A tapeworm is a parasitic organism that feeds on the body resources of its hosts, which can be animals as well as human beings. These worms have a head, known as scolex; a neck, which attached itself to the body intestinal lining and takes in resources from there to propagate and grow; and a segmented body with each segment having its own reproductive system. |
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In full maturity, a tapeworm can grow to a length of about 20 feet and it is noticed through its tail segments which break off and are passed out through excrement.
Dogs infected by tapeworm show anal irritation, weight loss, decrease in appetite vomiting, abdominal pain and rarely diarrhea. Most often the symptoms of the problem do not show themselves, so it is not diagnosed. However, it the dog is scooting, you can be sure that it has tapeworms. Scooting is the process of rubbing and dragging the anal region along the ground. Immediately after scooting, there will be rice-like grains visible near the anus which are nothing by segments of the tapeworm.
Tapeworms are treated through medications like Panacur, Droncit and Cestex which are effective in eliminating them from the body. In case the disease is in its early stages, such over-the-counter medicines are more than enough to treat the infestation. If the infestation is severe, the dog will have to be injected or given a liquid chemical solution orally to tackle the problem.
In addition, fleas should also be eliminated as tapeworm eggs are found inside fleas and usually dogs get infected by tapeworms when they accidentally ingest infected fleas. One thing to note about treatment given for tapeworms is that the treatment does not kill the eggs of the worm. Therefore, it is necessary to have a follow up treatment a weeks down the line.
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