The scientific name for a tapeworm is Dipylidium Caninum. Tapeworms are actually internal parasites that live in your dog's small intestine. The only way for your dog to become infested with a tapeworm is to swallow a flea that had a tapeworm larvae on it. If your dog has a tapeworm, you may notice that he will begin to lose weight. You may even find small pieces of the tapeworm in his feces. If this happens, you will need to treat your dog right away.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic gloves
- Plastic spoon
- Plastic bag
- Vet appointment
- Scale
- Tapeworm medication
Instructions
Collect a sample of your dog's feces. You will need to wear a pair of plastic gloves and place the sample in a plastic bag.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your vet can determine whether or not your pet has tapeworms. Be sure to bring your feces sample so the vet can test it.
Get a tapeworm medication with the ingredient praziquantel from your veterinarian. This is a tablet that you will need to feed your dog.
Set your dog on a scale to find out how much he weighs.
Feed your dog 1/2 a tablet if she weighs less than 5 lbs. If she is between 6 and 10 lbs., give her one tablet. A dog that weighs between 11 and 15 lbs. requires one and half tablets to kill the tapeworms. Give two tablets to a dog that weighs 16 to 30 lbs. If your dog weighs between 31 and 45 lbs., give her three tablets per day. A dog that is a bit heavier and weighs 46 to 60 lbs. will require four tablets of the tapeworm medication to get rid of the tapeworms. Finally, any dogs that weigh more than 60 lbs. will require five tablets per day.