Tapeworms!!!

[chocolatepuppy]

I've never yet had a client call to complain that they are still seeing segments after giving the medicine. I suppose it's possible that some are seeing segments for a time and just never have called to ask about it before.

The Vet tech said to me "where else would they go?" Kind of makes sense. I'm hoping NOT to become an expert on tapeworms here, lol, but anytime my furkids have anything wrong with them I research and ask questions. I appreciate any input.

[Spiritwind]

The Vet tech said to me "where else would they go?" Kind of makes sense. I'm hoping NOT to become an expert on tapeworms here, lol, but anytime my furkids have anything wrong with them I research and ask questions. I appreciate any input.

Yeah.. thats what I would think... working at vet clinics for almost 9yrs, we always told clients if they had dogs with worms, that they shouldn't be worried if they see them passing the dead worms after being deworms... like you said... where else would they go?? LOL

[Catlady711]

Yeah.. thats what I would think... working at vet clinics for almost 9yrs, we always told clients if they had dogs with worms, that they shouldn't be worried if they see them passing the dead worms after being deworms... like you said... where else would they go?? LOL

That's pretty much the standard speech we give owners with roundworms, however not the same one we give with tapeworms.

The Vet tech said to me "where else would they go?" Kind of makes sense. I'm hoping NOT to become an expert on tapeworms here, lol, but anytime my furkids have anything wrong with them I research and ask questions. I appreciate any input.

I'm the same as you when it comes to my furkids too. I think sometimes I bug the bosses with questions so much they get tired of hearing me say 'I have a question for you'. LOL But my theory is that if you don't know, ask. The only really dumb question is the one not asked.


I asked the big boss/head vet about this thread and the segments still being seen. Apparently Droncit is his prefered tapeworm medication and that comes with the following insert...http://www.bayerdvm.com/Products/dro...TOKEN=60775220

Droncit® (praziquantel) is absorbed, metabolized in the liver and excreted in the bile. Upon entering the digestive tract from the bile, cestocidal activity is exhibited. Following exposure to praziquantel, the tapeworm loses its ability to resist digestion by the mammalian host. Because of this, whole tapeworms, including the scolex, are very rarely passed after administration of praziquantel. In many instances only disintegrated and partially digested pieces of tapeworms will be seen in the stool. The majority of tapeworms are digested and are not found in the feces.

For those animals living where reinfections are likely to occur, clients should be instructed in the steps to optimize prevention, otherwise, retreatment may be necessary. This is true in cases of Dipylidium caninum where reinfection is almost certain to occur if fleas are not removed from the animal and its environment. In addition, for control of Echinococcus multilocularis, a program of regular treatment every 21 to 26 days may be indicated.


Apparently this is why we don't get calls from clients still seeing segments, and according to the head vet and the product insert, if your neighbor has a major flea problem, your dog will most likely have this problem again and require retreatement.

[chocolatepuppy]

Thank you Catlady! An explanation! The Cestex my dogs were treated with says this ...

Epsiprantel acts directly on the tapeworm. Since it is minimally absorbed following oral administration, epsiprantel remains at the site of action within the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the digestive process, tapeworm fragments or proglottides may not be readily visible in the stool.
But it says *may* not be seen. I mostly saw them in Jake's stool, maybe he had them the worst.
As for my neighbors, they are gone, the house is empty. Her dogs did have fleas, all the time, but now that she's gone, I suppose they're looking for a home. I can't say for sure this is what happened, funny it happened after she moved out.

[critters]

Once, after praziquantel one of my monsters pooped a huge wad of dead tapes; it was SOOOOOOOOOOO grossly fascinating!!! (I can't get smilies to work this morning.)