derickd

well, its been 10 days since I have this lovely dobe (its 1 yr 5 mo. old). The first night, his stool looked like dark red tarry with blood mixed in.

I researched online and learnt if this persists for 1-2 days only its not serious (could be a piece of bone causing blood), though if blood comes mixed daily it could least point to worms, and even worst could point to a list of serious illness (including cancer) requiring immediate vet assistance.

Alright so I immediately decided to give him 'Interceptor' from Novartis ( heartworm preventative plus kills most type of worms). I was pleased next morning and till now his stools came better formed and no sign of blood.

So, this morning as he did his stool (and I was picking it up), I was taken aback as there were plenty of rice-shaped worms that were moving and very much alive.

From researching online, I think its tapeworms ? The prevention seems two fold: a) de-wormer and b) flea control (as tape worms originate thru fleas)

My question is: I already de-wormed him through Interceptor (which takes care of tapeworms and few other kinds), then why did suddenly today he got worms "alive" in his stool. Had Interceptor worked, they should'v come out: dead. Why after 10 days of Interceptor dose, today worms come out ?
Is it that he has fleas? His coat looks very clean though there is some dandruff I think.

Any advice (other than telling me to see the vet, which I already know), is great, thanks.

Pitts

well outside of seeing your vet to assess that it really is tapeworms, which the small rice size moving things does indicate, I would use a good dewormer called D-Worm to combat this familiar condition. D-Worm Tapeworm contains praziquantel. But first and foremost you need to make sure this is what it is, I would suggest collecting a stool sample and taking it into your vet, the vet can asses that this is the case and help you make an informed decision on how to treat your dog based on this.
Also before you give your dog heartworm medication you should get him tested by your vet, as if you give heartworm preventitive to a heartworm positive dog it can kill them.


What is the most common kind of tapeworm dogs get?
The most common tapeworm of dogs and cats in the United States is called Dipylidium caninum (DIE-pih-LID-ee-um K-nine-um). Infection is common and found throughout the world.



How did my pet get the Dipylidium tapeworm?
By swallowing a flea infected with a tapeworm larvae. A dog or cat may swallow a flea while self-grooming. Once the flea is digested inside the dog or cat, the larval tapeworm is free to develop into an adult tapeworm.

The adult tapeworm is made up of many small segments, called proglottids (pro-GLOT-ids), each about the size of a grain of rice; adult tapeworms may measure 4-28 inches in length. As the tapeworm matures inside the intestines, these segments (proglottids) break off and pass into the stool.



How would I know if my pet has a tapeworm infection?
Although cats and dogs are rarely ill as a result of a Dipylidium tapeworm infection, the proglottids can sometimes be seen crawling near the anus or on the surface of a fresh bowel movement. Proglottids contain tapeworm eggs; these eggs are released into the environment when the proglottid dries out. The dried proglottids are small (about 2 mm), hard and yellowish in color and can sometimes be seen stuck to the hair around the pet's anus.



What kind of problems do tapeworms cause for the dog?
Tapeworms are not usually harmful to your pet. Weight loss may occur if your pet is heavily infected. Sometimes, an infected dog will "scoot" or drag its anus across the ground or carpet because the segments are irritating to the skin in this area.

Occasionally, a portion of this tapeworm will be passed when the dog vomits. If this happens, a worm several inches in length may be seen.



How is tapeworm infection diagnosed?
Tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed when the moving segments are seen crawling around the anus or in a bowel movement. Dipylidium tapeworm eggs are rarely released into the feces and are therefore not usually detected by routine fecal exams performed by your veterinarian. Because of this, veterinarians depend on you to notify them of possible tapeworm infection in your pet.



Can I get a tapeworm infection from my pet?
Yes. For a person to become infected with Dipylidium, he or she must accidentally swallow an infected flea. Most reported cases involve children. The risk of infection with this tapeworm in humans is low. The most effective way to prevent infections in pets and humans is through flea control. A child who is infected will usually pass proglottids (or what appears as rice) in a bowel movement or find them stuck to the skin around the anal area.



How is tapeworm infection treated?
Treatment for both animals and humans is simple and very effective. A prescription drug called praziquantel is given, either orally or by injection (pets only). The medication causes the tapeworm to dissolve within the intestines. Since the worm is usually digested before it passes, it may not be visible in your dog's stool. The drugs are generally well-tolerated.

How can tapeworm infection be prevented?
Control fleas on your pet, and in their indoor and outdoor environments.
Have your veterinarian treat your dogs and cats promptly if they have tapeworms.
Clean up after your pet, especially in playgrounds and public parks. Bury the feces, or place it in a plastic bag and then put it in the trash.
Do not allow children to play in areas that are soiled with pet or other animal feces.
Teach children to always wash their hands after playing with dogs and cats, and after playing outdoors.

__________________
Dale
"Show me your dog and I will tell you what manner of man you are."
Max Von Stephanitz

Murreydobe

Had your dog been tested for heartworm before you gave it heartworm meds? That can be pretty dangerous for an owner to start prescribing when and where to give drugs like this.

robinb

I would take a stool sample into the vet and get the proper medication, that way you get the right product and dosage. That test only runs about $20.

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Toby

If this was your stool would you guess or see a doctor????

robinb

I'd still see the vet as there are a mulitude of different wormers out there and I would want the one which worked the best for the specific infestation.

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nolapup

Looks like you're already received a lot of good information. But I suppose I'll still throw in my two cents !

Blood in the stool is something that should be brought to a vets attention immediately. This was happening to our mixed breed Atlas (who we've had for 4 1/2 yrs and were very surprised) and the vet was very concerned. He said it could be something simple like parasites (which he tested negative for) or worse he could have eaten something rough (rawhide, stick, etc) that could have caused an abrasion, which can lead to bleeding in the intestines and a high risk of infection. He treated Atlas with antibiotics and a mild sedative and put him on a strick diet for 7 days. It seemed to take care of things. Point being - call your vet immediately!

Also, in order to prevent worms a dog should be on a monthly flea preventative as well as heart worm.Especially if the dog is around other animals. We live in the city where there are feral cats everywhere, if I am even a few days late on flea preventative Atlas gets worms immediately and he's an inside dog! We use Comfortis which is a pill rather than a topical - it's the only thing that works for us down here - rather than having to double dose in the summer when the bugs are atrocious!

Good luck - and hope everything goes well!

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Peter Steiner

Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I think that's how dogs spend their lives.

Sue Murphy

derickd

Wow, thanks, wondering why "Interceptor" dose 10 days ago, didn't kill them. Or is it normal that tapeworms exit like this?

Pitts

That would be because, Interceptor does not kill tapeworms, it is a heartworm preventative and kills hookworms and roundworms, NOT tapeworms.
Interceptor Flavor Tabs for dogs are a palatable once-a-month tablet that prevent heartworm disease, controls adult hookworm, and removes and controls adult roundworm and whipworm infections. Interceptor Flavor Tabs for cats are the only oral monthly preventative that protect against heartworms and remove adult roundworms and adult hookworms.

The medication D-Worm is specifically formulated to kill tapeworms. I would call the vet and ask him/her about the D-worm product and if it would be best for you dog. You can purchase this at most petsmarts.

__________________
Dale
"Show me your dog and I will tell you what manner of man you are."
Max Von Stephanitz

ellenm

As far as I know, Interceptor does NOT kill tapeworms. It kills hooks, roundworms and whip worms (which can make the stool bloody in color.

As others have said, take a stool sample to the vet...get your dog weighed and dose accordingly for the tapeworms and whatever else may show up. Did you get a recent HW check on the dog prior to dosing?

BackInBlack

I will have to agree with everyone else... get him to a vet. He most likely does have tapeworms (which are fairly easy to get rid of)

My vet gives Drontol plus. It is a bone shaped pill, one dose...easy, done.

I would also reccommend doing a heartworm test and getting him on a good monthly flea (and heartworm) prevention.

Interceptor is a very good one. I rotate between Interceptor and Iverheart Max. (Iverheart Max is one of the only ones that I know of that WILL rid them of tapes if they have them)

I use Advantix for fleas and ticks. Every month in the summer, every 6 weeks in the winter months.

MIA

I ditto the stool sample to the vets. I don't do heartworm preventative as we don't have it in the lower mainland BC, do you have it in Oregon? You aren't far from us. My dogs just had tapeworm thanks to a rescue I had. It's easy to get rid of but be sure to do it ASAP.

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dogsdogsdogs03

My advice would be to take him to the vet immediately. Given the situation you took him from a multitude of issues could be wrong with him.

When I got my newest dog, from the HS, I went from the humane society to the vets for check up, shots, wormer and rabies shot.