Tapeworms in dogs are more common than you imagine, but you need not stress about a parasite harboring in your petโs gut. You can try several medications that are effective for eliminating tapeworms and keeping them at bay for good.
When raising a canine companion, pet parents often worry about diseases like kidney issues, heart problems, and osteoarthritis. Intestinal parasites are often not on their mind, but they can affect dogs in more ways than one can imagine. A recent study conducted by the University of Calgary states that drug-resistant parasites are common in pet dogs across the US, affecting nearly 50% of them.
Another recent article highlights warnings by scientists for pet parents about a fatal parasite found in the Colorado River. The parasite, liver fluke (heterobilharzia americana), could potentially lurk in a larger portion of the river in Southern California near the Arizona border. While the parasite is not a threat to humans, it can kill dogs. Veterinarians have reported 11 cases of canine schistosomiasis, a disease caused by this parasite, in the last five years.
With these facts and events raising the alarm, dog parents should pay more attention to common parasites such as tapeworms. According to studies, Dipylidium caninum is the most commonly found tapeworm in dogs, with a prevalence range of 4.0% to 60.0%. While these numbers are a reason to worry, a proactive approach is enough to treat tapeworms and eliminate them from your dog’s gut.
In this article, we will share a complete overview of tapeworm infections, their signs, effects, and effective treatment measures.
Signs Your Dog Has Tapeworms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the proglottid segments are visible on the surface of the infected dog’s feces or crawling near the dog’s anus. As the proglottid dries out, tapeworm eggs are released into the environment. Getting the visual signs right can be tricky for first-time pet owners.
Christine Stewart, DVM from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, notes that fresh segments around the anal area resemble little white, weakly crawling worms. On the other hand, dry tapeworms look like rice or sesame seeds.
Other common signs of tapeworm infestation include:
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Scooting across the ground, rugs, and rough surfaces
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Licking or biting the rectal areas
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Tapeworm segments in the dog’s bedding
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Worms in the pet’s vomit
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Weight loss despite eating normally
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Distended abdomen
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Diarrhea
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Dull coat
While serious infections are not usually caused by tapeworms, you can spare your dog from uncomfortable symptoms by acting quickly. Adult tapeworms cling to the intestinal walls of dogs to feed and proliferate. In this way, even if your dog eats well, they deprive it of the best nourishment possible.
It is best to seek therapy as soon as possible. If the issue is not addressed, tapeworm life cycle propagation will occur as segments holding eggs travel through the feces. After consuming such infected fleas, another host may become sick. Flea larvae in the environment consume the eggs to propagate them further.
Treatment Options for Tapeworm Infection
Research shows that dog infections with Dipylidium caninum, or tapeworms, are underreported because there are insufficient proglottid observations and detection methods that are currently in use. To get rid of these parasites from your pet's stomach, you can monitor any telltale signs carefully and look into treatment alternatives.
The primary course of treatment is giving deworming medications in accordance with a veterinarian's recommendation. But even after getting rid of your dog's tapeworm infestation, you can't take it easy. To lower the chance of re-infection, you must take appropriate preventative measures. The following preventive steps are helpful:
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Applying a flea preventive
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Clean up after your pet when taking her on walks or in public dog parks
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Avoid letting your pet roam unsupervised
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Stay regular with scheduled vet visits
Albert Turner, a seasoned dog parent, says that he has never been without a dog. He ensures that his pet is regularly tested for internal parasites, treated if required, and given preventative medications and all her necessary shots.
Additionally, he bathes his dog regularly, trims her nails, and expresses her anal glands as needed. With these steps, he has never experienced ill effects from parasites despite being licked in the mouth and having swallowed dog fur. This clearly shows the significance of good care and hygiene.
How Effective is Veterinary Medicine?
Vet-recommended tapeworm medications are effective at eliminating them. However, reinfection can occur if your dog continues to hunt and roam in infested areas. We will now list a few products you can rely on to address tapeworm infestations for the most common species.
Elanco Tapeworm Dewormer for Dogs
Elanco Tapeworm Dewormer for Dogs is a tapeworm dewormer with a targeted approach to eliminating these parasites from the canine gut. It contains praziquantel as the primary ingredient. The product specifically targets tapeworm segments, leading to thorough elimination and minimizing the possibility of re-infestation.
You can depend on this product to tackle various tapeworm species, including Taenia pisiformis. The best part is that it offers comprehensive protection to dogs of all age groups, from playful puppies to adult dogs.
Interceptor Plus
An FDA-approved dog medication, Interceptor Plus can shield your pet from five potentially lethal parasites. These comprise whipworms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and heartworms. Because the chewable tablet comes in a tasty chicken flavor, even dog owners with picky eaters will find it easy to administer.
The drug contains potent active ingredients, Milbemycin Oxime and Prazantiquel, effective for preventing, controlling, and expelling internal anti-parasitic worms. Studies show the efficacy of this combination as a preventive measure.
While Milbemycin Oxime is a strong parasiticide, Praziquantel is a prescription anthelmintic that eliminates tapeworms. Furthermore, as an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), praziquantel prevents freshly hatched insect larvae from maturing into adults and from procreating.
Sentinel Spectrum Chews for Dogs
Sentinel Spectrum Chews for Dogs is a chewable that safeguards your pet from six dangerous parasites: tapeworms, heartworms, whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, and fleas. These beef-flavored chews are prescribed monthly to prevent, control, and kill intestinal parasites and keep your canine friend in its healthiest condition.
Milbemycin Oxime, Lufenuron, and Praziquantel are the active ingredients in this deworming product. As with the last product, Milbemycin Oxime and Prazantiquel keep parasites at bay through elimination and growth regulation.
Lufenuron is an insect growth regulator (IGR), just like praziquantel. It stops the growth of flea eggs and keeps the larvae from maturing into adults, upsetting the flea’s life cycle. Furthermore, Lufenuron is a quick, easy, and efficient way to treat fungal infections in dogs.
Panacur C - Canine Dewormer
Another vet-recommended canine deworming product you can trust to deal with tapeworms is Panacur C - Canine Dewormer. The medication contains the powerful compound fenbendazole, which is very beneficial for treating dog parasite infections. It can be used to treat a broad range of parasites, including roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.
Fenbendazole is an FDA-approved anthelmintic medication that works well to keep dogs' gastrointestinal tracts free of parasites. It prevents the disease-causing parasite and kills nematode eggs from metabolizing energy. Panacur C can help prevent parasites in your pet for an extended period when used regularly.
Drontal Plus for Large Dogs
A prescription drug called Drontal Plus is used to treat the majority of common worms, including whipworm, ringworm, and tapeworm. The fact that a single dosage of broad-spectrum dewormer is sufficient to permanently eradicate parasites is its best feature. Although the medication is meant for large dogs, it can be safely used for puppies weighing more than two pounds and older than three weeks.
Drontal Plus requires little work to keep your dog and house free of worms. This product contains Febantel, Pyrantel Pamoate, and Praziquantel as active components. Remember to seek vet recommendations for the ideal dosage for effective and sustainable results.
Bayer Quad Dewormer for Dogs
A highly effective and broad-spectrum canine dewormer, Bayer Quad Dewormer for Dogs can address various types of canine intestinal parasites like hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms. You can rely on this product to produce safe and effective results because it is made by a respected name in the pet healthcare industry.
The main ingredients in this product are febantel, pyrantel pamoate, and praziquantel. Tapeworms that are administered praziquantel experience muscular spasms, which cause them to separate from the intestinal wall and then exit the body. Roundworms and hookworms are killed by pyrantel pamoate, which paralyzes them. By interfering with the metabolism of their energy, Febantel gets rid of parasites.
In conclusion, it's not as hard as you might think to treat tapeworms that are residing in your dog's small intestine. But you have to recognize them early on based on outward signs as well as other indicators, and you have to see your veterinarian right away. After evaluating your dog's health, your veterinarian will suggest a safe and efficient treatment plan.
