Another tapeworm question...?

Question

Thanks for all the quick answers on my prevoius question! I feel a lot better about the situation now.
A few more things... Earlier today, I made a vet appt for tomorrow. They said they will test her feces (which I don't understand,- I knowshe has a tapeworm) and give her a prescription. I read on a bunch of websites that the OTC treatments did not work for tapeworm, however, people on here are telling me that they do. I don't know if I should go to the Dr, or just buy Praziquantel. If I do go to the doctor, is there a test for heartworm? People are telling me she might be prone to it...
When she takes the medicine, how will I know that the worm is completely gone? Is there any physical evidence?
Also, I have another dog. He is 2 years old, and the two are inseperable, How can I prevent him from getting the worm? I know that I should clean up after the infected one right away, but any other tips? Thanks again!!

Answer 1

First off, I would have both dogs tested for tapeworms. If your vet does a fecal, he can also look for a variety of other worms also. He can draw blood and test for heartworms also. If he finds that your dog has tapeworms, he'll prescribe tablets for her to take. You will see the dead worms in her feces and she will begin to gain weight, that's how you'll know that the worms are gone. Since you are going to the vet anyway, I would just get the wormer from him. I've had good luck with OTC wormers, but I've also had good luck with vet prescribed treatments.

Answer 2

There is tapewormer available OTC. It is called Tradewinds. It is the same as Droncit at the vets. THE SAME. The FDA approved it going OTC and generic several years ago. It works. If you use it according to directions and have weighed the dog correctly...it will work. If there are no fleas, they will not come back...unless there is another exposure. It is not likely that the other dog got tapeworm from the other. UNLESS there were fleas, and then they were both exposed.
There is a test for heartworm. It is a blood test. Any dog in contact with mosquitos is "prone" to it. Get a test and get on preventitive. Easy.

Generally, vets DO NOT test puppies under 6 months for heartworm, since it can take many months to show up in the blood stream. They will just allow you to get the medication for prevention.

I agree that there are a lot of OTC wormers that are crap, but I assure you that Tradewinds is the same as Droncit and works well.

Also know that tapeworms are hard to diagnose on a fecal. The eggs are in the actaul segments, and are not seen often on a fecal exam. The puppy MAY very well have other parasites, and if the pup has not been wormed for anything else since you have had it, a fecal would be a good idea. Then they could give you something like Drontal Plus that would take care of tapes and anything else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

OTC meds aren't worth the money.A fecal test will not show tapeworms but it will show if other worms are present. If they are the vet will give you the appropriate dewormer for those worms as well as the tapeworms. As far as tapeworms go your other dog can't get them from this dog.They can only get them from fleas or from eating such things as mice, rats, rabbits..
Heartworms are a totally different worm. They don't have anything at all to do with intestinal parasites. The heartworm test is a blood test. Do not confuse intestinal parasites (tapeworm, roundworms, whipworms,hookworms) with heartworms.
Usually one dose of a prescription tapeworm medication takes care of the tapeworms, however for roundworms, hookworms, etc you will need to dose again in two weeks to make sure all cycles of the worms are killed.
All dogs should be dewormed at least once yearly even if there are no signs of worms visible to the owner. A dog can harbor worms without there ever being any visible signs. Some worms such as roundworms & hookworms can be transferable to humans so it is important to pick up after your dog and practice good hygiene.

Answer 4

First your vet will check the feces for any other intestinal parasites then give you meds to treat the tapeworm. OTC meds usually don't work very well and some can be dangerous for your pet. They can test for heartworms at your vet. If you aren't using heartguard or a heartworm prevention then yes they can be prone to it because they get it from mosquitos. It can take a few weeks for the tapeworm meds to completely get rid of the worm so she may still pas the segments for a few days so don't worry. Your other pets can't catch tapeworm. They get it from ingesting fleas so besure you are using a flea preventative as well. Even if you are it only take one being digested so don't think it's not working just because she has tapeworms. Once a flea has come in contact with your dog it can take up to 12 hours for it to die. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Your best bet is to go to the vet on this one! I wouldn't get online advise for this! The vets will do a fecal on your dog, this tests for any kind of worms and parasites your dog may have, Yes there is a test for Heartworms (go to your vet for this one) People can get Tapeworms from dogs as well so becareful cleaning it yup. After your dog is don't with the medication you can get another fecal done on your dog, that will determine if your dog has any parasites left. Tapeworms can be simply treated with a dewormer pill for dogs. you probably cannot prevent your other dog from getting it. just deworm both of your dogs at the same time. Tapeworms come out of the dog in segments, segments can drop off anywhere and the other dog can scoop it up and get tapeworms!!
I hope this helps you
Krystal

Answer 6

Once she is started on the meds you will see there are no more tapeworms in her stool, your other dog also needs to be given a dose of meds as a prevention.

They do heartworm tests at the vet, that's usually a blood sample, if that comes up negative that's when you start giving the monthly prevenatives.

Answer 7

If I had a tapeworm eating my food inside me

Answer 8

the pup may have other parasites as well and that is why they want to test the stool. The OTC meds for tapeworms DO work well IF you get Droncite or Drontil, same stuff the vet uses!! You can get it at:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1459&Ntt=droncite&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

Also, be sure and treat your dog for fleas or he can keep re-infecting himself and need more worming.

Answer 9

Tapeworms are not really harm to dogs. There intestines are not twisted like humans.Tapeworms simply pass through them. You will can see usually see them around around the dogs rectum. They will look like tiny white maggots.The real danger is to you getting them. This was explained to me by my vet when I had to take my dog because we were seeing the tiny white worms crawling out of her rectum. The treatment was just a few pills given once depending on body weight.

Answer 10

otc treatment can work but not always i would go with the vet as for the other dog i would give him the otc if he is not showing any signs just as a safety thing for him. and yes the vet can check for heart worms you will know by watching her go to the bathroom she will gain weight too and follow the vet advice about worming them after treatment i by my wormer at a feed store it is the same as what the vet would use but if you fell uncomfortable using a needle on your dog let the vet do it and yes clean up after her right away