something strange looking in my dogs poo

[shivvy]

I have noticed something strange in my dogs poo recently. The poos seem normal enough in shape and consistency but a couple of them have something that looks like rice grains in them. Does anyone know what this could be? I thought it might be some kind of worms or something similar.
I got her out of the rescue centre in mid December and she has since received all her innoculations and worming treatments. She is approx 7 months old.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks

[creampie]

sound like dried maggots. Have you been feeding your dog dried maggots?

[aka pixi]

Hi shivvy, I had a quick look at this but Im squeamish so don't know if the thing you have seen is on here lol

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/6-1-2006-9799 7.asp

It describes all the different worms dogs can get.

[LoftyLottie]

My immediate reaction would be that it's tape worms as this does look like rice grains. If your dog has been wormed in the last few days, this might be the last bits of the dead worm(s).

Has she had any dog food which includes rice? (Butchers for example). It could also be that she may have chewed up a piece of string or cloth.

I wouldn't worry too much as you say she has had all the necessary worming treatments. Just keep an eye on the situation.

[Gromit]

It's a lot of a worry for you that dog, do you ever wish you'd got a cat?

[Illyria54]

It sounds like it could be segments of round worm, tapeworm looks just like it sounds, tape, or indeed it could be rice grains if you have fed any, if at all worried take a small amount to the vets for them to identify it and put your mind at rest.

[lankeela]

Tapeworms and roundworms are two of the most common intestinal parasites of cats and dogs. Tapeworms are long flat worms composed of many individual segments whereas roundworms are much shorter and have rounded bodies.

Roundworms look like spaghetti, which are shed in the faeces of infected animals, whereas tapeworms release mature segments (which again contain eggs), from the end of the worm into the faeces. These segments sometimes look like grains of rice and are mobile. They can occasionally be seen on the hair around the anus of the animal or in the faeces.

Make sure you worm your dog with a wormer that does both roundworm and tapeworm at least every six months. Drontal is a good one, you can buy it cheaper on line than the vets.

[shivvy]

OK - With your advice, a bit of my own detective work and a phonecall to the vet, it has been diagnosed as a big dose of tapeworm. She has had Drontal and I'm sure it will be cleared up soon. I only ever thought of tapeworm as long and thin however the tapeworm segments (when packed with eggs) come out in their poo looking exactly like grains of rice. There you are - you live and you learn!
Gromit mentioned that I am having a lot of worry with my dog at the minute and he's not wrong - she has just come into season for the first time too. She was due to be spayed this week as well but that has put the brakes on that!
Ho hum!

[LoftyLottie]

Glad it's sorted Shivvy. Although they can cause so many problems, our dogs and cats give so much back in return!
Well done for taking a dog from a rescue centre.

[shivvy]

My last 3 dogs have been rescue crossbreeds LoftyLottie and I wouldn't have it any other way!

[LoftyLottie]

I'm with you there shivvy. Have always had rescue dogs too
(and cats!)