Tapeworms are made up of tiny segments that look like grains of rice. Each of these segments may contain eggs. Tapeworms trigger severe itching and discomfort on dogs around the anus and the segments can be seen clearly in the feces. There are two types of tapeworms. One type is named Dipylidium Caninum and can only affects dogs. The other type of tapeworm can affect humans and cause an illness called the Hydatid Disease.

Dipylidium Caninum is transmitted by fleas. This cucumber-shaped organism is the most common type of tapeworm that affects dogs. The flea larva ingest rounded tapeworm segments field with eggs or sometimes the actual egg themselves. Once the flea matures, it hops on your dog. Your dog can catch tapeworms by inadvertently eating the fleas in which the tapeworm larvae have developed.

As the flea passes through your dog's digestive system, the tapeworm egg attaches itself to the intestine, where it eventually hatches and matures. The mature segments that are filled with eggs pass out of the dog's anus. The segments, while moist, can move around for a while. The eggs that are contained in the new segments are then eaten by fleas and begin its new cycle.

Tapeworms can grow to up to two feet in length inside a dog's body. Luckily,
humans do not get this form of tapeworm from dogs. This parasite is very hard to fully treat because the head tends to separate form the body and remains stuck to the intestinal wall.

When tapeworms or the segments leave your dog's body, they are likely to attach themselves outside the anus. This causes severe itch and uneasiness which leaves your dog scratching itself for relief. In addition, your dog tends to stop gaining weight and may even lose a few pounds because he is inadvertently sharing his food with the tapeworms. The stool will visibly reveal the presence of tapeworms in the form of tiny white grains which moves about by forming a sort of "point" on one end.

You will need to see your vet to treat this type of tapeworm. Deworming agents that are used for treatment are very potent and has to be given with extreme care. Furthermore, you need to take steps to treat your house and get rid of fleas that carry tapeworm eggs.

A word of warning: Children can easily get tapeworms either by accidentally swallowing fleas while petting and infected dog or by being licked on the mouth by a dog with a flea on its tongue. It is very important to have your children wash their hands after petting a dog and to always remind them never to put their hands in their mouths.

Ringworm: A natural way to cure ringworm

Ringworm is a condition that is acquired through contact with the skin and hair of an infected dog or other animal. Ringworm is caused by a fungus that eats the skin and hair of its host. It usually appears in human as circular, scaly, red areas. As the parasite grows, it spreads inward forming a circular shape that looks like the shape of a ripple when you drop a stone in a pond.

In dogs, the affected area appears hairless, thickened, scabby, and irritated. They are usually disk-shaped and about one inch or more in diameter. A lot of ringworm cases transmitted by animals come from cats, although dogs can also carry the spores without showing any visible signs.

In humans as well as animals, the number of infection from ringworm is steadily increasing. In fact, ringworm infection is now among the most common if not the most common fungal disease reported. While children are more vulnerable to ringworm than adults, humans can get infected at any age. Here is a way you can treat ringworm using a common herb:

You may use the herb goldenseal and make a strong infusion by mixing the powdered herb with one cup of boiling water. Let it stand until cold then carefully pour the liquid and massage it on the skin about once or twice a day.