What happens if tapeworms are left untreated in dogs?

When tapeworms in pet dogs are left alone, a silent health crisis is brewing under the seemingly calm appearance. In the early stages of tapeworm infection, dogs may only scratch their buttocks occasionally and have a loss of appetite. These subtle abnormalities are often ignored by their owners, but they may become the beginning of serious diseases. Next, let's take a deeper look at the harm that long-term untreated tapeworms will cause to dogs.

Tapeworms are a common intestinal parasite with a complex life cycle that often requires the assistance of intermediate hosts such as fleas. When dogs accidentally eat fleas infected with tapeworm larvae, the larvae will gradually develop into adults in the intestines. Adults feed on nutrients in the dog's intestines. Over time, a large number of tapeworms parasitize in the intestines, causing direct damage to the intestinal mucosa. The intestinal mucosa is a key part of nutrient absorption. Once damaged, even if the dog eats normally, it cannot fully absorb the nutrients in the food, which will cause malnutrition and weight loss in the dog.

Tapeworms gather in large numbers in the intestines and may also cause intestinal blockage. Imagine that the intestine is like a busy transportation channel, and tapeworms are like randomly piled obstacles that hinder the normal passage of food. When intestinal blockage occurs, dogs will experience severe vomiting, abdominal pain and other symptoms. They cannot express their pain in words, and can only convey their discomfort by whimpering and curling up. If intestinal blockage is not treated in time, it will cause ischemia and necrosis of the intestinal wall, and then cause fatal complications such as peritonitis, pushing the dog to the brink of death. Every owner who has experienced the painful struggle of a dog due to intestinal blockage knows the helplessness and suffering, and regrets that he did not discover the abnormality of the dog earlier.

Long-term infection with tapeworms can also seriously weaken the dog's immune system. In order to fight these foreign parasites, the dog's body will consume a lot of energy and nutrients, resulting in a decline in immune function. At this time, the dog is like a castle that has lost its solid defense line, and is more susceptible to invasion by other bacteria and viruses, causing various infectious diseases. Originally, a common cold may develop into severe pneumonia for dogs infected with tapeworms; a small skin scratch may also cause a large area of ​​infection and ulceration due to insufficient resistance.

Tapeworm infection may also affect the dog's behavior. Physical discomfort can make dogs irritable and anxious. They may have behavioral problems such as frequent barking and furniture destruction. Some dogs may even resist the touch of their owners because of abdominal pain. The once close relationship will be alienated due to the torture of the disease. The owner watched the once docile and obedient dog become unfamiliar, but he didn't know that the tapeworm was behind it, and he was full of doubts and helplessness.

What is more worrying is that tapeworms not only endanger the health of dogs, but also have the risk of being transmitted to humans. Especially when there are children in the family, when children have close contact with dogs, they may accidentally eat tapeworm eggs and be infected with tapeworms. This means that letting the dog's tapeworm infection go will not only harm the dog, but also threaten the health of the whole family. Therefore, when the dog is found to have signs of tapeworm infection, the owner must not take it lightly.

Dogs are the most loyal companions of humans. They devote their lives to us and give us endless companionship and happiness. When they encounter diseases, we have the responsibility and obligation to detect and treat them in time. Taking dogs for regular physical examinations and deworming, and carefully observing their daily behavior and physical condition are the keys to preventing and controlling tapeworm infection. Don't wait until your dog is deeply harmed before you regret it. Every careful observation and every timely treatment are deep love and protection for your dog. Let us use our actions to escort the health of dogs and not let "invisible killers" like tapeworms have a chance to take advantage.