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My dog has white rice-like worms after dewormer. Is this normal?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 10 years and 10 months old | 14 lbs

Hi! I took my 10 yr old dog to the vetco vac clinic on 6-2-18 for shots. They gave her a dewormer in the pkg that I bought in addition to shots. It's 9 days later & now I have seen a couple little white things (looks like pieces of rice) in her stool. Is it normal for it to take this long? She has ALWAYS had a very picky appetite and does not always poop everyday either. If she shares a water/food dish with my cat can he get it too? What about where she sits, blankets, MY BED?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Ann Dion, DVM

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 12th, 2018

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.
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