Tapeworms are common intestinal parasites that can affect both cats and dogs. Here’s everything you need to know about them.
How Pets Get Tapeworms
Pets typically contract tapeworms by ingesting fleas that carry tapeworm larvae. Fleas can be swallowed during grooming or while biting irritated skin. In some cases, pets may also get tapeworms from eating infected prey.
Symptoms of Tapeworms
While many pets may not show immediate signs of infection, some common symptoms include:
- Weight loss
- Scooting (dragging their rear across the ground)
- Visible tapeworm segments around the anus or in feces (often resembling small grains of rice)
- Vomiting (in severe cases)
It’s important to note that visible signs of tapeworms might not appear until the infection has progressed.
How Tapeworms Are Treated
Fortunately, tapeworm infections are easy to treat with deworming medications. These medications often administered orally or topically, work by dissolving the tapeworms inside your pet’s intestines. After treatment, the worms are usually passed out of the body through your pet’s feces. It’s essential to follow your vet’s recommendations and administer the full course of treatment to ensure all tapeworms are eliminated.
Preventing Tapeworms
Prevention is always better than treatment, and the best way to prevent tapeworms is to control fleas. Regular flea treatments, combined with proper hygiene and housekeeping, can significantly reduce the risk of tapeworm infections. Routine deworming, particularly for pets that spend a lot of time outdoors or around other animals, is also an effective preventive measure.
At Forestside Veterinary Clinic, we offer a range of flea control products and deworming treatments to help keep your pets healthy and tapeworm-free. If you suspect your pet has a tapeworm infection or want advice on prevention, don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment!
