Yes however, the risk of infection with this tapeworm in humans is very low. Because of this, veterinarians depend on you to notify them of possible tapeworm infection in your pet.Ĭan I get a tapeworm infection from my pet? Dipylidium tapeworm eggs are rarely released into the feces and are therefore not usually detected by routine fecal exams performed by your veterinarian. Tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed when the moving segments are seen crawling around the anus or in a bowel movement. How is tapeworm infection diagnosed in my pet? If this happens, a worm several inches long may be seen. Occasionally, a portion of this tapeworm will be passed when the dog vomits. Sometimes, an infected dog will “scoot” or drag its anus across the ground or carpet because the segments are irritating to the skin in this area. Weight loss may occur if your pet is heavily infected. Tapeworms are not usually harmful to your pet. What kind of problems do tapeworms cause for the dog? The dried proglottids are small (about 2 mm), hard and yellowish in color and can sometimes be seen stuck to the fur around the pet’s anus. Proglottids contain tapeworm eggs these eggs are released into the environment when the proglottid dries out. How would I know if my pet has a tapeworm infection?Īlthough cats and dogs are rarely ill as a result of a Dipylidium tapeworm infection, the proglottids can sometimes be seen crawling near the anus or on the surface of a fresh bowel movement. As the tapeworm matures inside the intestine, these segments (proglottids) break off and pass into the stool. Adult tapeworms may measure 4-28 inches in length. The adult tapeworm is made up of many small segments, called proglottids, each about the size of a grain of rice. Once the flea is digested by the dog or cat, the larval tapeworm is able to develop into an adult tapeworm. A dog or cat may swallow a flea while self-grooming. How did my pet get the Dipylidium tapeworm?īy swallowing a flea infected with a tapeworm larvae. Infection is common and found throughout the world. The most common tapeworm of dogs and cats in the United States is called Dipylidium caninum. What is the most common kind of tapeworm dogs and cats get?

Dog has large flat worms in poop