Tapeworms are flat, white worms consisting of a head followed by a chain of separate segments. Each segment is filled with tens of thousands of tapeworm eggs. The most common tapeworm measures between 20 and 80 centimeters long. The tapeworm lives in the dog’s small intestine, where it attaches to the intestinal wall using hooks. When segments containing eggs mature, they detach and crawl toward the dog’s anus. At that point, the eggs become visible in the feces or stick to the dog’s fur.
The most common tapeworm in dogs is Dipylidium caninum. Infection occurs through flea larvae and lice. Fleas and lice ingest the tapeworm eggs and are then ingested by the dog, leading to infection.
The Dipylidium tapeworm is not dangerous but causes considerable discomfort for the dog and can also be transmitted to humans.
There are also tapeworms transmitted by eating (parts of) other animals or feces. The most common tapeworms transmitted this way are Taenia species, the Fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis), and the Dog tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus).
The Taenia tapeworm causes itching but generally no severe symptoms. The Fox tapeworm and Dog tapeworm cause no symptoms in the dog but can be transmitted to humans. The Dog tapeworm establishes itself in human organs and liver and can cause health problems. Infection with the Fox tapeworm can cause severe illness and may be fatal.
Dogs with tapeworms often suffer from itching around the anus. A typical sign of infection is “scooting,” where the dog drags its rear end along the ground while sitting. In severe tapeworm infections, the dog may experience abdominal pain or diarrhea and may lose weight.
If your dog tests positive for tapeworms in the fecal examination, we will provide you with personalized treatment advice. This ensures your dog's health is prioritized and unnecessary deworming is avoided. Please feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we are happy to assist you.
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