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 | Tapeworms live and feed in the pet’s
digestive tract. Segments at the tail end of the worms break off and are passed
out of the pet with his feces. Worm segments remain in the feces or cling to
the pet’s coat near his rectum. |
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 | The excreted tapeworm segments,
distributed in droppings from the pet or by falling from his coat, contain eggs.
The segments break apart, releasing the eggs. |
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 | Flea larvae and small animals (such as
mice and other rodents) consume the tapeworm eggs. |
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 | While grooming herself, another pet
consumes the fleas infected with the tapeworms, or she catches and consumes a
small animal that’s infected. In either case, the cycle has been completed and
another cat or dog is infected with tapeworms. |
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| A Correct Diagnosis is Important! |
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| Sometimes it’s obvious that your pet has worms. Small
worm segments clinging to your pet’s coat near his rectum or contained in his
feces are a clear indication that your pet is infected. |
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| Other times it’s not so easy to tell. Scooting and
excessive licking of the anal area are often symptoms of tapeworms. But they
might also be signs of impacted anal glands. Tapeworms can cause diarrhea,
inflammation of the intestine, loss of body weight and a rough hair
coat. |
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| Accurate diagnosis requires an examination by a
veterinarian. At South Salem Veterinary Clinic we recommend that all pets
receive a fecal examination on a yearly basis in order to detect and treat
internal parasites early. |
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Effective flea control is the first line of defense
against tapeworms.
Learn more at our
Flea Control page. |
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