Depending on the type of product you use and the presence of other pets in your home, your veterinarian will help you decide whether you also need to treat your house and yard for fleas. With some of the newer products, environmental control of fleas may not be needed. Circumstances vary, however, so be sure to talk to your veterinarian. Appropriate disposal of all pet feces, especially in public parks, yard, or playgrounds. Strict hygiene practices for children after playing outdoors.
New medications are safe and effective.
The prognosis for successful treatment is good. Humans can become infected with tapeworms, although infection is rare because it is established by ingestion of a flea. The risk for human infection with Dipylidium caninum is quite small but does exist. Another less common group of tapeworms, called Echinococcus , is of increasing concern as a threat to human health. These tapeworms cause serious, potentially fatal, disease when humans become infected.