Tapeworms in Dogs

Dogs are our beloved pets and friends. Dog care is something that we naturally owe to them. The problem of worms in dogs is something that is commonly faced by numerous dog owners. Dogs usually get infested with tapeworms when they consume a flea that carries tapeworm eggs. When the eggs enter the body of the canine, it matures and binds to the dog's digestive system. The adult tapeworm that is found in the dog's body looks like a flat tape which is divided into segments. The length of a fully grown tapeworm can measure up to 20 cm, i.e. 8 inches long. Lying in the digestive tract of the canine, the tapeworm absorbs the nutrients through its skin, giving rise to new segments at the neck area of the tapeworm, while the tail end detaches from the body, once it becomes completely matured. The tail segments actually contain the eggs of the tapeworm and are passed out of the body through the feces. One can find these segments on the dog's feces or near its anal area.

Among the different kinds of tapeworms, a kind of intestinal parasite, the most common parasite found in dogs is the dipylidium caninum. Others include taenia species, echinococcus granulosus, etc. Dipylidium caninum is usually spread through fleas. The flea larvae gets infested with the tapeworm eggs through the feces of some animal. When the flea bites the dog, it licks that part of its body, swallowing the flea during the act. The tapeworm known as echinococcus can also enter dogs through the consumption of some other kind of mammal. This parasite is usually found in rodents, and if a dog has eaten a rodent infested with this tapeworm, it would surely mature in the dog's intestine.

Symptoms of Tapeworms in Dogs

Though tapeworms in dogs are not always life threatening, it can surely lead to some dog health problems. These health problems also serve as symptoms of tapeworm in dogs. Let us look at some of them.

• As the nutrients meant for the canine are absorbed by the parasite, the dog may start losing weight considerably. Along with this, the dog would experience weakness and lack of energy too.
• If the tapeworm moves to the stomach area, the dog may experience abdominal discomfort and vomiting. Along with this, one may find the dog acting a little nervous too.
• Another symptom of tapeworms in dogs would be the presence of moving segments in its fecal matter. It may also be present on the anus of the dog, leading to irritation near that area. Due to this, one may find the dog licking or scooting constantly.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of tapeworm in dogs is usually done by the pet dog owners. They may observe moving or dried white colored segments in the stool of the dogs. Sometimes, tapeworms eggs may also be present in it. If their dog shows any of these symptoms, it is essential that they take it for a check up to a veterinarian who can give the proper treatment required.

To get rid of tapeworms in dogs, the veterinarian gives the canine a drug that destroys the parasite in the intestine itself. This drug that can either be given orally or is injected, and does not have any side effects like diarrhea or vomiting. As it is dissolved in the intestine quickly, one would not even notice it in the stool of the dog.

Once the canine is completely cured of tapeworms, the next step is to take precautionary measures so that it does not get infested by tapeworms again. There have also been cases where human beings have been infected with tapeworms, especially children. All this leads to the conclusion that it is extremely crucial to do an effective flea control in your environment. Dispose off canine feces immediately so as to curb spreading the disease. Keeping your home and surroundings clean and hygienic would help in the preventing of tapeworms in dogs, and keeping your dog's health in a very good condition.