XXXXXX,
Do these little worms look like a grain of rice but only smaller?
Dr. M
These are most likely tapeworms. They cannot go directly from one dog to another. So the rest of your dogs are safe.
But tapeworms are usually seen in dog/cats that have fleas. If this new dog brought fleas into your home then it is possible that the fleas will spread to the other dogs, which can then cause them to develop tapeworms.
Fleas contain tapeworms and when dogs/cats are grooming themselves or "biting back" at a pesty flea they can ingest the flea, thus contracting tapeworms.
The dog/cat will have tapeworms for a long time if they are not treated. So if you do not see any fleas right now on the new dog, you may be dealing with an older infection. Which is good news for the rest of your dogs.
Weigh the new dog carefully and check at your local pet shop for tapeworm treatment. The best treatment available OTC is praziquantal.
Of course as soon as you are able, take the new guy to your veterinarian for a full check up. Heartworm is a very deadly disease and cannot be diagnosed without a blood test.
If I can answer anything else please let me know.
Dog Veterinarian
12yrs as veterinarian
Thank u Dr M, regarding tapeworms which i understood can only be transmitted by a flea is this correct? Also, should i allow Bella the chichuahua, to run around and play with my other babies drink & eat from the same bowl ? Am alittle concern where my dogs are walked due too many cats & other dogs in the neighborhood complex before it was just my dogs & was able to walk them outside now, i have to walk them away from the complex across the neighborhood afraid of fleas although, they are bath twice a wk & have flea collars on at all times but there's always that one chance especially, when the whole complex is full of ally cats and dogs. Thanks, again
Tapeworms come from fleas and eating mice/rabbits-small prey items. This problem we see more in hunting cats.
Yes the dogs can play together as well as eat and drink form the same bowls.
It sounds as if you are working hard against fleas so you may be able to rid the new dog of tapeworms once and for all.