Question by KS: How often do your dogs get tapeworm?
I found the infamous little rice grains stuck to one dog’s tail…again. This is the third time in 2 years. I use revolution which keeps them completely free of fleas. He was dewormed by the vet the other two times he got them. Why does he have them again and what am I doing wrong???

Do your dogs get them this often?

Best answer:

Answer by my brother is not a geek
nope never… sorry cant help you here

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Question by Jessica A: how do you get rid of tapeworm in dogs?
My puppy has had these worms now for about a month. I know it is tapeworm because when he gets out of the bed in the morning he has rice looking pieces in it. I have tried 1 pill but I am worried about giving it to him again soon because it has only been a few days since I used it. Does anyone think that it will hurt to give him another and do you think that might get rid of it.

Best answer:

Answer by Tina W
1) Rice looking worms are not tapeworms.
2) They are called pin worms.
3) You can buy an over the counter pill like you were talking about, but the best bet is to find a feed store. Someone there should be able to direct you to the best pill they have and tell you exactly how to administer it.
4) The best thing of all would be to bring the dog to the vet, because many times a dog can be infected with more than one type of worm, at the same time. Having a bad worm infestation can also cause gastric and immunity problems for the animal.

Good luck.

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Question by FoxSocks: OTC dog tapeworm medications?
The vet has bled me dry the last couple of months trying to diagnose my dog’s condition. As previously stated in some of my other questions, my 1-year-old rat terrier pup first had sporadic vomiting sessions of yellow foam, which the vet later diagnosed as a form of gastroenteritis. After awhile the symptoms disappeared and we went comfortably back to our way of life. Within the last two weeks, she has developed bloody diarrhea and incontinence. Upon visiting the vet again, and a fecal smear, she was diagnosed with whipworms and it was suggested I get her on Advantage Multi along with other medications to help stabilize her bowel movements.

Today she vomited what appeared to be her food upon first glance, but seemed to be just covered in what appears to be rice (not a part of her diet). After some research it appears to be tapeworms, which could also be causing her stool symptoms. I also recall her having long, spaghetti-like strands in her stool before this all started back up. Advantage Multi does not cover tapeworms, so it is likely she has them.

Does anyone know of any over-the-counter medications for tapeworms? I cannot afford to go to the vet again, even when discussing payment plans and reduced costs, I still end up footing a huge bill (the grand total has surpassed $ 500).
Thank you both for the information so far.

Madi, the local pet store did indeed carry praziquantel tablets, made by TradeWinds. Hopefully they work well and will finally cure her. Thank you for your suggestion.

Best answer:

Answer by Susie QZ
I don’t believe tape worm medicine is available over the counter any more. Sorry. If tje white strands look like they have segments, she probably does have tapeworm which is transmitted by fleas.

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Question by Leah: Are there long term side effects for taking tapeworm or whipworm preventative? Could it shorten dog’s lifespan?
My dogs are on heart worm preventative and they are soon going to be out and I’m trying to find the the right heart worm preventative medicine. I don’t like that there isn’t one heart worm pill that takes care of the tapeworms AND the whipworms. There are only heart worm preventatives that prevent against one or the other…not both. My dogs go to the dog park almost everyday and despite all my efforts they drink after other dogs. I know whipworm is somewhat rare but I would like to prevent them from getting it. …so in addition to my heart worm preventative I need a preventative for either tapeworm or whipworm. All this preventative medicine makes me nervous because I don’t like chemicals and I have a hard time trusting companies and also I have a disease and some doctors think it is from vaccinations you get when you’re a baby. This is what makes me scared of chemicals, vaccinations, and medicines. I use and do all these preventative measures but I don’t like it.I vaccinate my dogs and give them heart worm preventatives but I (myself) don’t even get flu shots even though I get sick every year. I would like to hear from someone that doesn’t like chemicals if they think there would be long term side effects or if it would shorten my dog’s lifespan?
Thanks.

Added info: I read that dogs can get whipworm from drinking infected water and a lady at 1-800 ped meds told me they can get in the water when another dog drinks in your dog’s bowl. Is this true?

Also, I posted this here and not in the pet section because I need a better answer than “It’s just a dog.” or dogs take them all the time… etc. Please help if you can.

Best answer:

Answer by ckm1956
Earlier this year, our dog passed away at the age of TWENTY. He’d been on worm preventatives a very long time. No side effects.

And yes, all worms are easily transmitted between dogs.

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Question by TropyWife: Noticed a tapeworm in my dogs feces this AM. He does not have fleas and has always been on Frontline. My other
dog does not have them. They are both indoor shih-tzus and only go out to poop. I will take to Vet on Monday. How do dogs get tapeworms w/no fleas on them?
Can their owners get tapeworms from dog?

Best answer:

Answer by arkpudel
Just because there is not a flea at that time, doesn’t mean there never has been. The fleas can still bite your dog, but are then killed by the drug.

I don’t believe you can get the worms from them, but I’m not positive on that.

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