Do Fleas Turn Into Tapeworms?
WouterThe first thing you need to know is what tapeworms are. Tapeworms are worms with long, flat bodies. They belong to the cestode group and have several different species. They are usually ingested by dogs while they are grooming or from grass and soil. Once inside the dog, the larvae travel to the intestine and attach to the mucous lining. When they reach adulthood, they grow into a tapeworm that can be up to 8 inches long. They are made up of segments and each segment has a separate reproductive tract. This allows them to continually reproduce and multiply.
If your dog has tapeworms, treatment is critical. A veterinarian can prescribe medication to treat the condition. Tapeworm medication is only effective against adult tapeworms. Tapeworm medication can be administered orally or topically. It is very important to treat the pet immediately and properly in order to prevent reinfection. Tapeworm medication is effective only if the pet has not eaten rodents, rabbits, or birds for at least a month. Until that time, the pet must be properly monitored.
Symptoms of tapeworm infection include excessive licking of the hindquarters. Another common sign is scooting, which can be associated with impaction of the anal sac. A veterinarian can diagnose tapeworm infection by looking for segments in fresh feces or examining the eggs under a microscope. There are also several medications for tapeworms that kill both types.
