What are tapeworms?

The most common tapeworm of dogs (and cats) is called Dipylidium caninum. This parasite attaches to the small intestinal wall by hook-like mouthparts. Adult tapeworms may reach 8 inches (20 cm) in length. The adult worm is actually made up of many small segments about 1/8 inch (3 mm) long. As the tail end of the worm matures, the terminal segments break off and pass into the stool. Occasionally, the mobile segments can be seen crawling near the anus or on the surface of a fresh bowel movement. These segments look like grains of rice and contain tapeworm eggs; the eggs are released into the environment when the segment dries. The dried segments are small (about 1/16″, or 2 mm), hard and golden in color. These dried segments can sometimes be seen stuck to the hair around the dog’s anus.

How did my dog get tapeworms?

First, tapeworm eggs must be swallowed by flea larvae (an immature stage of the flea). Contact between flea larvae and tapeworm eggs is thought to occur most frequently in contaminated bedding or carpet. The life cycle of the tapeworm cannot be completed unless the flea swallows tapeworm larvae. Next, the dog chews or licks its skin as a flea bites; the flea is then swallowed. As the flea is digested within the dog’s intestine, the tapeworm hatches and anchors itself to the intestinal lining.

What kind of problems do tapeworms cause for the dog?

Tapeworms are not highly pathogenic (harmful) to your dog. They may cause debilitation and weight loss when they occur in large numbers. Sometimes, the dog will scoot or drag its anus across the ground or carpet because the segments are irritating to the skin in this area. The adult worm is generally not seen, but the white segments which break away from the tapeworm and pass outside the body rarely fail to get an owner’s attention! Occasionally, a tapeworm will release its attachment in the intestines and move into the stomach. This irritates the stomach, causing the dog to vomit the worm. When this happens, a worm several inches in length will be seen.

How is tapeworm infection diagnosed?

Tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed when the white, mobile segments are seen crawling on your dog or in the stool. Tapeworms are not usually detected by the routine fecal examination performed by the veterinarian. Because of this, veterinarians depend on the owner to notify them of possible tapeworm infection in the dog.

How is tapeworm infestation treated?

Treatment is simple and, fortunately, very effective. A drug which kills tapeworms is given, either orally or by injection. It causes the tapeworm to dissolve within the intestines. Since the worm is usually digested before it passes, it is not visible in your dog’s stool. These drugs should not cause vomiting, diarrhea, or any other adverse side-effects. Control of fleas is very important in the management and prevention of tapeworm infection. Flea control involves treatment of your dog, the indoor environment and the outdoor environment where the dog resides. If the dog lives in a flea-infested environment, reinfection with tapeworms may occur in as little as two weeks. Because the medication which treats tapeworm infection is so effective, return of the tapeworms is almost always due to reinfection from the environment.

How do I tell tapeworms from pinworms?

Tapeworms and pinworms look very similar. However, contrary to popular belief, pinworms do not infect dogs or cats. Any worm segments seen associated with dogs are due to tapeworms. Children who get pinworms do not get them from dogs or cats.

Are canine tapeworms infectious to people?

Yes, although infection is not common or likely. A flea must be ingested for humans to become infected with the most common tapeworm of dogs. Most reported cases have involved children. The most effective way to prevent human infection is through aggressive, thorough flea control. The risk of infection with this tapeworm in humans is quite small but does exist.

One less common group of tapeworms, called Echinococcus, is of particular concern as a threat to human health. These tapeworms cause very serious disease when humans become infected. This parasite is harder to diagnose than the tapeworm caused by fleas because the segments are small and not readily seen. Hunters and trappers in the north central United States and south central Canada may be at risk for infection by this worm if strict hygiene is not observed. Foxes and coyotes (and the wild rodents upon which they prey) are important in the life cycle of this parasite. Dogs and cats may also become infected if they eat rodents carrying the parasite. When eggs of Echinococcus are passed in the feces of the dog and cat, humans are at risk for infection. Free-roaming cats and dogs may need to be periodically treated with tapeworm medication. Rodent control and good hygiene are important in preventing the spread of this disease to humans. As with the more common tapeworm, infection with Echinococcus is infrequent but possible.

What can be done to control tapeworm infection in dogs and to prevent human infection?

• Effective flea control is important
• Prompt deworming should be given when parasites are detected; periodic deworming may be appropriate for pets at high risk for reinfection
• All pet feces should be disposed of promptly, especially in yards, playgrounds, and public parks
• Strict hygiene is important, especially for children
• Do not allow children to play in potentially contaminated environments.

Pet Nutrition

We carry select varieties of prescription based pet food from Hill’s and Medi-Cal. These are diets that have been produced after years of dedicated research in pet foods in their research labs before they are released for public pet consumption. Quality control is stringent and very high quality proteins and other ingredients are used. These foods undergo the highest level of testing to help ensure that they are not tainted by toxins, as in the pet food scare from the imported Chinese ingredients in recent times.

Prescription based Pet Food

These foods are categorized as prescription-based food (although you don’t need a prescription to purchase them and there are no prescription fees added on) because they are specially formulated for a variety of dietary needs. All pets have specific dietary needs that may be related to a health condition, age, size, breed or as preventive care to ensure conditions are not developed through consumption of foods that are not appropriate. These “prescription” foods contain qualities to meet those basic needs and in many cases are the only therapy for many medical conditions if correctly prescribed and used. Prescription medications in many cases are often overused, not needed or even contraindicated when using the correct diets.

Hill’s pet food product line includes more than 50 pet foods formulated for the many life stages and special needs that your pet will go through. As well, they offer 60 prescription diet brand pet foods. It’s no wonder then that with the importance of choosing the correct foods for normal healthy life stages as well as for medical conditions, that they keep these diets mostly as veterinary exclusive since they want to ensure that a professional recommendation is made first, to get the maximum benefit for each pet. Medi-Cal pet foods provide a complete line of diets of similar outstanding quality with the same veterinary exclusivity. Examples of prescription diets for medical benefits include specially designed dental diets through a unique manufacturing process that is intended to make the texture of their kibble a greater tool in the scrubbing of tartar off teeth; or specially formulated renal diets for kidney disease where the correct ratio of electrolytes to replace those lost in kidney disease, as well as strict protein restrictions, all designed to minimize the burden and aid the kidney in its function.

Pet Nutrition is Essential

Pet nutrition is of major importance in a veterinary practice because it has a great impact on the health and well-being of all pets. Just like humans, a pet’s diet is a key factor in the prevention and treatment of disease and maintaining good health.

You can visit the Hill’s and Medi-Cal websites to educate yourself more on the products and dietary supplements that they have to offer for your pet’s diet.

It is important to start your pet off with the proper diet from day one, so we encourage you to visit us for a nutritional consultation. A month of the wrong dietary regimen is a long time when you’re a young pup or kitty.

Pet Products

We carry a variety of pet products from hypoallergenic shampoos to treats and toothpaste. All of these pet products have been screened for quality, efficacy, and fair pricing. We are proud to offer our clients as many options as possible when it comes to purchasing items for their loved ones.

A sample of some of the Pet Products that we offer:

• Hill’s Prescription and Royal Canin/Medi-Cal diets – maintenance and medical diets
• Dietary supplements
• Ear cleaning products
• Flea products
• Durable dog and cat nail clippers
• Dental care products
• Odour and stain control

We carry products from the brand names you know and trust:

• Treats from Hill’s Prescription Diet
• Dental care products and shampoos from Virbac Animal Health
• Treats and food flavours from Medi-Cal Medi-Treats
• Dietary supplements and treats from Pfizer
• Special care solutions from Dermicare