What are tapeworms?

Tapeworms are intestinal worms. Unlike roundworms that live freely in the intestinal tract, tapeworms attach to the wall of the small intestine by hook like mouthparts.

The adult worms may reach up to 8 inches in length. The worms have segments that developed from the head. These segments are passed in the feces when the dog defecates. They are about 1/8” long and look like grains of rice. Occasionally they can be seen moving on the hairs around the anus or on freshly passed feces. As the tapeworm segment dries, it becomes a golden color and the fertilized eggs are released into the environment.

Unlike roundworms, dogs cannot become infected by eating fertilized tapeworm eggs. Tapeworms must first pass through an intermediate host, a flea, before they can infect a dog or cat.

How do dogs get tapeworms?

When the infected eggs are released into the environment, they have to be swallowed by immature flea larvae  in the environment. Once inside the larval stage of the flea, the tapeworm egg continues to develops into an infective tapeworm as the flea matures into an adult flea. During grooming or in response to a flea’s bite, the dog can ingest the flea carrying the infective tapeworm and the life cycle is completed.

How is diagnosis made?

Clinical diagnosis is usually made by observing the white mobile tapeworm segments in the feces. They often look like grains of rice.

Tapeworm segments are only passed intermittently and therefore are often not diagnosed on routine fecal examination. If you find any segments, white or golden color, bring these to us for a definitive diagnosis.

What is the treatment?

With today’s drugs, treatment is safe, simple and effective. Treatment may be given either in the form of tablets or by injection.

These drugs are very safe and should not cause vomiting or diarrhea or other adverse side effects.