Introduction
The tapeworms that most commonly infect dogs are Taenia pisiformis and Dipylidium caninum. Dogs become infected with Taenia pisiformis by eating an encysted form of the parasite usually in rabbits, rats, or other wild animals. They become infected with Dipylidium caninum by ingesting adult fleas or lice that carry tapeworm larvae.
The tapeworms migrate and attach to the lining of the small intestine, where they feed off of the dog’s blood. Tapeworms usually do not cause serious clinical signs in dogs, other than maybe some mild itchiness in the anal area that can lead to the dog dragging its rear end on the ground, or “scooting”. Long-term infection may cause general ill thrift and can include mild depression, lethargy, irritability, weight loss, vomiting, poor coat and/or diarrhea.
Treatment of tapeworm infection in dogs is recommended when eggs are detected in a fecal sample or when worm segments are detected on the perianal area, and involves use of medications and preventative measures to stop re-infection from occurring.
Treating Tapeworm in Dogs
Most pet owners discover that their dog has tapeworms when they see small, motile tapeworm segments stuck to or crawling around their dog’s anus, or on its feces. These segments look like white rice and actually are parts of the adult worms which have broken off. It can be aesthetically offensive for pet owners to see these parasites crawling out of and around their dog’s anus, on its fur or on its stool. The majority of adult tapeworms remain in the intestines, and their microscopic eggs are passed out in the dog’s stool. If you see tapeworm segments around your dog’s rear end, you should visit your veterinarian to get your dog on an appropriate deworming protocol.
There are a number of medications that will successfully treat tapeworms, but they are not necessarily the same drugs that are effective against other internal parasites. Many pet owners make the mistake of buying over-the-counter dewormers thinking that they will eliminate tapeworms, when most of them will not. Your veterinarian can tell you the precise medication, and the dosage, that is appropriate for your pet.
Even the most effective tapeworm dewormers will not prevent re-infection if there are fleas in your dog’s environment or if your dog has access to rabbits, rats or other rodents. You must treat your dog, and your dog’s environment, for fleas to ensure that the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm cycle has been stopped, and you must prevent your dog from eating the meat of infected animals to stop further infection by Taenia pisiformis.