How to Treat Tapeworms in Pets

Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that attach to the walls of the intestines, consuming nutrients and causing harm to your pet. Once fully grown, the individual segments of the tapeworm, which contain eggs, detach and exit the body in the feces. After leaving the body, the eggs hatch into new tapeworms, continuing the cycle of infection. If your pet is infected with tapeworms, you may notice small segments stuck to the fur around the anus or find rice-like tapeworm pieces in the feces. Sometimes, in fresh stools, these segments may even wriggle, resembling worms. As soon as you notice these tapeworm segments, it's time to seek treatment for your pet.

Observe Common Symptoms. Generally, symptoms of tapeworm infections are hard to spot. The most noticeable sign is the presence of small, rice-like tapeworm segments around your pet’s anus or in their stool. Sometimes, you can diagnose tapeworms based on your pet’s behavioral changes. For example, a dog may suffer from tapeworms if it frequently drags its rear across the carpet or floor due to irritation around the anus. In some cases, pets with tapeworm infections may also suffer from anemia.

Collecting stool samples. A veterinarian needs to check for the presence of tapeworms before prescribing treatment for your pet. The best way to help the vet check for tapeworms is by collecting your pet's stool into a plastic bag. While collecting the stool, you should avoid direct contact with the tapeworms. Simply scoop the stool and place it into the bag. Alternatively, you can collect tapeworm segments from around the pet's anus. If this is not possible, you may keep your pet for a few hours so the vet can collect the sample themselves.

Contact a veterinarian. The veterinarian may ask you to bring your pet to the clinic for examination, prescribe medication over the phone, or directly guide you to purchase over-the-counter medicine at pet supply stores. There are many types of deworming medications, most of which contain Praziquantel to eliminate tapeworms. Common tapeworm medications include Droncit, Drontal Plus, and Tradewinds Tapeworm Tabs. You can purchase the medication at veterinary clinics or pet specialty stores. The veterinarian can inform you of the most effective treatment method for your pet. Depending on the pet's type, size, and age, the vet may prescribe different medications.

• If you buy deworming medicine at a pet store, be sure to follow the instructions printed on the packaging.
• Most treatments are taken orally, but in some cases, your pet might receive injections or topical treatments.

Strictly follow the veterinarian's instructions. All medications have specific limits regarding the age and size of your pet, so it is crucial to pay attention and follow the instructions. For example, most medications should not be used for kittens under 8 weeks old or kittens weighing less than 1.1 kg.

Hold the medication in your hand. Whether it's a pill, liquid, or topical treatment, always have the medication in your hand. If your pet resists taking the medicine, the process will be more challenging without the medication ready in your hand.

Keep your pet still. There are various ways to hold your pet, depending on its size, and you may need someone else's help. Start by securing the pet's hind legs. Pets may try to pull back in any situation where they feel resistance. If they cannot move backward, they will be more likely to take the medication. Use one hand to hold the pet's head and have the medication ready in the other hand.

• If you are administering oral medication, use your thumb and index finger to pry open your pet's mouth while tilting their head back. This is the most effective way to get your pet to open its mouth and take the medicine.

Give the pet the medicine. Once you've secured your pet, it's time to give them the medication. Apply topical treatments as instructed, typically on the back of the head/neck to prevent the pet from licking it off. For oral medication, you can place it directly into the pet's mouth.

• After administering the medicine, you should gently close their mouth for 5-10 seconds and rub their throat to help them swallow the medicine more easily.
• Ensure the pet has swallowed the medication completely. Pets, especially dogs and cats, can sometimes spit the medicine out.

Reward your pet. After giving the medication, make your pet feel good by rewarding them. After all, pets don’t intentionally get infected with tapeworms. You should give your pet a treat or show them some affection. By rewarding them, future treatments will be easier, as the pet will associate taking the medicine with tasty treats and love.

Eliminate fleas. Fleas are often the intermediate host for tapeworms to complete their life cycle and transmit the infection to other animals. Pets often get tapeworms after ingesting flea larvae, or by eating infected mammals or rodents. You should control flea infestations during the treatment of tapeworms, both indoors and outdoors where your pet lives. There are many flea-killing products available in the form of sprays, foggers, or traps at pet stores. Additionally, you may want to enlist the help of pest control experts to eliminate fleas.

• If your pet lives in a flea-infested environment, tapeworm reinfection can occur within at least two weeks. Tapeworm treatments are typically very effective, so reinfection is usually due to the environment.

Give pets medication to prevent tapeworms. You can consult with a veterinarian for specific guidance. Some medications like Sentinel Spectrum can help protect pets from fleas, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms simultaneously.

Clean up pet waste. Tapeworms often begin their life cycle from pet feces, so it's important to clean up your pet's waste promptly. Regularly clean the cat litter box and pick up dog waste frequently. Dispose of pet waste properly by wearing gloves and using disinfectants when possible. Put the waste in a sealed plastic bag to prevent air from escaping and suffocating the worms. This is a community health measure to help prevent tapeworm infections in other animals.

Wash your hands after handling pets. Frequently wash your hands with antibacterial soap to protect yourself from tapeworms. This practice helps prevent accidental transmission of tapeworms from pets.

• Although rare, tapeworms can be transmitted to humans. You may be at risk of contracting tapeworms from a dog if you accidentally ingest an infected flea. Most cases of tapeworm infections in humans occur in young children. The most effective way to prevent tapeworms is to actively and thoroughly eliminate fleas. While the risk is low, humans can still be affected by dog tapeworms.