taenia Species
While less common compared to Dipylidium caninum, tapeworms from the Taenia species may also cause an infection. These may come from eating infected rabbits and sheep, as well as undercooked livestock.
Echinococcus Species
These tapeworms can be acquired by eating raw meat or wild rodents. Known as hydatid tapeworms, these parasites can cause serious disease in dogs and even humans.
What Are the Symptoms of Tapeworms in Dogs?
Now that we know how dogs get them and the common types, we’ll talk about the signs that are usually present.
Visible Segments. If your dog has tapeworms, you may see small, rice-like pieces around your dog’s rear, in their stool, or on their bedding.
Scooting. Affected dogs may drag their butts along the ground because of the irritation associated with these parasites and their segments.
Weight Loss. Some may lose weight even when they are eating normally. This happens because the parasites interfere with nutrient absorption in the small intestine.
Vomiting. Vomiting may be present in some cases if these tapeworms migrate to the stomach.
Changes in Stool. You may notice changes in your dog’s poop, often being softer or mixed with the tapeworm segments.
Bloated Belly. A swollen belly is a common symptom in puppies with tapeworms.
How Do Vets Diagnose Tapeworms in Dogs?
We may perform a visual inspection, a fecal flotation test, a fecal antigen test, and a PCR assay.
Visual Inspection
Our vets will look for any visible segments in your dog’s poop or on its rear end. When freshly passed, these segments can be observed moving or wiggling, helping us distinguish them from other debris. When these dry out, they can appear as yellow and hard, rice-like specks.
Fecal Flotation
This method diagnoses tapeworm in dogs by mixing a stool sample with a special solution that allows the parasite’s eggs to float up to the top. A coverslip is placed on top to collect the eggs, allowing us to examine them under a microscope. However, tapeworm eggs may often not float well.
Fecal Antigen
A fecal antigen test identifies specific protein components unique to the parasite in the stool sample. This method is much more sensitive, allowing us to detect infections even if the worms are not shedding eggs.
In some cases, fecal antigen tests can detect infections early, even before tapeworms reach maturity.
PCR Assay
A PCR assay diagnoses the parasite by detecting and amplifying specific DNA sequences from the parasite involved. In this case, the tapeworm’s genetic material will be replicated, allowing us to accurately distinguish between different types.
How Are Tapeworms Treated in Dogs?
Tapeworm infections are generally treated with deworming medications and environmental adjustments.
Medications
Praziquantel. The primary treatment option for tapeworms in dogs, which causes the parasite to detach and dissolve. It’s available through prescription and over-the-counter formulations.
Epsiprantel. An oral medication that’s highly effective against certain species, such as Dipylidium caninum and Taenia species.
Fenbenazole. This medicine is generally used for other types of parasites, but can also be effective against tapeworms in dogs.
Environmental Adjustments
Your dog’s home space must be regularly sanitized to ensure complete recovery. This means vacuuming carpets and washing bedding. Providing a balanced diet is also crucial to support their overall health and recovery.
Can Tapeworms Be Prevented in Dogs?
Tapeworms can be easily prevented, and we’ll show you some easy steps.
Schedule Preventive Treatments
The most important and impactful thing you can do to protect your dog from tapeworms is to schedule deworming treatments. These medications effectively prevent fleas and tapeworms from affecting your dog. They are also available as flea sprays and collars.
Book Vet Visits
Wellness checks allow us to assess your dog’s current health condition and make recommendations based on our observations. Through these, we can maintain your dog’s health and happiness.
Clean Your Dog’s Space
Keep your dog’s home clean and always wash their bedding. This is especially important if they always go outside for some play and activity.
Promote Good Hygiene
Bathing your dog regularly also helps keep fleas at bay, which significantly reduces the risk of a tapeworm infection. Most dogs benefit from bathing once a month, though this can vary based on breed, coat length, and activity level.
“Protecting our dogs from the parasites they don’t see keeps them happy and healthy.”
Final Thoughts
Tapeworms in dogs can be common, but they’re usually easy to treat when caught early. However, even if they aren’t that serious compared to other parasites, they shouldn’t be ignored. Treatment is simple, but prevention is even simpler.
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