Tapeworms--eek!

[ReadingMama]

My son found a flat, segmented worm on one of our new dog's poops.  It wasn't moving.  He also came to use with a little white, crusty looking area on his anus.  GROSS!  Apparently he has tapeworms.  His rescue group said they dewormed him when they rescued him 2 months ago.  Could he still be shedding dead worms?  Can it sometimes take more than one dose of dewormer for tapeworms? 

What do I need to do to make sure it goes away?  And that our other dog doesn't get it.  And that WE don't get it either!

He's on Heartguard and our other dog is on Interceptor. 

Thanks.

[starrlamia]

it can take multiple doses, and some worms need different medications. Heartguard doesnt get rid of tapeworm, your best bet is bringing him to the vet to get some meds to get rid of it. As for safety, I would ensure you pick up his poo and dont let it sit around, make sure you wash your hands after doing so (lol like you wouldnt!). You might want to clean off his bum too.

[ReadingMama]

Thanks for the advice.  The rescue group gave us two doses of tapeworm medicine to give 3 weeks apart.  Whew!  Do you know if it's true that tapeworm can't be passed from dog to dog or dog to human?  (That it has to come from injesting a flea or an animal with tapeworm.)

 

[starrlamia]

it depends on the kind of tapeworm, some you can only get from swallowing infected fleas, others you can get from feces.

[lonegirl]

Dipylidium is from fleas. Taenia-taenia is from rodents. Not from feces
 

Originally Posted by starrlamia 

it depends on the kind of tapeworm, some you can only get from swallowing infected fleas, others you can get from feces.

[starrlamia]

i just googled :P

 

Originally Posted by lonegirl 

Dipylidium is from fleas. Taenia-taenia is from rodents. Not from feces