Tapeworm in dogs

Parasites are creatures that live on or within a host creature. The parasites then survive by leeching off of their hosts. Oftentimes, the parasites do a great deal of harm to their host. Tapeworms are one of the parasites that affect dogs. As a dog owner, it is important to protect your dog against tapeworms to ensure your dog’s health and happiness.

Tapeworms are long, flat worms that are broken into segments. They live in the digestive systems of dogs. However, tapeworms do not have digestive systems of their own. Rather, they simply absorb nutrients from the dog’s intestines into their skin and bodies. Tapeworms are most commonly spread through fleas. Segments of the tapeworm break off of the main worm releasing eggs. The fleas carry the eggs, and bite the dogs. As the dogs try to bite the fleas to get them away, they end up ingesting the tapeworm eggs, thus allowing the tapeworm into their body.

There are various signs of tapeworm infection from your dog. He may experience abdominal discomfort from the worm within his intestines. Likewise, he may seem on edge, uneasy and overall uncomfortable. Some dogs actually vomit up whole pieces of the worm. It is important to talk to your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog might have tapeworm.

To treat tapeworm, your veterinarian will prescribe a medicine to dissolve the tapeworm within your dog’s body. Today’s tapeworm medicines are usually quite safe, with very little by way of side effects. To control future cases of tapeworm, begin by controlling fleas in your home and on your dog. Also take care to clean up your dog’s droppings in the yard. Avoid messy dog parks that are not regularly cleaned to further prevent the spread of tapeworm from affecting your dog.

It is important to take care to treat and protect your dog from tapeworm. Keep in mind that it is possible, though unlikely, for humans to also catch the parasite. Talk to your veterinarian for your best methods of prevention.