Credelio Quattro (lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets) protects against tapeworms.
Tapeworms are a common parasite in dogs that also could carry a threat to people. You may be surprised to learn that tapeworms can live in your dog’s intestine for a long time before you may notice any signs or symptoms, such as:
The good news? Giving your dog parasite protection like Credelio Quattro, a once-monthly chewable, proactively protects against multiple species of tapeworms in addition to fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms* and tapeworms. This simple guide will help you spot the symptoms of tapeworms in dogs and give guidance on next steps.
How Do Dogs Get Tapeworms?
Several different types of tapeworms can infest your dog, including the Taenia and Echinococcus species, which your dog can pick up from eating infected animals, ingesting contaminated feces, or licking a contaminated object while hunting or scavenging.
However, the most common tapeworm in dogs is Dipylidium caninum, contracted through fleas that carry the worm larvae. A dog can ingest these infected fleas when grooming. The larvae then attach themselves to the dog’s gut before growing into flat, white worms that can grow up to 28 inches long.1
Once in the dog’s intestines, the Dipylidium caninum worms feed slowly, stealing critical nutrients meant for your dog. Infected pets shed small, mobile, egg-filled worm segments in their stool. Fleas in the environment may ingest eggs from these segments, and the cycle repeats.
- Your dog eats a flea carrying the tapeworm larva.
- The tapeworm larva grows into a tapeworm in your dog’s intestine.
- The end segments of the tapeworm contain eggs that are excreted with your dog’s feces.
- Developing fleas in the environment ingest the eggs before jumping on your dog.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tapeworms in Dogs?
Dogs often do not show noticeable symptoms for a long time after infection, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spot them if you know what to look for.
Worm Segments in Your Dog’s Poop
As the tapeworm grows, some of its segments containing heaps of eggs will be released into your dog’s feces. They may also be seen around your dog’s bottom or in their bedding. However, in the case of echinococcus infections, you often won’t see any warning signs as they are tiny in comparison and shed infrequently.
Scooting on Their Bottom
If infected, your dog may scoot around the floor or bite or lick their bottom to try to relieve the itching caused by the tapeworm. However, remember that dogs scoot for many reasons, such as blocked or irritated anal sacs or skin inflammation. Take your dog to the vet to understand what may be causing their discomfort.
Vomiting
As the tapeworms grow inside your dog, they may cause vomiting. Of course, vomiting can indicate a variety of other problems, from indigestion to more serious conditions. If your dog vomits frequently or displays other symptoms, such as lethargy or severe diarrhea, see the vet immediately.
Weight Loss
In extreme cases of tapeworm infection, your dog may lose weight despite eating normally. This is due to the tapeworm feeding on the nutrients in your dog’s intestines.
Like vomiting, weight loss can have a variety of causes. If there are no obvious reasons for the weight loss, such as increased exercise or a change in diet, then your dog might need to visit a vet for assessment.
What Do Tapeworms Look Like?
Tapeworms are flat, white and segmented. While tapeworms can grow up to 27 inches long inside your dog, each individual segment is small, similar in size to a single grain of rice. You may see segments on your dog’s bottom, or in your dog’s feces or bedding. These segments may look like moving pieces of rice or dried-out, hard yellow specks that can stick to your dog’s coat.
Are All Short White Worms In Dog Poop Tapeworms?
If you notice white worms in dog poop, it’s important you contact your vet. However, white worms in dog poop could also indicate a roundworm infection. Either way, talk to your vet.
How Do People Get Worms?
Humans could get tapeworms from their dogs in a few ways2, underlining the importance of proactive protection for your dog. It’s possible to become infected with the Echinococcus species of tapeworm if you unknowingly ingest eggs that have contaminated an area through a dog’s feces. You can also become infected with the flea tapeworm if you eat an infected flea by accident, often through playing or sleeping with our pet.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tapeworms in Humans?
Tapeworms in humans may not cause any signs or symptoms and even if they do, signs and symptoms can be mild and vary. If you suspect that you’ve been infected with a tapeworm, it’s important you talk to your doctor. Some symptoms may include digestive issues including abdominal pain, nausea, lack of appetite, hunger, gas, diarrhea and weight loss.
How to Get Rid of Tapeworms in Dogs
If you suspect tapeworms, talk to your vet. Although tapeworms can cause alarming symptoms in your dog, they can be treated. Credelio Quattro could effectively kill worms lurking in your dog’s gut, and kill fleas that carry the Dipylidium caninum species of tapeworm eggs.
Worm Protection for Dogs
Credelio Quattro is the only treatment that protects against tapeworms, as well as hookworms*, roundworms, heartworms, fleas and ticks. Additionally, check your dog’s coat regularly for fleas to help steer clear of the potentially parasite-carrying pests. And keeping your dog from roaming unsupervised can also help avoid contracting them from contracting Taenia or Echinococcus tapeworms from hunting rodents or rabbits, or from scavenging dead livestock such as sheep or cattle.
Thankfully, tapeworms rarely cause severe complications for dogs. But it’s still important to keep your dog safe. Credelio Quattro could help protect your dog from this intestinal nuisance.
1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention. About dog or cat tapeworm infection. Updated December 19, 2023. Accessed July 15, 2024.
2. Schantz, P. M. 2007, March 7. Zoonotic parasitic infections contracted from dogs and cats: How frequent are they?. DVM 360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/zoonotic-parasitic-infections-contracted-dogs-and-cats-how-frequent-are-they
Indications:
Credelio Quattro is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease and the treatment and control of roundworm, hookworm* and tapeworm infections. Credelio Quattro kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations and the treatment and control of tick infestations for 1 month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 3.3 pounds or greater.
Important Safety Information:
Lotilaner, an ingredient in Credelio Quattro, belongs to the isoxazoline class and has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions like tremors, ataxia, and seizures even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infections before Credelio Quattro administration as it is not effective against adult D. immitis. The safe use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials were vomiting and diarrhea. For complete safety information, please see Credelio Quattro product label or ask your veterinarian.
*Uncinaria stenocephala
