My dog has tapeworm and I have 3 cats at home so I wouldn't really be able to tell who else has it. If I give them tapeworm medication (even if they don't necessarily have it) will they get sick from it? or would they be OK?
2007-11-29 02:06:46 · 18 answers · asked by Amanda D 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Take them to the vet.
2007-11-29 02:09:36 · answer #1 · answered by LuchaDoll 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just because the dog has a tapeworm infection, doesn't mean the cats have it. It is not contagious from animal to animal. The dog has tapeworms because of fleas, as they harbour in the immature stage of the tapeworm. He has ingested one or two fleas and has become infected. You cats may also have the tapeworm, if they have or have had fleas. I would ask the vet what they would prefer to do, most prefer not to medicate if not sure if the worm is there. Usually they rely on owners seeing the small segments in the stool or on the fur under the tail.
It would not hurt your pets to have them dewomred with correct meciation for cats, but why go to the extra expense if you don't have to?
Talk to your vet, get their opinion.
2007-11-29 02:14:56 · answer #2 · answered by lt4827 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are all your pets -in -house pets ?
If they are, they most likely all have fleas.
Sometimes a tapeworm segment will stick to the fur of the rear end of the cat and they tend to eat more than usual to make up the lost nutrients. I would call a vet and ask the question you asked here, but you don`t need to drag all the pets to the Vet for Tapeworm if thats the only issue.
Thats rather expensive and I know everybody says " take them to a Vet" well with other parasite problems thats true, but for fleas and tapeworm thats no longer true and not everybody has tons of money to spend on over priced Vet Meds.
Here is a link, http://www.tradewindsforpets.com/tapewormtabs.htm .
I`ve used this and it works and it is the same thing a vet uses.
I bought mine at Petco and it was $25.00 for 3 tabs.
2007-11-29 02:36:52 · answer #3 · answered by Scorpian S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have to give an old cat medicine twice a day. I crush it up and put it in AD prescription food from the vet. The food's expensive, but almost all cats love it. This particular cat has no teeth. I have been known to actually put him on a counter, grab him by the back of his neck like a mother cat, and feed the food to him with a baby spoon. He has learned to take medicine this way without any problems....
2016-05-26 21:41:47 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You usally can tell if cats have worms by looking in their poop. You will see them there, there are some worms that can't be seen, you would need a vet for that. I would NEVER give cats medicine for dogs. There give most medications based on weight. If you give them too much it could make the very sick or even kill them. If you are in doubt I would take them to the vet. Hope this helps! Good Luck
2007-11-29 02:12:00 · answer #5 · answered by Berrrrrrrie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it would be fine and won't hurt your cat.
My cats used to get it all the time when they were younger and going outside catching birds, mice etc.
Its a good idea to treat all of at once, since one way it is spread is through licking each other.
Then you could treat them every month at the same time or whatever the instructions are on the meds.
Just make sure what you are using is good for cats and dogs. You might have to get 2 different meds.
2007-11-29 02:34:14 · answer #6 · answered by linda n 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the medicine is for cats. Does not matter if they have or not but will drive out those tapeworms if they is there(most cases they are)
2007-11-29 02:10:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, don't give any of them anything that has not been prescribed by a Vet.
Secondly, it is safe to deworm all of them. Pet's get tapeworms from ingesting a flea, so if one had fleas they probably all did. I'd deworm all of them to be safe. Let your Vet know you have 3 cats as well and they can dispense the dewormer for them as well as the dog.
2007-11-29 02:32:16 · answer #8 · answered by Jessica 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should take them to the vet. You don't know if the medicine might give a negative reaction to your cats and then they may really get sick, and you will end up taking them to the vet regardless.
2007-11-29 02:13:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never administer medications to your pets without consulting your veterinarian.
Do not risk the life of your cats, seek professional assistance in determining if they have a medical issue and require medication.
2007-11-29 02:13:19 · answer #10 · answered by Nutz4Skwerls 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't decide that on your own because you might kill them. Administering medication is a serious thing and dogs and cats are different. You must call your vet.
2007-11-29 02:10:33 · answer #11 · answered by abc 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋