My dog eats weird things. Could she have tapeworms or parasites?

It sounds like it was a tapeworm. They are flat and segmented. The length depends on the segments that come out--they are offered compared to pieces of rice when individual. These worms are transmitted by the ingestion of a flea which can lead to a dull hair coat and dandruff also. It generally does not affect the appetite and cause that mucous and blood in the stool as noted in your pictures. I would be worried there is an infection of some sort and these worms are a secondary finding. You can find tapeworms medicines at the vets office or any pet store, but if the stool continues I would see a vet for further testing

Yes, they look like tapeworm segments. Dogs get tapeworms by eating infected fleas so you have to get the fleas under control as well as treating the tapeworms. Since he is not eating a losing weight you should have him examined by your vet.

If the dewormer you are using does not indicate that it treats tapeworms then it probably does not. Tapeworms segments look like pieces of rice so if that is what you are seeing then she probably has tapeworms. If you are seeing long worms that look like spaghetti then she probably has roundworms. Dogs get tapeworms from eating fleas so if she has tapeworms that means she has or had a flea problem. Since I don't know the exact medications that you are using, it is difficult to know if they can be given together. You could re-post with both medications and then we may be better able to answer the question. You could also take a stool sample to your vet and have it tested for parasites so you know the exact parasite that she has.

Based on the photo, these look like tapeworm segments. Tapeworms are harder to kill than most other intestinal parasites, so in most states you will need to get a prescription dewormer from a vet to get rid of them. As far as disinfection goes - tapeworms have an indirect life cycle, so they cannot be contracted directly from coming into contact with an infected dogs feces. Dogs normally get them either from swallowing a flea, or from eating roadkill or some type of rodent. So you don't need to worry about your yard - the best way to prevent tapeworms is to keep your dog on a good quality flea medication, and keep them from eating dead things outside. They cannot get tapeworms directly from the ground, so this should not be a concern :)

It's hard to tell from the photo, but if they are round and "spaghetti-like", they are probably roundworms. Most over the counter dewormers can take care of roundworms, however your vet can also prescribe deworming medications, and you can bring in a sample of them to your vet if needed to be identified in person.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your pet. I recommend either collecting the segments or taking pictures of them. Then I would collect a fecal sample tomorrow to have evaluated by his veterinarian. You can show them the segments as well. Based on these results, an appropriate dewormer can be prescribed. I hope this information helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Chica has tapeworm. Tapeworm are usually from fleas (current or previous infestation). Most general puppy dewormers do not kill tapeworm. Chica should get a dwormer that gets tapeworm, either drontal or cestex or droncit. Your boxer can not get tapeworm from those segments, she would need to have ingested a flea as well. I hope this helps and I wish Chica the very best!