Canine tapeworm treatment is best handled by a veterinarian. Pet owners who notice signs of tapeworm infection in their dog should take their pet to a veterinarian for a conclusive diagnosis and to check for any other types of parasitic infections or medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms. Once a dog has been treated for tapeworms, pet owners must ensure that all flea populations in the dog's environment have been eradicated to avoid repeated infections.
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Visit the Veterinarian
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Tapeworm infection symptoms include small rice-shaped worm egg segments around the dog's anal area or in the dog's stool, and dried rice-like egg segments on the dog's bedding and/or sleeping areas. As soon as you notice that your dog has tapeworms, you will need to take your dog to your veterinarian. The veterinarian will perform a fecal test to diagnose the presence of any other worms that may require treatment (e.g. roundworms, hookworms, or whipworms); a visual inspection will be made to check for any signs of fleas that may be contributing to the tapeworm infection.
A veterinarian will then either prescribe an oral tablet medication for the treatment of tapeworms or administer an antiparasitic injection. The antiparasitic used to treat tapeworm infection in dogs (in both oral and injectable medications) is called praziquantel, and while it is available without a prescription it is best to have your dog professionally examined and treated by a veterinarian. Praziquantel may cause nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea in some dogs, but these side effects are usually mild. Praziquantel cannot be used in puppies less than four weeks of age or in pregnant dogs, and it must not be given to older or debilitated dogs without the supervision and advice of a veterinarian.
Home Flea Control
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Home flea control is a necessary component of successful canine tapeworm treatment. If flea infestations in the home are not addressed, the dog will continue to become infected with tapeworms whenever fleas in the environment are ingested. If a dog is infected with tapeworms, monthly spot treatments applied to the dog's skin (e.g. Frontline or Advantage) are the most recommended form of flea control for complete flea eradication. Other animals in the home do not require tapeworm treatment too, unless they develop any signs or symptoms of tapeworm infection. Veterinarians often recommend an additional dose of praziquantel medication one month after the first dose, as it usually takes about one month to completely eradicate flea populations from a dog's environment.
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