The worm sounds like a tapeworm, and the dog probably got it by eating an infected flea. You can't get tapeworms directly from the tiny rice-like segments because the tapeworm has to complete its life cycle inside a flea first. However, you could get a tapeworm if you ate a flea, so exercise caution. The vet will give your dog the appropriate deworming medicine.
For monthly flea/tick/heartworm/parasite treatment, I give Bella the topical Revolution drops. It is a single medicine that you apply to the skin on the back of the neck, and after it's dry, the hair is stiffer where you applied the drops, but it's not visibly noticeable. They have a dosage of Revolution that is safe for Yorkies under 5 pounds. Bella has not had any bad reactions from the Revolution, although she acts a little "itchy" for 15 minutes or so after it is applied, probably because of the alcohol (or whatever the liquid is) as it evaporates. |