Occasionally segments are seen crawling around the dog's anus. Tapeworm segments are only passed intermittently and therefore are often not diagnosed on routine fecal examination. If you find any segments, white or golden color, bring them to your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis.
Do I need to take my dog to the vet for worms?
Once worms are suspected to be affecting your dog, seek veterinary guidance right away for an exact diagnosis and treatment regimen. De-worming medication is usually necessary, and in severe cases, your dog may need to be hospitalized for treatment and observation.
Are tapeworms in dogs an emergency?
Tapeworms do not normally cause serious health problems in dogs. Occasionally dogs will drag their bottoms on the ground scooting in order to allay this irritation but this behavior can be for other reasons such as impacted anal sacs. In puppies, heavy tapeworm infestation can be more serious.
How long does it take to treat tapeworms in dogs?
The treatment for tapeworms is pretty straightforward. 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.
What happens if tapeworms go untreated in dogs?
If left untreated, tapeworms can also be quite dangerous to your dog. These segmented parasites make themselves comfortable inside your dog's intestines. These nasty little worms can reproduce in each of their segments, causing more worms and more strife for your dog.
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