How to Tell if your Bichon has Tapeworms/ 6 Types

2. Dipylidium Caninum.

Common name: Double pored tapeworm or cucumber seed tapeworm.

Final host: Dog (Bichon Frise)

Intermediate host: Fleas

Pathogenesis:

The adult is non-pathogenic and several hundred can be tolerated without clinical effect. They shed segments, which as they crawl actively from the anus, may cause some discomfort and a useful sign of infection is excessive grooming of the perineum. It has been suggested that infected dogs form the habit of rubbing the anus along the floor, but impacted anal glands are a more common cause of this behavior.                                                                            

 Clinical Signs:

 Anal discomfort and itching, Excessive grooming or licking of the perineal region, Crawling of segments from the anus.                                          

Diagnosis:

Often the first indication of infection is the presence of a segment on the coat around the perineum. If the segment is freshly passed, preliminary identification may be made on the elongate shape, and the double genital organs, which may be seen with a hand lens. If it is dried and distorted it will be necessary to break it up with mounted needles in water, where the egg packets are easily seen under the microscope.                                                                              

Treatment and Control:

• The intermediate Host of Dipylidium caninum is a flea. If your Bichon Frise ingests the infected flea, the dog may end up with an infection of this tapeworm. Therefore flea control is must be needed.                                                                                    
• Dog’s bedding and customary resting places should receive attention with insecticides to eliminate the immature stages of the flea, which are many times more numerous than the adult parasites feeding on the dog. 
• Administration of anthelmintics, such as Nitroscanate and Praziquantel. Should be accompanied by the use of insecticides.

• Destruction of fecal matter properly.

3. Echinococcus Granulosus.

Common name: Dwarf dog tapeworm

Final host: Dog (Bichon Frise)

Intermediate host: Sheep

Pathogenesis and Clinical Signs:

The adult tapeworm is not pathogenic and thousands may be present in a dog without clinical signs. But in heavy infections there may be gastrointestinal disturbances, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of infection in Bichon Frise with adult tapeworms is difficult because the segments are small and are only shed sparsely. When found eggs in feces, identification is based on their size (2.0-3.0 mm), and ovoid shape. In some countries, control regimes have involved the administration of purgative anthelmintics, such as arecoline hydrochloride, so that the whole tapeworm is expelled in mucus and can be searched for in the feces. Immunodiagnostic tests have been developed that are based on the fecal antigen detection antibody sandwich ELISA technique.

Treatment:

More difficult to remove, but several drugs, notably praziquantel are now available, which are highly effective. After treatment it is advisable to confine dog for 48 hours to facilitate the collection and disposal of infected faeces.

Control:

This is based on the regular treatment of dogs to eliminate the adult tapeworms and on the prevention of infection in your Bichon Frise by exclusion from their diet of animal material containing hydatids (Hydatid is the development stage of Echinococcus granulosus in the intermediate host). To ensure that thoroughly cooked meat (sheep) should be given to Bichon Frise. Also denying your dog access to abattoirs, and where possible by proper disposal of sheep carcasses on farms.

4. Echinococcus Multilocularis.

Common name: Dwarf fox tapeworm

Final host: Dog (Bichon Frise)

Intermediate host: Rodents

Pathology:

The adult tapeworm causes little damage in the intestine. If your Bichon Frise eats rodents, the metacestode stage inside the rodent will enter into the dog’s liver. Invasion by the metacestode stage can result in atrophy of the liver parenchyma and cause cirrhosis.

Treatment: Can be treated with Praziquantel or Epsiprantel.

Control:

• The treatment of a dog with an effective cytocidal anthelmintic.
• Proper discard of dog feces.
• Proper sanitation and hygiene.
• Adhere to the dog deworming schedule.

5. Taenia Hydatigena.

Final host: Dog (Bichon Frise)

Intermediate host: sheep, cattle, pig

Pathogenesis and clinical signs: In heavy infections, there may be gastrointestinal disturbances, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anal pruritis.

Diagnosis:

Often the first sign of tapeworm infection is the presence of proglottids (Proglottids are segments in the strobila of a tapeworm, containing a complete sexually mature reproductive system) in the faeces or more frequently the perianal area as a result of the active migration of the segments.

Treatment: Tapeworms can be removed from your Bichon Frise through the administration of an effective cytocidal anthelmintic, such as Niclosamide, Praziquantel, Nitroscanate or multiple doses of Mebendazole or Fenbendazole.

Control: Prevention of infection by exclusion from their diet of animal material containing cysts. To ensure that thoroughly cooked meat should be given to Bichon Frise.

6. Taenia Ovis

Final host: Dog (Bichon Frise)

Intermediate host: Sheep, Goat

Pathogenesis and clinical signs: Heavy infections in young Bichon Frises can cause diarrhea and ill thrift.

Diagnosis: Recognized through the presence of shed proglottids and/or tapeworm segments in fresh feces.

Treatment: Tapeworms can be removed from your Bichon Frise through the administration of an effective cytocidal anthelmintic, such as Niclosamide, Praziquantel, Nitroscanate, or multiple doses of Mebendazole or Fenbendazole.

Control: Prevention of infection by exclusion from their diet of animal material (Goat, Sheep) containing cysts. To ensure that thoroughly cooked meat should be given to Bichon Frise. Regular treatment with an effective anthelmintic will reduce contamination of the environment. The dog should be denied access to raw sheep and goat meat and carcasses.  Also can give highly protective recombinant vaccine (Available in some countries)

Treating Tapeworms Naturally

• Pumpkins Seeds
• Food Grade Diatochaeaus Earth
• Grated Carrots

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Conclusion

Preventing Tapeworm infestation is Preventable by regularly treating your Bichons for tapeworms. Our worming Meds were provided by our Vet, then we administered it to the Dogs. We were very careful to dispose of dog poop to avoid recontamination. We also cooked all meats and treated our dogs for Fleas, to help prevent problems.