Tapeworm Symptoms in Animals

Tapeworms refer to flat worms that grow in segments. Each tapeworm segment includes its own reproductive organs, and tapeworms continually grow new segments as the old ones are shed through feces. Tapeworms usually attach themselves to the intestines and absorb nutrients from their host. Some of the most common tapeworm species that infect cats and dogs include Dipylidium caninum, Echinococcus granulosus, Spirometra mansonoides and Diphyllobothrium latum. Dogs and cats usually get tapeworms from an intermediate host, like fleas. Preventing fleas is therefore essential to preventing tapeworms.

  1. Scooting

    • Tapeworm segments often irritate an animal's anus, causing them to scoot or drag their anus along the ground. You may also notice small white segments approximately the size of a grain of uncooked rice around their anus or in their feces. These are old segments of tapeworms, which may move for a short time before they die.

    Vomiting

    • Some animals with tapeworms may vomit up a tapeworm several inches long. This indicates that a tapeworm has moved up from the intestines into the animal's stomach, which causes irritation and discomfort.

    Weight Loss

    • Weight loss may occur in animals with heavy infestations of tapeworms. Weight loss occurs because stomach irritation decreases an animal's appetite and because tapeworms absorb nutrients from their host, depriving the host animal.

    Diarrhea

    • Tapeworms can also cause acute diarrhea in animals, since they disrupt and irritate the digestive system. Small tapeworm segments may also be present in diarrhea.

    Irritability

    • Tapeworm infestations can also cause an animal to become irritable or uncomfortable in general. Animals who start acting differently, have a changed appetite or seem uncomfortable may have tapeworms or another parasite.