Our dogs are more prone to worms than we might think. Learn how to recognize a tapeworm and how to treat your dog.

What are Tapeworms?

There are different types of tapeworms, and they are more common in dogs and cats than you might realize. They live inside your dog and are therefore difficult to detect. They get their name from their ribbon-like appearance and can grow to about 60 cm. Most worms anchor themselves in the small intestine using hook-like organs and extract nutrients from your dog’s food.

Tapeworm in Dogs

The tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) is one of the most common tapeworms that dogs can contract. They are transmitted by fleas infected with tapeworm larvae. The tapeworm lives in your furry friend’s digestive tract, where it extracts nutrients from the food. Note that infected fleas can also transfer to humans, potentially infecting them with the tapeworm.

Fox Tapeworm in Dogs

As the name suggests, foxes are primarily infected with the so-called fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis). It is transmitted similarly to the tapeworm by fleas or rodents. Through direct contact or sniffing/eating the feces of infected animals, fleas or eggs can enter your dog’s body and infect it with the fox tapeworm.

Dog Tapeworm in Dogs

Especially in southern European countries, the dog tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus) is known. Herbivorous ruminants such as sheep or goats serve as intermediate hosts, which is why it occurs mainly in areas where a lot of sheep and livestock farming is practiced. Mostly, dogs and cats, but also foxes or badgers, are infected through direct contact or feces.

Symptoms: How can I recognize a tapeworm in my dog?

Since the tapeworm comfortably settles inside your dog, the parasite is usually discovered late. However, those who know their dogs well can recognize a few external signs of a worm infestation:

Dogs only have a bloated “worm belly” when the infestation is already quite advanced. This is often observed more frequently in puppies, very young, or immunocompromised dogs, as they suffer significantly more from tapeworm infestation.

Treatment of Tapeworm in Dogs

If you suspect that your dog may have a tapeworm, you should consult your veterinarian. Ideally, bring along a stool sample, as it will be examined for worms, eggs, or other abnormalities in the clinic.

Depending on which tapeworm your dog is infected with, veterinarians prescribe the appropriate deworming medication. These are usually tablets that you need to give to your furry friend over several days. Don’t worry, with the right treat, you can easily get any medicine into your dog’s stomach!

Effectively Preventing Tapeworms in Dogs

The most effective method to protect your furry friend from tapeworms is good prevention. You can reduce the risk of a cucumber tapeworm by consistent flea treatment.

However, when it comes to deworming, things are a bit different. Here, too, you can of course treat your dog prophylactically at regular intervals. But keep in mind that deworming does not prevent your dog from getting tapeworms. The treatment only prevents worms already inside the dog from developing further so that eggs are not expelled, potentially infecting other animals. Therefore, regular deworming and feces examination can prevent the shedding of infectious tapeworm segments.

How often you should deworm your dog prophylactically depends on various factors such as diet, living conditions, and keeping. It’s best to consult with your trusted veterinarians; they will surely help you and can better assess your situation.