Tapeworms in Cats

[workinatsavin]

I just took my two inside-only cats to the vet and they have tapeworms! Yesterday I saw a tiny white maggot-like thing on my shorts after holding my boy cat. I looked at him and he had one in his tail area. I kind of freaked out because they are just so disgusting. Apparently cats get them from ingesting fleas. I do not have a flea infestation by any means. I did recently see a couple of fleas on my inside cats so I applied some Advantage. ( I don't use it regularly because of the cost.) Then the next day or so I see these worm things. Uhg. They will have to go back next week for a second treatment. The vet just says vacumn a lot and use Advantage for two months. I have outside cats too and I guess I have brought the fleas in on my clothes! I guess I just need some reassurance that this too shall pass. Anyone with similar experience?

[flemishe]

I had a kitten that had tapeworm. It was gone quickly with some meds the vet gave me. This was way before Advantage was created, so the steps to remove the fleas was more intensive. She was very anemic, and the vet said the tapeworm was taking nourishment away from the cat. Good thing you caught it! Good luck to you. I abhor fleas.

[BamaLady]

Drontal and Dronset are prescription wormers that you can get from your vet.

They are prescribed by the weight of the cat. I've used Drontal on my cats when I'd see evidence of tapeworms. The Drontal eliminates all worms, tapeworms, roundworms, and pinworms.

It is sort of pricey--last time I bought it, over a year or so ago, it was up to $15 to $17 for one pill. It works, though. Worms will be gone in 24 hours. Then, keep the fleas off the cats so they don't ingest them and hatch more. I use Revolution. It is not cheap, either, its just as expensive as Frontline.

If you can cultivate a friendship with someone who works at a veterinarian's office, they might be able to get these medications for you at cost--1\2 of retail price.

The wormers sold OTC in stores and such are no good. Don't waste your money on them. Same with flea treatments/collars. They are just as likely to kill your cat, or make her sick, and will not do anything to the fleas.

Worms just gross me out, and I will not let my babies suffer with them.

[cspigner28]

I have a lab that I just got rid of tapeworms. It was no big deal, bought something called Knockout for the house to spray to kill any fleas, comfortis for him, and the vet gave him a shot, just a one time thing. Haven't had any problems since, could be different in cats though, had no experience with tapeworms in my cat yet

[Rene S]

Originally Posted by BamaLady Drontal and Dronset are prescription wormers that you can get from your vet. They are prescribed by the weight of the cat. I've used Drontal on my cats when I'd see evidence of tapeworms. The Drontal eliminates all worms, tapeworms, roundworms, and pinworms. It is sort of pricey--last time I bought it, over a year or so ago, it was up to $15 to $17 for one pill. It works, though. Worms will be gone in 24 hours. Then, keep the fleas off the cats so they don't ingest them and hatch more. I use Revolution. It is not cheap, either, its just as expensive as Frontline. If you can cultivate a friendship with someone who works at a veterinarian's office, they might be able to get these medications for you at cost--1\2 of retail price. The wormers sold OTC in stores and such are no good. Don't waste your money on them. Same with flea treatments/collars. They are just as likely to kill your cat, or make her sick, and will not do anything to the fleas. Worms just gross me out, and I will not let my babies suffer with them.

This is excellent advice. Again, you need to eliminate your flea problem or the tapeworms will return.

[TBEventer2002]

Double-ditto to BamaLady! GREAT advice! :)

There is also a relatively new product out called Profender. It is a monthly topical that kills roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Good for outside kitties and feral cats (anything you can't pill). It doesn't do fleas, however.

You don't need to be "infested" with fleas to see tapeworms. It only takes one. And it could have been a dead one at that.

As far as the treatment, Cestex is a one-time pill to kill tapeworms (thru your vet). Due to the lifecycle of the tapeworm, you may continue seeing dead tapes coming from your cat for a week or so. But this is just the body purging the dead parasites.

Good luck, and yes, "this too shall pass." :)