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Tapeworm infestation sounds horrible; however, these parasites carry the least direct health threat when compared to other internal worms. Tapeworms are contracted from an intermediate host while eating or grooming. These hosts include fleas and small rodents and animals like mice, rats, squirrels, and rabbits. The tapeworm live in th pet's intestines and consists of a head with a long, flat, segmented body. The segments, which can reporduce, are passed in the animal's feces. Because the tapeworm's head remains in the intestine, it continues to produce new segments. The first sign of a tapeworm infection is tiny whitish worms moving in your pet's stool or dried segments that look like rice or cucumber seeds in the pet's bedding or fur. Your pet probably won't have any obvious physical symptoms; however, if left untreated for a long period of time, tapeworms can cause serious problems. By examing a stool sample we can detect the presence of tapeworms and provide your pet with the proper dosage of medication. |