Tapeworms, scientific name Dipylidium caninum, are parasites that infest the small intestines of many animals, including dogs and humans. They can grow of to 20 inches in length, with a body that is flat, white and segmented.

Their survival strategy is to latch on to the intestinal wall and pilfer nutrients from the food the host consumes. As the worm matures, the tail segments begin to break off. These segments look like grains of rice and can be clearly seen in the faeces of an infected dog. The segments contain eggs that will propagate the next generation of tapeworms.A dog cannot become infected by eating the eggs directly, but only by swallowing a flea containing the eggs. The usually happens when a flea larvae eats the tapeworm eggs. Later the flea matures and lives on the dog.

When the dog bites at an itchy spot on his coat, he swallows the flea. The tapeworm eggs then hatch and head straight for the intestines where they attach themselves and start to feed. After a time, they mature and the tail segments begin to break off. These are then passed by the dog and the cycle begin anew.

If you can get past the “gross out factor”, tapeworms are not actually harmful. These absorb a miniscule amount of nutrients and often cause no irritation at all. In some cases though, the infestation can be severe, and the dog may even begin to show signs of weight loss. It is therefore advisable to treat the dog if there are any signs of tapeworm.

You can normally tell by tapeworm eggs in the dog’s faeces. Contrary to popular belief, a dog that scoots his hind quarters along the ground is not usually doing so because of irritation caused by tapeworms. A more common cause of this behavior may be blocked anal sacs, or a skin irritation in the anal region.

The good news is that tapeworms are quite easy to get rid of. Simply treat your dog with a prescription, or over-the-counter de-wormer. You should be aware though that some commercial products contain mild pesticides, so using them over a prolonged period may cause other health problems.

Veterinary treatment usually involves a pill or injection. This medication works by dissolving the protective outer casing of the tapeworm, which is then digested and excreted from the body.

It is difficult to prevent your dog being exposed to tapeworm, but there are a number of things you can do to minimize the chances of an infestation.

For starters, you should give your dog a vet approved de-worming medication every 3 months or so. This will protect your dog from tapeworm, as well as other common internal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms.

It is also important to keep your dog free of fleas, as tapeworms cannot be passed without them. Simply give your dog a monthly flea preventative and keep the dog’s bedding and environment free of these pests.

Although is is very rare, there are some species of tapeworms that can actually pass from dogs to humans. So, if for no other reason, this should motivate you to have your dog treated.

To learn more about tapeworms in dogs, dog breed info, dog health and other interesting dog advice visit www.dogsanddogtraining.com

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