Rescue Dog With Fleas Now Passing Rice-Like Segments: Is My Family at Risk?
The paper work I received illustrated that he had been vaccinated and such.. Well, I took him to my personal vet on 03/03/12 and she check him out said he looked fine.. 6 days later I see rice like particles in his bed.
My concern is that my family may have caught worms from the new dog. He has been a joy and we've been kissing him and such. We've even allowed him to sleep with us. Should I be concerned that my children have been infected with worms at this point?
And shouldn't a dog found infested with fleas been automatically treated for tapeworms?
Thanks for your help.
Rice-like segments in a dog who recently had fleas are very likely the flea tapeworm, which dogs catch by swallowing an infected flea. Segments can appear as soon as 2 to 3 weeks after infection, so he may have been infected before or around the time of his vet visit, and routine stool tests often miss tapeworms.
The risk to your family is low. People, usually young children, can only catch this tapeworm by accidentally swallowing an infected flea, not from kissing or cuddling the dog or touching the segments. Ask your vet for a tapeworm dewormer, treat every pet in the home for fleas, wash his bedding and vacuum well. Talk to your doctor if you notice anything unusual in a child's stool.
See tapeworms in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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