Rebound from tape worm infestation?

Question

My family went away for ten days this fall, and a neighbor was taking care of my nine year old cat for us. When we came back, I was shocked. He looked like he'd been starved the whole ten days. But, being an avid mouser who really doesn't eat much dry food, it seemed odd that he'd gotten so skinny.

The neighbor came over, and told me she'd been concerned with his ravenous appettite and drop in weight, and so she'd brought him into her house to watch him and feed him some Thanksgiving turkey. That was when it became apparent that a tape worm was the issue. The cat was taken the next day to the vet, given the dewormer, and all traces of worm are gone. This was Oct.11.

My cat has yet to return to normal. A once avid mouser, he no longer wants to go outside. He seems to have lost all lust for life. Is this normal? Can I expect him to bounce back to normal?

The cat has seen a vet, and is clear of tapeworms. The vet can't find anything else wrong with him

Answer 1

He could have reinfected himself easily via grooming or walking in the litterbox and then licking his paws.

Have him re-checked again for worms. Then have his blood drawn for an overall checkup. Good luck!

Answer 2

Rapid loss of weight despite appetite and some lethargy? Sounds like something other than tapeworm... If I were you, I'd get the kitty to the vet and ask for blood test to see how his insides are functioning. Blood test costs about $50.00. At any rate, take him to the vet, explain what been going on and see what the vet says. But I'd ask for the blood test.

Answer 3

The meds did a number on him... You may want to get him checked for HIV for cats.. Sounds like he may have caught it... I think they call it FIV -feline

Answer 4

Cats get depress too!