Tapeworms are parasites that can enter a pet's intestinal wall, causing damage and stealing essential nutrients. As it grows, the body parts of the worm that contain the eggs will break and exit the animal's body through feces. After leaving the animal's body, the worm eggs will hatch and infect other animals. If you have tapeworms inside your pet, segments of the worms may be seen sticking to the fur around the animal's anus or in its feces. Tapeworms look like grains of rice and may flounder like worms when squeezed. If you see these signs, act quickly and treat your pet.
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Part 1 of 3: Taking Treatment
Step 1. Look for common symptoms
In general, signs of tapeworms can be difficult to spot. The most obvious sign is when there are segments of the worm's body (which look like grains of rice), around the animal's anus or feces. Sometimes, the symptoms show up with changes in the animal's behavior. Dogs that seem to be dragging their bottoms across the carpet more than likely may already be infected with tapeworms. Dogs may find their anus itchy and so scratch it that way. Another rare symptom is anemia.
Step 2. Collect animal waste samples
Before prescribing medication, your vet may verify the presence of tapeworms. The best way to do this is to take a stool sample using a plastic bag. Do not touch the worm directly. Use a tool to collect and collect the stool sample. In certain cases, you may have to remove a segment of the worm from the dog's bottom. Or, your vet may ask for permission to look after your pet for a few hours and collect the specimens themselves.
Step 3. Call the vet
You will be asked to come in person for an examination, given a prescription over the phone or directed to buy over-the-counter medicines sold at pet supply stores. Deworming has many types, and most contain praziquantel. The most common deworming medications are Droncit, Drontal Plus, and Tradewinds Tapeworm Tabs. You can buy them at veterinary clinics or some pet shops. The vet will know exactly which treatment will eradicate the tapeworm. The type of treatment will be decided based on the pet's breed, size, and age.
- If you buy deworming at a pet store, be sure to follow the directions for the method of administration.
- Most of the drugs are oral, but there are also injectable drugs and external drugs.
Step 4. Follow the vet's instructions carefully
All of these drugs will have age and size specifications that you must follow. For example, most medications should not be given to young kittens (less than 8 weeks old) or kittens that weigh less than 1 kg.
Part 2 of 3: Giving Medicine
Step 1. Prepare the medicine
Whether in the form of pills, liquids, or over-the-counter medications, these drugs should always be at hand. If your pet won't take the medication, you'll have more trouble if you don't hold the medication.
Step 2. Take control of your pet
This can be done in a number of ways, and depending on the size of the animal, you may need someone else's help to do this. Start by cornering the hind legs. Animals are likely to retreat under any circumstances. If they couldn't retreat, they would be easier to control. Hold the head with one hand and administer the medicine with the other.
If you are taking oral medication, place your index finger and thumb on either side of your pet's mouth and tilt his head back. This is the most effective way to get the animal to open its mouth and take the medicine
Step 3. Apply or administer the medicine
After the animal is controlled, give the medicine. Apply external medicine according to the directions. Most external drugs are applied to the back of the animal's head/neck and cannot be changed once it has been applied. For pill type medication, put the medication into the cat/dog's mouth.
- For oral medications, keep your pet's mouth shut. Hold his mouth closed for 5-10 seconds and rub the outside of his throat gently. This will support the swallowing process.
- After that, make sure that the medicine has been swallowed. Dogs and cats will often regurgitate it.
Step 4. Respect your pet
Make this process a pleasurable experience for the animal. Getting worms is not what animals want. Give him a treat. Pet your cat or dog. If you do, the next treatment will be easier, because the animal will relate the experience to a pleasant treat and your affection.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Tapeworms
Step 1. Control fleas
Tapeworms must have a connecting host (lice) to complete their life cycle and reproduce in the next victim. Pets get tapeworm infections from ingesting fleas infected with tapeworm larvae, or from eating small mammals (usually rodents) that contain worms. Flea control involves treating pets, and cleaning the indoor and outdoor environments where the animals live. Various types of sprays, foggers (a device that sprays pesticides in the form of smoke), and traps can be purchased at most pet shops. Or, you can also contact a pest exterminator to come to the house.
If your pet lives in an environment with fleas, the worm infection may return within two weeks. Because drugs that treat tapeworm infections are so effective, re-emergence of worms is almost always caused by an environmental infection
Step 2. Call your veterinarian for a prescription for a special drug that prevents intestinal worms
Some drugs, such as Sentinel Spectrum, have a protective effect against fleas, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.
Step 3. Clean your pet's litter
Since tapeworms start their life cycle in animal waste, you should treat them from the start. Clean your cat's litter box. Clean and dispose of dog litter carefully. Use gloves. If possible, always use a disinfectant. Put the dirt in a plastic bag and throw the plastic bag away. Eventually, the worm will run out of breath as the air in the bag runs out. It is also a public safety service to prevent tapeworms from infecting other animals.
Step 4. Wash your hands after playing with pets
Regular soap or anti-bacterial soap will help keep you from getting tapeworm infections. You don't want to be accidentally infected with tapeworms.
