What are Tapeworms, and how does my pet get them?
The tapeworm is an intestinal parasite found in cats and dogs. It consists of a head and a long flat body made up of segments. The segments break off and are passed in your pet's feces. This still leaves the head attached to your pet's intestinal lining where it produces new segments.
  There may not be any noticeable signs of illness in a pet infected with tapeworms. However, your pet can have digestive upsets, poor appetite, poor coat and/or skin condition, weight loss or vague indications of abdominal discomfort.
Tapeworm infection is diagnosed by finding the segments in your pet's feces. When first passed, the segments are yellowish to white, about a quarter of an inch long. When dry, the segments look like cucumber seeds or grains of rice.
Tapeworms are not passed directly from pet to pet; they require what is called an intermediate host. An intermediate host can be fleas, mice, rats, squirrels and rabbits. Fish can also carry the tapeworm. Your pet gets the tapeworm by eating one of the intermediate hosts.
     
Your veterinarian will probably recommend the following areas or treatment to rid your pet of tapeworms:

-Medication will be given to destroy any tapeworms inside your pet.
-You may need to rid your pet and your environment of fleas. Your veterinarian has many products available for this purpose and will discuss with you which ones are best for you.
-You will need to treat your pet's bedding and living area to make sure there are not remaining intermediate hosts.
-Try to keep your pet from eating small rodents and/or raw fish.
  -Watch your pet after treatment to make sure there are no tapeworm segments in the feces. Notify your veterinarian if your pet's condition does not seem to improve or if new symptoms appear such as vomiting or diarrhea or your pet continues to lose weight.