Tapeworms are one of several types of internal parasites that
can infect dogs and cats. They enter your pet’s system when your
dog or cat unknowingly ingests a host. Inside your pet’s
digestive tract, the tapeworm fastens itself to the wall of the
small intestine. There, it can cause numerous problems for your
pet. In some cases, it can also be passed on to you or, more
likely, to small children in your home who accidently swallow
tapeworms that are excreted by a pet. Sudden, extreme weight
loss is often what people associate with a tapeworm infestation.
While infected pets may end up losing weight, not all do. In
fact, there may be no symptoms or there may be different signs
that are less noticeable. If -- based on your pets’ ages,
health, and environment -- there is a high risk for worms, you
may need to work with your veterinarian to continually monitor
your cats and dogs to ensure they remain healthy and worm free.
If your pet does acquire worms, however, take heart in the fact
that there are many safe, e