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My puppy has tapeworms, but I don't see fleas. How did this happen?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Female | unspayed | 4 months and 6 days old | 12 lbs

My puppy doesn't have fleas but has tapeworms. Is it possible she swallowed one while being raised with her mother?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 26th, 2019

Hello. Yes, that is one way a pet can get tapeworms, by ingesting an infected flea. Regardless, you should have no problems treating Penny with a tape worm medication containing praziquantel. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 29th, 2018
Fleas hop on and off for feeding. You do not have to find fleas. The tapeworm is dead soon after your dog got the wormer against tape worm. Pyrantel will not work against tape worm, he needs to be wormed with a wormer called praziquantel. There is no need to treat your carpet for worms and worm eggs. Tape worm will not affect humans.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My dog has tapeworms from fleas. What medicine should I give her?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Yes, certainly sounds like Roxy is passing tapeworms based on your description. The most common tapeworm is flea transmitted like you discuss. There are over the counter medicines and the drug you would want to use is called Praziquantal. It is available under many brand names but that is the drug that we use in the States to treat most tapeworm infections. Good luck with Roxy

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My puppy ate a flea egg. Should I worry about her getting worms?

Hello. Ingesting flea eggs is how most pets get tapeworms. I would just have Lucy dewormed with a product labeled to remove tapeworm & then you will have nothing to worry about. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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My dog might have tapeworms. How can I treat them safely at home?

Hello. There are wormers available over the counter that will take care of tapeworms. Make sure the product contains the ingredient praziquantel, or you can pick up SafeGuard canine wormer at Petco. If you want to be sure of what you might be seeing befors giving Poppy any wormer, you can always take a fecal sample to your vet for analysis. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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What kind of worm is this on my pet and what's the best treatment?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This appears to be a tapeworm. This can be treated with praziquantel, a type of deworming medication. This can be obtained from your primary veterinarian. I hope this is helpful!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My pet has fleas and tapeworms. What's the best way to treat them?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Bella has the tapeworm from the fleas. You need to treat her for the fleas with a good preventative, I recommend Comfortis, Bravecto or the Seresto collar. You need to treat ALL the animals in the house hold. Below is a link to a dewormer that gets tape worms. I wish you and Bella the best! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3464

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My puppy's tapeworm medicine isn't working. What should I do next?

Hello. There have been some reports of drug resistance with tapeworms. I would talk to your vet about either upping the dose of the praziquantel or trying an alternate drug called epsiprantal. And make sure your vet sees a stool sample containing the tapeworm segments just to make sure there is not something else going on. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat has fleas. Can she have tapeworms without visible signs?

Yes, it is quite possible that she could have fleas without tapeworms! Not every flea is infected with tapeworm larvae. Tapeworms are a "see it, treat it" parasite, meaning we only treat for tapeworms when we see them in stool or see proglottids (the little segments that look like rice granules) around the anus or stuck in the hair on the backside, or if there is suspicion that tapeworms are causing chronic weight loss.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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