Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My old dog has maggot-like worms. What are they and how to treat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | unneutered | 12 years and 6 months old | 75 lbs

We have a 12 yr old 1/2 German Shepherd 1/2 Rottweiler. He has been reluctunt to go outside because he's old and the steps are hard on his hips and the weather has been bad. He's been pooping in the house. Yesterday I noticed he has worms. They look like Maggots minus the black head. What Kind of Worms are they and what medication can we give him? His vet is a mobile unit and is here twice a month. The next time she'll be here is over a week. I don't really want to wait that long.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on November 10th, 2017

If they are small like a rice grain then they are likely tapeworm segments, however without a fecal examination or seeing the worms it is just a educated guess. I would still recommend saving some worms in a jar or isopropyl alcohol for your veterinarian to see next week. If you use heartworm prevention monthly that deworms for
Many parasites, but you can request a prescription for heartworm prevents that includes tapeworm medication as well. That way monthly he gets dewormed. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on January 16th, 2019
I recommend to call your veterinarian and have the stool checked for worm eggs. Take in a few of the worms as well. I can't tell from the history, but maggots and tapeworms can both be found in the stool. Maggots get there after the stool is out of the body (flies lay their eggs on it), where as tapeworms are inside the body. Most over the counter dewormers don't have the right medication to kill the internal tapeworm (there are a few different species and although the package is labeled for tapeworms, it often is the wrong species). Additionally, since Buddy already had one worm, it's worthwhile to know if there are other types of parasites as well (not all of them are visible to the human eye). This is important because some of these worms are transmissible to humans and also because you want get rid of all the parasites.
I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My rescue dog has white rice-like worms. What are they and are they contagious?

It could be a tapeworm segment, which look like a grain of rice. Praziquantel is needed to kill tapeworms, which is available by prescription only from the vet. I would take your dog into the vet on Monday. The vet can confirm she has tapeworms, and can give her Drontal to kill them (Drontal contains praziquantel).

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog threw up maggot-like worms but seems fine. What's wrong?

Oh no, poor Vegas! Worms that resemble maggots, or grains of rice, are most commonly tapeworm segments. These can be acquired by ingesting either rodents or fleas infected with tapeworms. It would be ideal to take Vegas to her vet for an exam and stool sample analysis to more precisely determine the cause of these worms. However, since she is acting normally and has not had further vomiting, you can consider deworming her with over the counter deworming medication containing praziquantel. Also be sure that she is receiving a high quality flea preventative regularly, such as Nexgard, Bravecto, or K9 Advantix II. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog had rice-like worms in poop, now gone. Does he need treatment?

From that description, it sounds like he may have tape worms. The heartworm test doesn't test for tapeworms (or any intestinal parasites) and the medication is heartgard wouldn't kill tapeworms. A fecal test doesn't always show the worm eggs either for this particular type of parasite. I'd recommend giving your clinic a call to see what they policies are - you may be able to pick up medications from the description alone, or they many need you to schedule an appointment. Finally, make sure Buddy is on a good flea preventative -- he got the tapeworms from eating a flea. He could definitely have just found it outside, but it's worth mentioning!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has worms and scoots. Does her dewormer treat tapeworms?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog passed a long, segmented worm. What kind is it and what to do?

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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has tiny white strands in poop. What kind of worms are they?

It would be worthwhile taking a sample to your vets office to confirm exactly what species they are but if long and thin they are likely to be a roundworm species and not tapeworm (flat segments and often moving). There are many types of roundworm and your vets should be able to help you identify what you have so you can both treat and try and reduce re-occurrence

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog missed heartworm meds & has rice-sized worms. Is it serious?

Yes you should have a heartworm test before starting back on heartworm pills. If Mana has heartworms now they should be treated so he doesn't get damage to his heart. Hopefully the test will be negative and you can start prevention again right away. The worm segments you are seeing are tapeworms. Dogs get these from eating fleas when chewing and itching their skin or eating mice or rodents. The comfortis will control the fleas now but you need to get tapeworm medication from your veterinarian to treat the tapeworms. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Mana.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share