I have 3 cats of varying ages but only one seems to suffer from chronic tape worms. I'll then get a de worming pill from the vet and he'll be fine for about a month. Then after a month he starts leaving those little rice segments on his snuggle blanket. Any clue why it's always him and not the other cats as well? All are in door cats. He's the youngest at 1.5 years and has had this issue his whole life. Just curious if I should be worried.
2007-09-20 10:28:49 · 6 answers · asked by ? 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I know how a cat gets a tape worm. I just find it interesting that the other cats don't get them too. like they're immune. It's like once a month or so with Mr. Stevenson. But Ruby and Rosie never, ever have had one. Don't you find that curious? From an epidemiologic perspective?
2007-09-20 11:20:39 · update #1
You do realize......that cats should be dewormed every 10 days until it's gone, and then once a month, from there, to prevent it from reoccurring?
I'm surprised the vet hasn't offered that information to you.
2007-09-20 10:32:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 6⤋
Like others have already told you: if you use an effective monthly flea control (advantage or revolution) you will stop having tape worm problems once the cat is properly dewormed (something safe and effective from the vet that is made for tapeworms, not something OTC).
I don't think it is remarkable that one cat gets them and the others don't. Maybe the others are less bothered by fleas and don't groom them off as often. Maybe they simply haven't had the misfortune of ingesting a flea carrying a tapeworm. Maybe they do have tapeworms and you simply aren't seeing them. It's not the tape worm that is chronic, it's the fleas. Be a responsible owner and get them some monthly prevention.
2007-09-20 14:57:27 · answer #2 · answered by jwhtewolfd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ONLY way a cat or dog can have a tapeworm is by ingesting a flea. The tapeworm life cycle requires fleas. Animals ingest fleas inadvertently when grooming or chewing at themselves.
Tapeworm treatments do well to kill existing tapeworms but don't stop the real problem which are fleas. To prevent tapeworms for good, you must treat for fleas.
Good luck.
2007-09-20 10:59:41 · answer #3 · answered by kikitiki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tapeworms are very easy to kill. Just a praziquantel tablet (it's now over the counter--you can get it from the vet or pet store) based on weight. They get tapeworms from eating fleas. Use monthly flea control like Advantage or Frontline on all the cats, and when the fleas are all gone, so will the tapeworm infections.
2007-09-20 10:58:30 · answer #4 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fleas are the most common cause of tapeworm. MAybe you should talk to your vet about the problem.
You don't deworm for tapeworm every 10 days!!!!! That is retarded!!!!! Talk to the vet!!!!!!
2007-09-20 10:32:04 · answer #5 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I have also had this problem, and the medication made my cat very sick. The vet said that tapeworms are extremely hard to kill, you must kill the head of the tapeworm, the part that is attached to the intestines. That can be impossible sometimes, and it is better to let the cat live with it. I know, gross.
2007-09-20 10:34:29 · answer #6 · answered by smartypants909 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋