by Katrina Murphy

Created on: February 11, 2009   Last Updated: February 17, 2009

Providing quality care for dogs requires focus on parasite control. One of the common parasites to watch for is tapeworm. Understanding reproduction of the tapeworm, symptoms, treatment and prevention will help you rid of dog tapeworm.

How Does A Dog Get Tapeworm?

The tapeworm attaches to its host by clamping onto the intestine. As it grows, segments break off and exit through feces. Once outside, the detached segments break open to release tapeworm eggs.

While flea larvae consume materials from the ground, they ingest tapeworm eggs. The larva matures into an adult flea and internally carries the tapeworm. The adult flea seeks blood from dogs and attaches to the skin. When the dog grooms his coat, by licking, he ingests the flea. The flea breaks apart during digestion and the dog becomes a new host for the tapeworm. Reproduction of the tapeworm is cyclical.

Can Humans Get Tapeworm?

Tapeworms can transmit to humans, but only by the same means as dogs. A person must ingest an infected flea to host a tapeworm. Always wash your hands after handling pets and prior to eating. Encourage children to practice this precaution.

Tapeworm Symptoms

Cases of canine tapeworm frequently go unnoticed. The most common symptoms of tapeworm are visible signs in the stool and around the anus. Segments of tapeworm that pass through the feces look like grains of rice. They will appear on fresh stool and are often seen crawling in the fur around a dog's anus or bedding.

Symptoms of tapeworm are not always obvious, so provide stool samples for analysis during veterinarian appointments.

Health Risks

Tapeworms pose less risk to canines than to humans. They absorb nutrients passing through the digestive system, but rarely cause serious impairment. In severe cases, the dog may lose weight. However, control is important to promote a healthy environment for dogs and their owners.

Tapeworm Treatment and Prevention

When physical evidence or stool analysis confirms tapeworm infestation, your veterinarian will administer medication to dissolve the tapeworms. Tapeworm treatment is simple and inexpensive, yet flea control is vital to elimination and prevention. The dog may require a second course of tapeworm medication following removal of flea infestation. Use of topical monthly flea preventatives, such as Frontline, will remove the risk of dogs ingesting fleas.

While fleas contribute to the most common type of tapeworm, other types reside in small mammals, such as rabbits. Dogs naturally eat small mammals, but discourage this behavior when possible. Bi-annual stool analysis of hunting dogs will aid control and prevention of tapeworm.

Canine tapeworm is common, but easily treated through flea control and medication. Knowledge of tapeworm reproduction and transmission will help you help your dog remain free of tapeworms.

Learn more about this author, Katrina Murphy.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.