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My rescue dog has flat white things in his poop. Is it tapeworm?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 2 years and 2 months old

Dos my dog have tape worm? I just got him from an animal rescue shelter. I took a sample of his stool to them and said I thought he had tape worm, but they said he didn't. This is the second stool he has had with these flat white things in them. He is under weight, has some hot spots on his back. He was in the the shelter for a few months. Other than the stuff in his stool, he is active, alert, and acting normal.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Mirissa Duncil, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 3rd, 2017

Hi there! These certainly look like tapeworms! You could take a stool sample in to show your local veterinarian, but that is certainly what it looks like to me. These can easily be treated with Drontal. Hope this helps!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Congrats on your new dog, but I'm sorry Cooper may have worms! Thank you for providing the pictures, and it does look like he has tapeworm segments in his feces. Tapeworms require praziquantel to treat, which is available by prescription only from the vet. I would take Cooper into the vet today or tomorrow, and bring a sample of his feces for the vet to examine and confirm if he does have tapeworms. The vet can prescribe Drontal, which contains praziquantel, to treat the tapeworms. The vet can also help you treat his hot spots, and can discuss a diet to help him gain weight. I hope this helps, enjoy your new dog :-)

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