How to cure your tapeworm pets

As owners, we want our pets to live long, happy and healthy lives. This means ensuring that they receive timely medical attention when a problem arises and preventive care to avoid potential problems. Our pets are susceptible to many diseases, injuries and parasites. One of those parasites is the tapeworm. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent this danger from harming your pet.

What are tapeworms?

Tapeworm is one of the most common intestinal parasites in dogs and cats. Although there are several types, the most common in pets are Dipylidium caninum. These parasites were called tapeworm due to their flattened appearance which is very similar to a tape measure.

Also known as cestodes, tapeworms can not live freely by themselves. Instead, they must reside in the lower intestines of a host. Here they can grow from several inches to several feet long. Tapeworms are made of many small segments that look like pieces of rice. Each of these segments contains egg packages. These segments break off and pass through the stool where they are known to adhere to the skin and hair around the anus.

The life cycle of the tapeworm

Tapeworms are not directly infectious between cats and dogs. Instead, the animal must ingest a flea that contains tapeworm eggs to become infected. Dogs and cats can also become infected by ingesting rodents and rabbits that are infected with certain types of tapeworms (known as Echinococcus and Taenia), although this is less common.

The life cycle of a tapeworm can seem quite complicated. This is due in large part to the fact that it requires an intermediate host (flea), as well as a definitive host (dog and / or cat). The body of an adult tapeworm is made up of hundreds of segments. These segments, called proglottids, vary in size and maturity. The segments closest to the head of the tapeworm are small and less mature than those at the end.

The life cycle of the tapeworm begins as the segments are removed and removed from the body of the definitive host. These segments resemble rice or sesame seeds and contain eggs that are then eaten by flea larvae. Once inside the flea larvae, these eggs hatch. As the flea develops into an adult, it will begin to feed on your pet's blood. The fleas are then ingested while your cat and / or dog is grooming. Once the flea decomposes inside the stomach through the natural process of digestion, the tapeworm is released. The tapeworm is hooked in the wall of the small intestine of the definitive host where it begins to absorb nutrients through its skin. Usually, they develop into adulthood in 2 to 36 weeks and the cycle begins again.

Tapeworms are hermaphrodites. This means that they have female and male reproductive systems. Fertilization is internal, however, developing eggs do not hatch until they are eaten by an adequate intermediate host.

Cat tapeworms

There are two species of tapeworm commonly found in cats. These are Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaformis. Dipylidium canium (the most common of the two) is usually acquired when your cat ingests fleas and lice that contain immature tapeworms in their intestines. Taenia taeniaformis is acquired when cats ingest rodents, raw meat, raw freshwater fish or other animal-infested parts. Although rare, Dibothriocephalus latus and Spirometra mansonoides are also tapeworms that can be acquired by cats that eat uncooked freshwater fish or water snakes.

The canine tapeworm

A large variety of tapeworm species are capable of infecting dogs. As in cats, the most common is Diphylidium caninum. Dogs that eat rabbits and rodents can also be infected with Taenia pisiformis. Other tapeworm species capable of infecting the canines are Echinococcus, Mesocestoides and Spirometra.

Symptoms of tapeworm in pets

Although tapeworms are quite common, many pets do not seem to show any symptoms when they become infected. They often act (and presumably feel) completely normal, even in the most severe cases. If there are tapeworm symptoms, they are usually mild.

These parasites can survive by sucking the blood and nutrients of their animal hosts, but they do so very slowly and steadily. This usually does not cause a sudden and dramatic change in the behavior of pets.

Pets that travel freely and have access to freshly killed wild or domestic animals are at increased risk of developing a tapeworm infection. Animals with heavy infestations of fleas and / or lice are also at greater risk.

You had in humans

 

Although rare, tapeworms can pose a risk to human health. Echinococcus in particular can infect humans if tapeworm eggs are accidentally ingested. Severe (and sometimes fatal) illness can result. Tapeworms in humans usually develop into cysts in the lung, brain, liver, kidneys or eyes, leading to severe organ damage. In addition, broken cysts can cause allergic reactions and death in certain people.

You may wonder how someone can accidentally ingest tapeworm eggs. The main way in which humans have become infected with a tapeworm is through the improper handling of animal feces. There have also been rare reports of children infected after accidental ingestion of fleas. Treatment to destroy and / or prevent tapeworms is critical to prevent transmission to humans.

 

 

Tapeworm treatment for dogs and cats

 

The best treatment against tapeworm for dogs and cats is to take preventive measures. In most cases, the fleas are directly responsible for the tapeworm infestation. The control of the fleas is, therefore, essential to prevent infection of the tapeworm. This means controlling fleas on your pet, inside your home and in the outdoor environment. Other suggestions to reduce the likelihood of infection in your pet (as well as in other family members) include:

• Take your pet to the veterinarian promptly if you suspect they have tapeworms

• Clean up after your pet, particularly in areas such as public parks and playgrounds.

• Do not allow children to play in areas that have been soiled with stool by your pet or any other animal.

• Teach your child to always wash his hands after playing with his pet and other animals.

• See your doctor immediately if you suspect that your child has been infected.

 

 

Natural remedies against fleas

 

Because tapeworms are carried by fleas, recurrences are possible unless the general problem of fleas is addressed.

• Garlic or sulfur: for dogs, adding garlic or sulfur to meals can help keep them free of fleas.

• Black walnut shells: they can often be found in capsule form in many health food stores. It can repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes if it is administered to your pet.

• Herbal Shampoo that contains a combination of pine cedar, bergamot, rosemary, lavender or juniper.

• Lemon solution: when used to wash floors, it has been shown that lemon solutions keep fleas away.

 

 

Natural tapeworm treatment for dogs and cats

If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from tapeworm, it is best to seek the attention of your veterinarian. However, there are natural treatments against tapeworm that may also interest you to learn more. The following list is for informational purposes only and does not purport to be medical advice.

• Garlic: it is believed that the antimicrobial properties of garlic are effective in combating bacteria, infections and internal parasites, such as tapeworms. Adding garlic powder to your dog's food can, therefore, be a great way to help dissipate any pesky parasites such as tapeworms. Be careful with the use of garlic with cats, as some consider it toxic. Others have successfully used garlic with their cats without incident.

• Absinthe: this natural remedy should only be used under the supervision of an expert. Wormwood should only be used for very short periods and in very low doses. It is believed to be a digestive tonic and the use of the herb can expel tapeworms.

• Fennel: it is believed that it improves the immune system and expels tapeworms

• Pumpkin seeds: It is believed that freshly ground pumpkin seeds added to your pet's food help to expel tapeworms.

• Oregon grape: A few drops of Oregon grape tincture in your pet's food can help get rid of tapeworms.

• What germ oil: a teaspoon of wheat germ oil can improve your pet's overall health and help eliminate tapeworms.

• Nails: the nails have strong antiparasitic, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. A small amount of clover powder in your pet's food can help rid them of tapeworms.

• Neem: small amounts of neem powder in your pet's food strengthen the immune system and help eliminate tapeworms. It is believed that Neem acts as a parasite repellent.

• Cayenne Pepper: It is believed that small amounts of dried cayenne pepper powder remove tapeworms and prevent future infections.