Home Remedies For Tapeworms in Dogs

Among the different types of diseases that affect the canine breeds, tapeworms is the one that is very commonly seen. Though tapeworms do not have any adverse effects, it is important that dogs are given proper treatment to recover quickly. There are actually many types of tapeworms, however the one that is most commonly seen in dogs is the dipylidium caninum. Usually, tapeworms spread through fleas infested with the parasite, however they are also found in rodents and if the dog eats a rodent infested with this tapeworm, he will surely be diagnosed with this problem. Apart from the different treatment measures that the vet recommends, you can also try these remedies. However, remember that before trying these out, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the home remedy that you are trying. Before we go into details, let us try to know more about causes and symptoms of tapeworms in your pet dogs.

Information on Tapeworms

Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that have a head, neck and a number of segments attached to them. The most common cause of tapeworms is consumption of flea carrying tapeworm eggs. When these tapeworm eggs enter the dog's body, it begins to thrive and attaches to the canine's digestive system. The average length of a fully grown tapeworm is 20 cm, in other words, it can be said that it is eight inches long. As the tapeworm lies in the digestive system of the dog, it sucks all the nutrients from the food that the dog eats. Due to this, you may see your dog losing its weight and becoming thin, even though he has been fed well. Once the tapeworm fully matures, its tail end detaches from the body and is thrown out of the body through the dog's stool. This rear end of the tapeworm consists of its eggs and can be found either on the dog's rectal area or in the feces.

Tapeworm Symptoms in Dogs

The presence of a tapeworm in the canine's digestive system causes certain dog health problems which can also be said to be the symptoms of tapeworms.

• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain and discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Scooting due to irritation
• Weakness or lack of energy
• Nervousness

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing tapeworms is not difficult at all and can be done by the pet owner. If you observe any of the above symptoms, keeping a check on your pet's bowel movements will help in determining whether it is affected by tapeworms. You may notice either moving or dried, white colored tapeworm segments in the dog's fecal matter. Sometimes, the tapeworm segments are found hanging near the dog's rectal area.

The usual treatment given by the vet is a drug that helps in destroying the harmful parasite. These drugs which are either injected in the dog's body or given orally through food, kill the tapeworm in the intestine and get dissolved in the body itself. However, sometimes the drugs can put additional stress to an already weak body of the dog and therefore, it is advisable to try some of these remedies.

Remedies

As I said earlier, before you try any of these remedies, remember to notify the vet about it. Here are some of the effective natural cures for tapeworm infections.

Garlic: It is said that garlic is one of the best remedies for treating tapeworms. Sulfur compounds or volatile oils present in garlic help in eliminating the tapeworm from the dog's body. You can either use the powdered form of garlic or that which is available in the extracted form. Mix garlic in your dog's food everyday for at least two months and you will surely see a significant change in your dog's health.

Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are also said to be an effective natural cure for tapeworm infection. Grind whole raw pumpkin seeds and feed them to your dog before every meal. The amount of pumpkin seeds that you can give your canine can range from ¼ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon depending on the size of your dog.

Wheat Germ Oil: One common remedies is wheat germ oil. Add a teaspoon of wheat germ oil in your dog's meal for a few days. You may notice some improvement in your pet's health.

Orange Grape: Another way to get rid of tapeworms is by giving your dog some orange juice. The amount of orange grape that has to be given to the dog will depend on the size of the dog i.e. six drops for every ten pounds of body weight. This should be given twice a day.

However, every pet owner must know that even if the canine is cured of tapeworms, there are chances that they will reappear. To prevent this, it is necessary to take certain precautions like doing flea control in and around the house. Taking your dog to the vet for frequent check ups will ensure that your pet maintains good health.