Like most of the people, you probably consider your dog a member of the family. But do you know your loving pet could pose a health risk for all in the family? Learning about canine parasites will not only help you protect your dog, but also yourself, your family and your love ones – especially since some of the dog intestinal parasites that infect dogs can also infect humans through what is known as zoonosis.

The major types of canine intestinal worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. You need to know how to prevent your dog from being infected by these intestinal parasites.

Click here to watch video on how you can prevent heartworm in dogs and puppy.

More about canine intestinal parasites prevention.

The bodies of tapeworms are actually made up of a head from which a series of segments will grow.

So how do dogs get tapeworms? They become infected with Taenia pisiformis tapeworms by eating rabbits, which may carry the infective stage of this worm.

Dogs may also become infected with other species of tapeworms by eating fleas that carry the infective stage.

The life cycle of tapeworms in dogs:

Residing inside the small intestine of the dog, tapeworms attach to the intestinal wall by means of suckers in their heads.

A long series of segments trail from the head as tapeworms continue to grow. Taenia pisiformis can reach a length of 80 inches (200 cm).

Tapeworm segments containing eggs continually break off and are passed in the infected dogs’ feces. The segments, which look like grains of rice, may be seen in the feces or clinging to the hair on dogs’ hindquarters.

Small mammals, such as rabbits and squirrels, can serve as intermediary hosts for Taenia pisiformis. Small cysts in the muscle of these animals contain young tapeworms.

When a dog eats an animal carcass, it also ingests these cysts. Once inside the dog, tapeworms grow to adult stage.

Symptoms of tapeworms in dogs and the resultant health risks.

While large tapeworms can take up a lot of space in the intestines, they seldom cause severe problems for dogs.

With severe worm infections, intestinal upsets can vary from diarrhea to constipation.

Since the parasites may interfere with the absorption of nutrients, mild weight loss or slow growth may also occur.

Segments, which cling to infected dogs’ hindquarters, can cause irritation. As a result, dogs may scoot or drag their rear end across the floor.

Health risk to people: zoonosis

It is very rare for canine tapeworms to be transmitted to humans.

Canine Tapeworm Treatment

Treatment and control of canine tapeworm infections involves the use of dog dewormers that effectively remove the tapeworm head, as well as the segments.