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My dog's worm medicine failed. Can I give a different dewormer now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Staffordshire Terrier | Male | neutered | 1 year and 9 months old | 47 lbs

I gave my 2 yr old, 47# pit bull his second dose of worm medicine last week, it is not working can I get a different worm medicine and give him a dose so close to the last dose of old worm medicine. Both old and new medicine was or will be bought at pet store

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 2nd, 2016

If you find worms in his feces then your dog is really infested with worms. If the worms look like grains of rice (white or cream colored), then your dog has tape worm and normal wormers will not work. Best get the wormer from your vet. You may also want to bring a fecal sample to your vet so he can determine what kind of wormer your dog needs.

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 29th, 2020

    Those are tapeworm segments. The dewomers you gave likely did not contain the dewormer for tapeworms. Tapeworms need a special dewormer called praziquantel. You need to dose now and again in 3 weeks. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/bayer-tapeworm-dewormer-tablets-for-dogs

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