Talk to me about tapeworms

[clam]

Was a few weeks overdue on the flea/worming treatment
Administered it last Tuesday but, as on an economy drive, used over-the-counter stuff from PetsAtHome rather than the ripoff expensive stuff from the vet. (May live to regret that).

Yesterday's poo had what looked like grains of white rice all over it! Googled it and sounds like tapeworms, and was all set for a trip to the vet's - except today's poo was absolutely fine. Is this to be expected with worms, or does it mean I was imagining yesterday's rice. Or that it was, in fact, rice after all and the monstrous one had been through the bins again?

[alp]

Hi clam!

When we first wormed our dog she pooped spaghetti looking stuff. Truly disgusting.

A call to the vet told me this was the worms and the worming tablet working. It was only on that occasion as I was told she would have 'passed' everything.

Yuk!!

[Scuttlebutter]

Any chance of retrieving a "sample" for testing? Could woof have accessed rice without your consent? Usually rare for rice to come through undisturbed, so does sound a bit worrying. Oh dear.

Why is it that no-one ever tells you when contemplating dog ownership that you will spend your life being obsessed with poo - colour, consistency and any little Visitors.

[clam]

Well, dh was under strict instructions to keep this morning's poo, ready for me to take to the vet's! But he said it was fine, so disposed of it as usual in the doggy bin.
Dog did actually get hold of the kitchen bin contents last Tuesday evening - I'd stupidly left it by the back door as it was raining heavily, and then forgot it was there. He got hold of goodness-knows-what and promptly threw it all up that night. But that was a good few days ago.
He is due to have his annual jabs around now, so I suppose I could book him in anyway and ask while I'm there. But am a bit that they'll fleece me for expensive treatment regardless.