Question:
We got a dog last week. He is about a year old.

This morning I took him out to do his business and noticed he had a worm in his poo. The worm was a little less than an inch long. It was flat. Is there a web site that can help me identify what type of worm it is?

Thanks
Laura


Answer:
I wouldn't so much worry about what kind it is.. just get him de-wormed. Take him to the Vet for a check-up and bring a fecal sample with you. They'll de-worm him and do a fecal exam & let you know what type it is..


Answer:
I just talked to the vet and she said that it sounded like Tapeworm.

She was in a hurry and made me a quick appointment for Thursday. I did not get a chance to ask her about him being an inside dog and if I should keep him away from the kids or anything like that. I don't know what to do from now and Thursday.

Laura


Answer:
In dogs, tapeworm is usually caused by fleas. I would recommend a fleas/tick/lice treatment such as Frontline for your dog. The vet will most likely give you a prescription to treat the worms. It is possible for the tapeworm to be tranferred to humans. Keeping the dog away from the children probably won't do much go because it is the fleas that actually carry the parasite. And as you know, fleas reside pretty much anywhere in the house because of their mobility.


Answer:
I have not noticed any fleas on him. He does not scratch and he has had 2 baths with flea and tick medicated shampoo in the last week. So I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping all will be ok within the next 2 days.

Laura


Answer:
Unfortunately, bathing is not very effective in treating fleas. Yes, it will kill the fleas that are presently living on your dog but that is not treating even half of the problem. Being inside, your dog is the perfect transportation for fleas. The fleas fall off of him, into your carpet, bedding, couch, etc. and then reproduce by laying eggs. These eggs (up to 25 of them) then hatch and produce more fleas. These new fleas are now inhabiting your house, not your dog.

To treat fleas, you need to stop the cycle by killing eggs and adults. Using a preventative flea product (Advantage, Frontline, Revolution) and treating your entire house will most likely do the trick.

Here's some information from one of my favorite veterinary sources.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_tapeworm.html


Answer:
Ok, I took Atwell to the vet today for his rabies and checked for worms.

He had hook worm and Tapeworm. She gave him 3 pills. I kept him on a chain outside today so he can poo out the worms.

I did not think to ask her......But how long does it take for the pills to take affect and get all the worms out of his system?

Thanks
Laura


Answer:
Oh Yeah, She also checked him out to see if she seen any fleas. She did not see any. I think he is flea free. I never see him scratching or anything.

Thanks

Laura


Answer:
since you've only had him a week, perhaps the fleas are gone, but the worms were contracted before the fleas were effectively treated...where did you get him from?


Answer:
My friend's Daughter in Law gave him to us. They have 2 coon dogs with litters of pups and a cat with a litter of kittens. They had to get rid of him so they gave him to us.

Laura