Tapeworms in Dogs: Comprehensive Notes

Tapeworms in Dogs

Introduction

  • Tapeworms are common intestinal parasites affecting puppies and dogs.

  • Infection rates can be as high as 49% in the United States.

Key Takeaways

  • Tapeworm infection occurs when a dog accidentally eats a flea, rodent, or other wildlife infected with tapeworms or tapeworm eggs.

  • Signs include seeing what looks like seeds (dried tapeworm segments) in the dog’s fur or bedding, or wiggly white worms resembling grains of rice in the stool.

  • While distressing, tapeworm infections are typically not a medical emergency.

Types of Tapeworms in Dogs

  • Several types of tapeworms can affect dogs:

    • Dipylidium caninum (very common): Dogs get these tapeworms from ingesting infected fleas or lice during grooming.

    • Taenia (second most common): Dogs get these tapeworms from eating infected rabbits.

    • Echinococcus (less common): Dogs get these tapeworms from eating infected rodents.

Symptoms of Tapeworms in Dogs

  • Most dogs show no signs of illness.

  • If symptoms are present, they may include:

    • Scooting their back end along the ground.

    • Licking or biting their tail area.

    • Tapeworm segments that look like rice (live worms) in their stool or seeds (dried tapeworm segments) stuck in their fur near the tail and anus.

    • Rarely, heavy infections can cause intestinal blockage, weight loss, or vomiting entire tapeworms.

Causes of Tapeworms in Dogs

  • Fleas are the most common cause.

  • Tapeworms are found throughout North America and anywhere there are fleas.

  • Dogs of all ages and breeds are at risk.

  • Risk factors include:

    • High exposure to fleas.

    • Being kept outdoors.

    • Hunting behavior.

    • Living in crowded conditions.

    • Living in warmer southern states where fleas thrive.

  • Infection process:

    • Dogs groom themselves due to flea bites and accidentally eat fleas.

    • Immature tapeworms inside the flea survive digestion and mature in the dog’s digestive tract.

    • Tapeworms can grow to 15-70 centimeters (6 to 27.5 inches) in length.

    • They shed small pieces about two to three weeks after infection.

  • Dogs can also get tapeworms from eating infected lice, rodents, or other wildlife carrying tapeworms or their eggs.

Diagnosis of Tapeworms in Dogs

  • Contact your vet if you see worms in your dog’s stool, find dried worm segments, or suspect tapeworms.

  • Diagnosis involves a stool sample:

    • You can bring a sample from home, or the vet can collect one.

    • Lab tests can determine the type of worm:

      • Fecal examination (fecal centrifugation and flotation): Detects microscopic parasite eggs.

      • Fecal antigen test: Detects certain proteins from intestinal parasites.

  • Tapeworm eggs may not always be present in stool samples, leading to underdiagnosis.

  • Veterinarians often run fecal tests to identify the worm type and check for other types of worms, as dogs can have multiple infections simultaneously.

Treatment of Tapeworms in Dogs

  • Tapeworms (most commonly Dipylidium caninum) are treated with praziquantel, a highly effective deworming medication.

  • Praziquantel is available as an injection from your vet, or in prescription and over-the-counter formulations.

  • Prescription formulations include:

    • Parasite preventives like Credelio Quattro that treat tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, fleas, and ticks, and prevent heartworm disease.

    • Droncit tablets.

    • Broad-spectrum deworming medications like Drontal Plus tablets.

    • Similar medications include Interceptor Plus and Iverhart Max.

  • Over-the-counter formulations include:

    • Elanco tapeworm dewormer for dogs.

  • In certain situations, other deworming medications like fenbendazole (Panacur) or epsiprantel (Cestex) might be prescribed.

Recovery and Management of Tapeworms in Dogs

  • Dogs generally recover quickly after treatment.

  • Tapeworm treatment must be combined with flea control to prevent reinfection.

  • Remove your dog’s stool immediately from your yard to prevent environmental contamination.

Prevention of Tapeworms in Dogs

  • Administer year-round flea preventative.

  • Choose a prescription parasite preventative containing praziquantel.

  • Prevent your dog from ingesting wildlife by keeping them on a leash or in a fenced yard.

  • How to get rid of tapeworms: Use a dewormer called praziquantel, as determined by your veterinarian.

  • Can tapeworms be passed from dog to human: Dipylidium caninum cannot be directly passed, but humans can get infected by eating an infected flea (rare).

  • Do I need to clean my house if my dog has tapeworms: Yes, to prevent reinfection:

    • Wash all bedding.

    • Promptly pick up stool.

    • Vacuum furniture, carpets, and rugs.

    • Steam clean furniture and floors if possible.

    • All pets in the house need to be on flea preventative.