Chances are, your canine companion is infected with tapeworms.

What Are Canine Tapeworms?

Canine tapeworms are one of the most common parasites that a dog can acquire. They attach themselves to the dog’s intestine, competing for the nutrients from the food that the dog takes in.

During the early stages of infestation, the dog may exhibit a more voracious appetite to compensate for the nutrients he’s losing. Latter stages of the infestation would produce an inverse effect, however, as the dog may become lethargic and may refuse to eat.

Canine tapeworms can be as short as 2 centimeters to as long as 2 inches.

How Do Dogs Get Canine Tapeworms?

Dogs often acquire canine tapeworms by coming in contact with wastes left behind by rats, mice, rabbits and other rodents that are favorite targets of these parasites.

However, most dogs acquire canine tapeworms via the fleas they manage to ingest. Fleas are common problems for many dogs, and all it takes is a single flea infected with tapeworm to start an infestation inside the dog’s system.

The Dangers Of Canine Tapeworms

Though a mild infestation is generally harmless, canine tapeworms are nevertheless parasitic in nature, competing for essential nutrients, which may in turn deprive your beloved pet of the daily requirements he needs for a healthy life.

Severe cases of canine tapeworm infestation will cause either chronic diarrhea or constipation. Diarrhea may lead to dehydration. Constipation may lead to intestinal and liver problems. Either manifestation should warrant an appointment with the vet.

In some instances, dogs that have severe infestations of canine tapeworms become lethargic. Their level of activity suddenly drops, and it would seem that they don’t have an appetite for anything that you will prepare for them.

These perils are in addition to the very annoying feeling of anal itch that your dog has to endure.

Truly, canine tapeworms must be eliminated as soon as an infestation is discovered to prevent graver consequences. Getting rid of these parasites is quite simple, and there is no reason why their extermination should be postponed.

How To Know If Your Dog Has Canine Tapeworms

Dogs suffering from an infestation of canine tapeworms usually exhibit the following symptoms:

1. The aforementioned itchiness of the anal area which is manifested by the dog’s attempts to relieve himself of such irritation.

2. Canine tapeworm segments, usually in the shape and size of a grain of rice, that are attached to the dog’s stool. They have a whitish color.

3. Newly segmented tapeworms found on the dog’s stool. Sometimes, they may still be alive.

4. Canine tapeworm eggs can likewise be found in the dog’s tool. You can drop a stool sample on water, and if eggs are there, they should float to the surface.

5. Chronic diarrhea that lasts for at least a week; or constipation that lasts for at least 4 days.

6. Lethargy, though such an occurrence is rare. Loss of appetite may be a symptom, but it is often a consequence of lethargic behavior.

If your dog shows any two of the above symptoms, we can say with relative certainty that his system has been infested by canine tapeworms.

What To Do When Your Dog Has Canine Tapeworms?

An ounce of prevention, of course, is always worth more than a pound of cure. Fleas are the number one causes of the threat of canine tapeworms, hence, getting rid of fleas should be the first step. There are many flea-eliminating solutions available in the market, ranging from sprays to air fresheners to worn collars to soap and shampoo.

There are home remedies, most definitely, but because there are many variables at play, each of them entails some risks.

Some dog owners suggest sprinkling garlic powder over the dog’s food or burying a clove of garlic near the dog’s favorite spot. Tapeworms are said to abhor garlic, and garlic-laden food will starve them to death.

There are over-the-counter medications available as well. Tapeworm tablets are the most popular, with Droncit Canine Cestocide and Tape Worm Tabs being the leading brands.

If the dog has already been infected by canine tapeworms, the best approach is to bring him to the vet. The stage of the infestation can only be determined via professional diagnosis. The vet is the only person who can tell for certain the extent of the infestation as well as the best treatment or treatments for the same.