One of our cats has worms, and after extensive (and gross) research on the Internet, we suspect tapeworms. All of the over-the-counter wormers we looked at in the PetSmart store said they were for roundworms. Any suggestions for Over the Counter (OTC) or natural remedies for treating tapeworms?
She has no symptoms of illness and appears very alert and healthy, but we saw the wormies. (eeeeeeeek)
By the way, we have isolated her to collect a fecal sample, and will be taking it (and her) to the vet on Monday or Tuesday (depending on when we can get an appointment.)
** We called the Emergency Vet who cheerfully told us that worms are "not an emergency." **
And do we need to treat all of the rest of our cats for the same type of worms???
Any suggestions or experience with this??? Thanks for your help.
2006-10-29 15:34:44 · 10 answers · asked by Harvie Ruth 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Tapeworms aren't nice, but they're not an emergency so don't worry too much. Theyn usually don't bother the cat too much either unless there is a very heavy worm burden...the main problem is with kids becoming infected from accidentally swallowing tapeworm fragments that are shed in cat poo. (e.g. kids that play in ourdoor sandpits, that sort of thing) Again, probably not to much to much to worry about, just rather unattractive...)
You need to get medication for her from your vet- ask for a product that contains praziquantel- this is the only drug that will kill tapeworms.
Also make sure that you are treating her for fleas- they are a major part of the lifecycle of the tapeworm most commonly seen in cats (called Dipylidium caninum). As far as this parasite goes, no fleas = no tapeworm.
2006-10-29 18:36:42 · answer #1 · answered by Loz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are seeing the worms, then i would not even bother with taking in a fecal sample. I would go ahead and take her in and get her treated for tapeworms. They will either give her an injection of Droncit or they will give her a pill called Drontal. The other cats will need to be treated also. You also might want to start looking for fleas on your cats. Most of the time when cats get tapeworms, it is usually from ingesting a flea. Fleas can be hard to find on cats since they groom themselves so frequently, that is how they ingest the fleas and get tapeworms. I think it is wonderfull that you are going to the vet to get this taken car of. I would take her in, but if the worms are present around her hind in I wouldnt want you to have to pay for a fecal if they can already see the worms. I hope everything turns out okay. Cats can be completely healthy when they have tapeworms, its only when they go untreated that they start having health issues.
2006-10-29 17:23:48 · answer #2 · answered by durbinl22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off I love your Avatar, I have a long haired version of that cat. Tapeworms can spread to your other cats, so make sure that you give them different litter boxes. The worms are caused by the cat ingesting fleas, so make sure that you have your cat on a good flea product like Frontline or Revolution. There is not otc remedy for tapeworms and you will need to take your cat to the vet to get the prescription. Sorry.
2006-10-29 15:40:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My cat passed a 4-5 inch worm. Is that a tapeworm and does that mean it is all gone?
2016-05-01 13:01:58 · answer #4 · answered by Dan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kitty will be OK until tomorrow. The vet will give you enough medicine for all your cats-they can get it from each other through the litter box-worm segments get on their paws and they lick them off. The initial vector is usually fleas-they carry eggs in their stomach and the cat eats the fleas during grooming so be sure to control fleas and hopefully you will never go through this again!
2006-10-29 16:56:20 · answer #5 · answered by barbara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OTC dewormers are not very affective. Your best bet is the vet (glad you are already planning on taking her :). Tapeworms are caused by either fleas or from eating rodents, like mice. You will probably need to treat the other kitties too, especially if they have fleas.
Good luck!
2006-10-29 15:40:55 · answer #6 · answered by Vet_Techie_Girl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to the vet in the tomorrow or the next day, just bring a stool sample and he will give the right medication. It is not an emergency. If you have other cats sharing the same litterbox, they will probably have to have the medicine too. Your vet will probably give you the meds for the other cats without seeing them, especially if he has seen your other cats before. He will just have to know how much they weigh.
2006-10-29 15:40:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Over the counter dewormers are not very effective anyway. The vet will give you droncit for all of your cats. And all should be well. Gross though they may be, an emergency they are not. Breathe... :) All will be well
2006-10-29 15:44:26 · answer #8 · answered by bassetmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably will be getting a perscription for Droncit the cure is far easier than finding them beforehand. Check for fleas...This is the cause most likely of the worms. Good luck
2006-10-29 15:43:27 · answer #9 · answered by rural diva 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probley tapeworms. did they look like rice. no you need your veterinarian to give you medication called droncit you will need to know your cats weight and they came from ingestion of fleas so some where some time she had fleas if you have other cats that have been together treat all of them and check for fleas
2006-10-29 15:40:43 · answer #10 · answered by adoggonecute 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋