My cats are regularly treated for fleas, using Frontline Plus. However, they still scratch quite a bit. I don't see any fleas on them, so I don't know if they have fleas or if they're just scratching for the fun of it.
When I first got my two kittens, one had roundworms, and he was treated. We used Drontal Cat. Drontal is a treatment for both roundworms and tapeworms.
After the male kitten was treated, the female started getting tapeworms. We used Drontal on her as well.
Both kittens were doing well for a while. They had followup treatments, and like I said, have been treated for fleas, too.
Just last night, I found some tapeworm segments on the male cat.
I'm so disheartened about this. It's just turning into a never-ending cycle. Their health is the most important thing to me, and I must be doing something wrong if I'm treating them for worms and fleas, and the worms keep coming back, and my cats keep scratching. I don't know what to do anymore.
Any advice would be appreciated.
2007-10-10 05:51:57 · 11 answers · asked by iarechigz 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
We do get all our pet meds directly from a vet. I've never used an over the counter product, and I've never purchased any kind of medicine online.
Thank you all for your suggestions so far.
2007-10-10 06:40:42 · update #1
How often do you worm? It should be every three months, but if you have a particular worm problem it can be as often as monthly with Drontal. You might want to consider moving to Milbemax I suppose - I've never heard of a problem with Drontal being ineffective, but I spose it's not impossible that you have some kind of super resistant worms! Milbemax is newer so they won't have encountered it..... just to check, those worming tablets are actually getting in to the cat's stomachs, right? Like, if you crush them in food they definitely eat all the food? Or if you put them down their throats, they're definitely not sneaking off and spitting them out?!
As for the worms, just make sure you're getting that Frontline Plus riiiiight on the cat's skin, NOT their fur. They will then be protected against fleas for up to six weeks. If you want to be doubly sure, spray the house - get some Indorex, or Staykil, or Acclaim or Skoosh. Frontline Plus stops fleas infesting the environment, but if fleas are already IN the environment, it cannot stop them.
If you give your cats a good combing with a flea comb, paying particular attention to the neck, under arms and belly, check the fur on the flea comb - flea dirts (small black specks and spirals) are the telltale sign that fleas are present. But yes, it's perfectly possible that the cats just have itches that aren't to do with fleas! Check them for fleas to be sure.
Chalice
2007-10-10 10:07:06 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first thought is to treat them both at the same time...that way they can not give it to the other...Then I would treat the house. I have used Fleabusters with a lot of success. I put it on the carpets and brush it in..but I wore a face mask as it is a concentrated form of boron...the dust will bother me as I am asthmatic. Then after it is brushed into the carpet and areas like cracks and all you can vacuum up what did not get into the floors. It works for a year...and then you need to do it again. The boron helps to repel ants, and roaches and also other insects...and is safe to use with pets in the house...I did stick my cats in a different room as I did each room so they would not breathe in the dust..My next thought is to maybe change to a different flea remedy...like Advantage or Revolution....maybe the fleas you had are resistant to the Frontline. It can happen.. Do your cats go outside? If so they are exposed to fleas a lot and they will bring them in when they come in..Do you have a dog? If so they may be hitchiking on the dog when you bring him in....Fleas can get on people as well....so even we can bring them in. Fleas do transmit the tapeworms...I know how frustrating it can be to get it under control...but hang in there it will get better...Myrtle
2007-10-11 03:18:45 · answer #2 · answered by Myrtle P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only using Drontal does not work. It must be "Drontal Plus". This takes care of all worms , parasites including tapeworms. Drontal without the Plus doesn't kill tapes. Also tapes lay eggs so another dose in a few days may be necessary. I called several vets to get the Plus. Also you give the pill whole and it goes by each cats weight. hope this helps. it worked on all 7 of mine and I also do cat rescue because they all have worms. Bobbie
2007-10-11 14:09:45 · answer #3 · answered by bobbie.blanchard 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keeping them apart while they are both being treated. They should be examined by a vet and treated through the vet. You probably have to keep them using seperate litter boxes during the treatment because that is one way the worms can be passed.
I have three cats, and got them when they were all kittens. One had roundworms and we had to isolate him from the other two for a while and we treated them all. It was not fun, but they are all healthy and happy now and are worm free!!!
2007-10-10 13:02:18 · answer #4 · answered by Jess 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
back to the vet you should go! I agree w/ above - treat them all at once! Keep on with the flea treatment as well untill the worms are completely gone! The fleas are the cause of the worms. You should be getting treatments from your vet, not OTC though. All will be well! But yes they must be treated at the same time for it to work or else they'll just keep passing it back and forth...also make sure to keep your litter cleaned daily!
2007-10-10 13:00:58 · answer #5 · answered by Triple Threat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One sure way of getting worms is to eat prey that's carrying them. Are these outdoor cats? Any bird or rodent they consume can bring the problem back to you.
Fleas, once treated and gone, will stop the tapeworm problem if these are indoor cats. The roundworms are from prey though. If one has roundworms, the other cat will pick them up also from using the same litter box.
2007-10-10 19:55:35 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the Frontline isn't the thing for your kitties. I have always had GREAT results with Revolution. Make sure to treat everyone at the same time. Revolution kills fleas, ticks, earmites, protects against heartworms, and kills some type of worms. Just make sure to get it from the vet, because I've read that some of these meds by mail products are not quite the same.
2007-10-10 13:01:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get both treated at the same time, and treat them both for fleas at the same time... Make sure it's vet treatment, otherwise, ur wasting ur money... sometimes it helps to keep them in seperate rooms for a few days until ur sure their gone. Then they can be together again... just make sure they are treated together so they cant pass it while the other is being treated...
2007-10-10 12:56:04 · answer #8 · answered by Kay-Cody 0918 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ask about milbemax and capstar. milbemax for worms and capstar for fleas. you also need to treat the house for fleas i use zodiac for this one can does an average 3 bed house.
2007-10-10 13:05:40 · answer #9 · answered by kath 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have to treat them at the same time or they'll keep giving it from one to the other. If any animal in your neighborhood has it, they'll have to be treated too or yours will catch it when they play.
2007-10-11 04:55:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋