Common Parasites Found In Dogs And What To Do

Tapeworms

We've likely all heard of tapeworms, and we know they are the stuff of nightmares! Tapeworms are indeed a parasite, and they live in intestines. A typical way of acquiring them is your dog ingests a flea that is harboring tapeworm eggs, either during grooming or exploration. Once eaten, the eggs settle and mature in your dog's intestine until they hatch. These sneaky guys have a virtually unlimited food supply since they snack on everything that passes by, and the cycle continues as the eggs travel to your dog's stool and spread even more. Another example of a parasite that is easy to treat, tapeworms are usually easily killed by a drug called praziquantel, which is applied topically or ingested. The most unfortunate part of the treatment process is providing a stool sample to your vet.