How do pets get tapeworms?
A tapeworm segment is a packet of eggs that a pet eats by accident when it is eating something else. The “something else” is an intermediate host for the tapeworm. There are two kinds of tapeworm, with different hosts. One kind lives in the gut of fleas. When the pet chews at the flea, it swallows the tapeworm eggs. The other kind lives in the gut and muscles of small mammals and birds. Pets consume these when they are hunting.
What are the symptoms of tapeworm infection?
Most animals that have tapeworms do not show many signs. They may become picky eaters because the worms make them nauseous. Most owners diagnose tapeworms by seeing them on their pet.
What do tapeworms look like?
Most tapeworms are seen as segments (which are individual egg packets) either stuck around the anus or crawling out of a fresh stool. When dried up, they look like small rice grains. Before they dry out, they look like small white balls of jelly that inch along.
Is “scooting” a sign of tapeworms in dogs?
“Scooting”, or dragging the anus along the ground, is a sign of the area being itchy. Tapeworms are not irritating, and so do not cause pets to be itchy. If you see this behaviour, it usually means that your pet has blocked scent glands they are trying to unplug.
Can I get tapeworms from my pet?
Since tapeworms are spread by consuming an intermediate host, it is highly unlikely for a person to develop tapeworms. It is possible to get tapeworm eggs on your hands and get tapeworms from putting your fingers in your mouth.
How do you prevent tapeworms?
There are several medicines that will kill adult tapeworms that live in the intestine. The worms that are passed will be dead, but segments are full of eggs that could potentially hatch. You prevent reinfection by preventing exposure to intermediate hosts. Treat for fleas if there are any. If possible, keep your pet from hunting for mice and birds.
How often should I treat my pets?
Frequency of treatment depends on how often they are exposed to new worms. All tapeworm medicines kill the worms in the body, but do not persist to kill new worms that develop in a few more days. Pets that hunt all the time, or have a flea problem, should be treated every 2 to 3 months. Pets that are not obviously exposed should still be treated once per year. Talk to your vet about the level of risk for your particular pet.
Written by Morinville Veterinary Clinic
FAQs
A deworming medication called an anthelmintic may be given as a tablet or an injection. After treatment, the tapeworm dies and is usually digested within the intestine, so worm segments do not usually pass into the stool.
Do I need to wash my sheets if my cat has tapeworms? ›
Get your cat treated as soon as possible to make sure they are clear of worms. You should thoroughly clean all of your cat's bedding on a hot wash and any other blankets or sheets they may have touched.
How do you get rid of tapeworms without going to the vet? ›
While finding a remedy for tapeworms without going to vet might be tempting, there are no proven home remedy solutions. Dewormers are inexpensive and offer proven treatment for tapeworms in dogs. The “home” remedies that people claim to be effective in treating and preventing tapeworm infestation include: Garlic.
How long does it take to get rid of tapeworms in dogs? ›
Most commonly, your pup will be given two doses of a drug called praziquantel two weeks apart. The goal of this treatment is to interrupt the life cycle of any parasites affecting your pup. Two doses will generally suffice in curing these infections, but they have a tendency to recur.
Do tapeworms crawl out of cats? ›
Most dogs and cats infected with Dipylidium tapeworm do not show signs of illness. However, you can sometimes see the proglottids crawling near the animal's anus (butt) or on the surface of a fresh bowel movement.
Can tapeworms live in a litter box? ›
You may also spot the tapeworm egg segments in your cat's litterbox or near their anus. Pale yellow and mobile, the Dipylidium proglottids come out with the cat's feces, but the segments can also migrate from your cat's anus without the presence of stool.
Should I let my cat sleep with me if she has tapeworms? ›
If you've done everything you can to mediate the risk, it is unlikely that you'll get worms from your cat who sleeps with you. Cats can transfer parasites, including worms, to humans, but they're more likely to spread fleas and ticks. However, it's always best to practice preventative medicine and be careful!
How do you disinfect a house after tapeworms? ›
Steam Clean Your Carpets and Upholstery
Fortunately, it's an effective means to get rid of tapeworms and probably most parasites.
Can tapeworms survive on bedding? ›
Such environments may include contaminated hands, food, drink, bedding, clothing or furniture. It is also important to mention that tapeworm eggs can survive for up to two weeks outside the human body.
Does coconut oil get rid of tapeworms in cats? ›
Coconut oil is said to have a preventive effect against intestinal parasites like worms. In this case the coconut oil should be in the food. Again, coconut oil is insufficient if worms are already present but has useful preventative effects. If you suspect your cat might have worms or giardia, contact your vet.
Treatment for tapeworms in cats
In cats, these medications include epsiprantel, praziquantel, and fenbendazole. Epsiprantel and praziquantel are used to treat both dipylidium and taenia, and veterinarians may recommend fenbendazole for taenia tapeworms in some cases as well. Treatment for fleas will also be needed.
Can tapeworm eggs live in carpet? ›
The tapeworm eggs can live in the environment in grass and soil, carpets and dust, so it is hard to eliminate the process of infection as we cannot keep this permanently clean.
Can I sleep with my dog if he has tapeworms? ›
Exposure to Parasites and Zoonotic Diseases
Sleeping in the same bed as your pet could also expose you to parasites—these can be external, such as fleas or ticks, and internal, such as worms, Whittenburg said.
Do tapeworms crawl out of dogs? ›
Chances are you won't see the adult worm. As it grows, though, some of its segments fall off and pass through your dog's poop. You may see these tiny parts crawling near your dog's backside or on their bedding. You may also see them moving around in their poop.
Can you touch a dog with tapeworms? ›
You cannot get Dipylidium caninum tapeworms directly from your dog, as it depends on the flea as the intermediate host. A person must swallow an infected flea to become infected with this type of tapeworm. A few cases of tapeworm infection have been reported in children.
Do tapeworms come out in poop after deworming? ›
Depending on what kind of worms your dog has, you may or may not see worms in their stool in the days following a deworming treatment. Most deworming products treat roundworms, hookworms and whipworms by paralyzing and killing the parasites; tapeworms are killed and broken up into smaller segments.
How long does it take for a cat to get rid of tapeworms after treatment? ›
For tapeworms, dewormers like praziquantel and epsiprantel are commonly used for cats. The good news is that these dewormers are pretty effective, and you can expect tapeworms to be gone within three days after treatment. On the flip side, roundworms need more aggressive dewormers such as Panacur or fenbendazole.
How to tell if a dewormer is working on a cat? ›
Generally, worming tablets start working within hours to a few days after administration. Your pet may pass worms in their faeces, which is a sign that the treatment is working - YAY!
What happens after you give your cat tapeworm medicine? ›
Nausea - Pets can experience a sense of queasiness or discomfort in the stomach. This might lead to decreased appetite or occasionally vomiting. Vomiting - Occasional vomiting is not unusual after deworming but usually passes quickly. Diarrhoea - Changes in stool consistency can occur as a result of deworming.
