My dog has rice-like pieces on her tail. Could it be worms?

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).

Great question! You are correct that Sassy could have tapeworms based on your description. Tapeworms require praziquantel to treat, which is available by prescription only from your vet. The OTC deworming treatments won't have that medication in it, so that's why it isn't working. I would have Sassy seen by a vet tomorrow to get Drontal (it contains praziquantel). It is an excellent deworming treatment, and also kills roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms in addition to tapeworms. Sassy will need another Drontal two weeks after the first treatment to kill all the tapeworms, and then she should receive it every three months. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! If you are finding white rice sized segments around Katniss's tail then I suspect you are seeing tape worm segments. Cats get tape worm from fleas and from hunting. You can always post a picture to confirm. I would deworm her with a product that gets tapeworm. Below is a link of a good dewormer or contact your Vet in the morning. https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3464 I wish Katniss the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to say for sure without being able to see it. However, you may be describing tapeworms. Otherwise, it may be something from the environment. I recommend that you show these to your veterinarian so that it can be determined if they represent tapeworms as that requires therapy. Good luck!

Things that look like rice grains are usually tapeworm segments, so make sure you're not seeing these near or on his anus--that's the typical location. It doesn't hurt to get some dewormer from your vet just in case, especially if he hasn't been dewormed recently. If the scabs don't seem to heal on their own, he needs a dermatological visit at your vet as well.

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.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Little white pieces that look like rice are tapeworms. The tapeworms might be coming out because they are dying from the dewormer. Tapeworms are transmissible between species so your cat and yourself can get tapeworms. I would wash all the blankets in hot water, and avoid letting her sit in places where your face would go. The transmission to other animals is by eating the eggs/pieces of rice looking things that are coming out. Also, I would talk to your vet about getting another deworming dose, and make sure the product covers for tapeworms. Best of luck with Haylee.