Diagnosis of Tapeworms in Dogs
Tapeworms are classified as a parasitic organism, and as such, may cause a number of symptoms that will be noticiable to the owner of an infected dog. However, diagnosis for Tapeworms involves the direct identification of signs (worm segments, eggs, pieces) that the Tapeworm produces.
There are several diagnostic procedures that are useful in identifying a Tapeworm infection.
Visual Fecal Analysis
This is probably the easiest method for a veterinarian to positively diagnose a dog with Tapeworm based on a fecal sample. Dogs infected with Tapeworm will commonly display tapeworm segments in their feces, which usually appear as small, white objects similar in appearance to grains of rice.
Direct Observation of Fecal Sample
Even if Tapeworm segments are not visible, a veterinarian will still be able to inspect a fecal sample from a dog suspected to be infected with Tapeworms under a microscope. A skilled veterinarian will be able to identify any existing Tapeworm eggs. As this method usually preserves the existing eggs, it can be a very reliable method of diagnosis.
Fecal Flotation
This diagnostic procedure aids in diagnosing an infection with Tapeworm by making Tapeworm eggs visible in a fecal sample. This method requires that the owner of a dog suspected to be infected with Tapeworms collect a sample of the dog's fecal matter. Once obtained, this sample is brought to a veterinarian for testing and analysis. The veterinarian will put the fecal sample into a specially designated solution that will cause any eggs present in the fecal sample to float. A cover is put over the top of this sample, which will cause any floating eggs to adhere to the cover slip.
After approximately a five minute wait, the cover slip is removed from the top of the sample, and then subjected to close examination under a high-powered microscope. Any eggs that are present on the cover slip are able to be easily identified. However, the positive identification of Tapeworm eggs depends largely on the concentration of eggs present in the fecal sample, which can vary depending on how long a dog has been infected with Tapeworms.
Also, it is possible for many of the eggs that are present in a fecal sample to dissolve during a fecal flotation diagnostic procedure, making them undetectable. This makes fecal flotation an unreliable method for use as a singular basis for diagnosing a dog with Tapeworm.