Tapeworms rarely cause serious symptoms in healthy dogs. However, very young, very old, or dogs with compromised immune symptoms may exhibit more severe signs, like intestinal blockages. These can be fatal if not treated. Tapeworms attach to a dog's small intestine with their hook-like mouths.
Tapeworms are not usually harmful to your pet. Weight loss may occur if your pet is heavily infected. Sometimes, an infected dog will “scoot” or drag its anus across the ground or carpet because the segments are irritating to the skin in this area.
Tapeworms in dogs can cause serious health issues such as anemia, weight loss, and intestinal blockages if left untreated. If you notice any signs of tapeworms infecting your dog, it is important to see a vet as soon as possible for treatment.
If you think your dog might have tapeworms or any parasite, contact your vet right away to set up an appointment for an examination and to ensure that your dog receives the safest and most effective treatment.
NO! People may believe because worms are usually harmless in humans, that they're probably not too dangerous in dogs either and that they can rid themselves of them, but this is not the case. Dogs cannot get rid of worms themselves. Medical assistance will be required to some extent.
Treatment for Tapeworms in Dogs
Most commonly, your pup will be given two doses of a drug called praziquantel two weeks apart. The goal of this treatment is to interrupt the life cycle of any parasites affecting your pup. Two doses will generally suffice in curing these infections, but they have a tendency to recur.
Chances are you won't see the adult worm. As it grows, though, some of its segments fall off and pass through your dog's poop. You may see these tiny parts crawling near your dog's backside or on their bedding. You may also see them moving around in their poop.
The most common worm in Australian children is the threadworm, Enterobius vermicularis, sometimes called the pinworm. Infection with other worms such as roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms is less common. Threadworms are small, white, thread-like worms 2 to 13 mm long.
It takes three weeks from the time tapeworms are swallowed by the pet to the time segments can be seen by the owner.
It's important to note that some tapeworm infections don't require treatment. Sometimes, the tapeworm leaves the body on its own. This is why some people never have symptoms or only have mild symptoms. If a tapeworm doesn't leave your body, your doctor will recommend a treatment based on the type of infection.
In rare cases, tapeworm segments become lodged in the appendix, or the bile and pancreatic ducts. Infection with T. solium tapeworms can result in human cysticercosis, which can be a very serious disease that can cause seizures and muscle or eye damage.
If you have tried a threadworm treatment for your child and their symptoms have not improved, take them to your GP. The doctor will examine your child and may want to do blood or faeces (poo) tests. Also take your child to the GP if: your child passes a large worm.
People can pass tapeworm eggs to others when they don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. Tapeworm eggs in feces can then spread into food or onto surfaces like doorknobs.
Are tapeworms dangerous for my dog? Tapeworms do not normally cause serious health problems in adult dogs. Occasionally dogs will drag their bottoms on the ground, a behavior known as scooting, in order to calm irritation associated with the proglottids.
Fleas and rodents ingest tapeworm eggs found in the environment, which then hatch into larvae and live inside of them. After a dog ingests a flea or rodent carrying the tapeworm larvae, adult tapeworms develop and live in their small intestines.
Pumpkin seeds are a natural food which can eliminate tapeworms as well as other worms that may be infesting your dog. Pumpkin seeds contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin which naturally paralyzes and rids your dog of intestinal worms, including tapeworms.
NO! People may think because dogs do pick up tapeworms after too much contact with an infected dog, that they can directly get tapeworm from other dogs. However, tapeworms need an intermediary host, like a flea! A flea ingests tapeworm eggs from an infected dog.
Mebendazole does not kill the eggs of the worm. This is why you may need to take another dose 2 weeks later to help prevent reinfection. How long does it take to work? The medicine should start to work straight away but it may take several days to kill all the worms.
Deworming treatments start working within a few hours. Studies show deworming medications are 98% to 100% effective at eliminating parasites such as roundworms, which are often present in puppies at birth after being passed through the placenta or mother's milk.
Your puppy will pass worms with their poo after deworming. This happens for up to 3 days after the deworming process. If you do not dispose of the excrement properly, the eggs in the poop can cause reinfection if your pup comes into contact with them.
Another less common group of tapeworms called Echinococcus is of increasing concern as a threat to human health. These tapeworms cause serious, potentially fatal disease when humans become infected.
If they are well and eating / drinking / urinating / deafecating / breathing normally, then you don't need to present as an emergency.
Left untreated, adult tapeworms can live in a host body for up to 30 years.