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While the more common internal parasites of hookworms, roundworms and whipworms are more dangerous and do more damage than tapeworms, tapeworms do command the biggest reputation.
This is simply due to the fact that it presents at home, and can be unsettling to discover. Finding fresh live worms in your dogs stool is the most common method of discovering tapeworms.
The two most common tapeworms likely to find your dog are properly called Dipylidium caninum and Taenia pisiformis. They are usually derived from different environments, and it's important to differentiate them in order to administer the correct treatment.
Diylidium caninum uses fleas as an intermediate host. Often when a dog with fleas is grooming itself it will accidentally consume a live flea.
Taenia pisiformis on the other hand uses rodents as their intermediate host. When a dog chases mice, rabbits or other rodents and consumes any of their catch, it can result in this tapeworm.
There are a few other less common tapeworms. Some use sheep or northern rodents as a host. Sheep herding dogs and those that live in the northern half of the United States and in Canada should be aware that some tapeworms are more common in these areas. Annual fecal checks should be done by your veterinarian.
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| Basic Dog Health |
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| Adult Dog Care |
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