As a responsible dog owner, you’re no doubt familiar with the joy of outdoor adventures with your furry friend. But did you know your dog could be unknowingly spreading a hidden danger – tapeworms? These pesky parasites can harm your dog’s health and leave behind a trail of millions of microscopic eggs in the environment if left untreated.
What are tapeworms?
Tapeworms are long, ribbon-like worms that live in your dog’s intestines. While they may not cause noticeable signs, these parasites can grow up to 16 feet long1 and release up to 250,000 eggs per day.2 These eggs can contaminate the environment, and when consumed by other animals, including livestock, they can continue the cycle.
Tapeworms spread through several sources:
- Fleas: dogs swallow fleas while grooming, picking up tapeworm larvae
- Scavenging: swallowing parts of infected animals like rabbits or fallen livestock
- Raw meat: eating unprocessed, raw meat from infected sources
- Tapeworm segments crawl out of your dog’s rear or are passed in their stool, often looking like small, wriggling grains of rice. An untreated dog can leave a trail wherever they go of millions of eggs each week.
Why should you act?
Beyond infecting your dog, tapeworms also pose a risk to livestock. When grazing animals like sheep ingest tapeworm eggs, larvae develop inside their bodies, causing harm and leading to financial losses for farmers – over £11 million in one year alone.3 Some species of tapeworms are also zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans, making it crucial to address the issue promptly.
How to prevent your dog leaving a tapeworm trail
- Regular treatment: treat your dog for tapeworm at least every three months. If your dog scavenges or has access to livestock areas, more frequent treatment may be needed. Ask your vet for advice.
- Use trusted treatment: Droncit is a vet-recommended wormer to treat your dog for tapeworm.
- Avoid scavenging: prevent your dog from eating unprocessed raw meat or scavenging on carcasses.
- Pick up after your dog: always clean up your dog’s stool during walks to reduce the spread of tapeworm eggs.
The importance of responsible ownership
With over 10 million dogs in the UK4 and more pet owners visiting the countryside, it’s essential to protect your dog and the environment from parasites. The average dog owner walks 870 miles a year,5 often through areas with livestock. Ensure your dog is treated regularly to prevent them leaving a tapeworm trail through the countryside.
Start protecting your dog today!
With many excellent broad spectrum parasiticides for dogs now being used, that have activity against fleas, ticks, and worms, it’s important to remember a second product is often still needed to ensure tapeworm is covered.
Speak to your vet about adding Droncit to your dog’s parasite control routine. With regular treatment you can stop tapeworms in their tracks, protecting your dog, local community, and countryside.
Protect your dog, the environment, and your community. Treat tapeworm today!
Did you know?
- Tapeworms can grow up to 16 feet long.1
- A single tapeworm can release 250,000 eggs per day2—potentially adding millions of eggs to the environment.
- Tapeworms can infect humans, not just dogs and livestock.
References
1. Taylor MA, Coop RL & Wall RL (2007), Veterinary Parasitology, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing.
2. Gregory GG. Fecundity and proglottid release of Taenia ovis and T. hydatigena. Aust. Vet. J. 1976 Jun.52(6):277-9.
3. AHDB report (2022), Minimising carcase losses for better returns.
4. pdsa.org.uk/media/12965/pdsa-paw-report-2022.pdf
5. countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a26095092/dog-walks-dog-benefits-uk-lintbells/
Droncit contains praziquantel, AVM-GSL (UK). Further information from the datasheet at noahcompendium.co.uk or contact Vetoquinol on +44 (0)1280 814500, uk_office@vetoquinol.com. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber. Use medicines responsibly.