Medications That Treat Tapeworm in Cats
Tapeworm infestation is a very common problem for cats, especially those that go outside and/or have fleas. This is because cats usually get tapeworms from accidentally eating infected fleas, their larvae or eggs. Cats can also get these and other parasites by eating mice and other animals. If you notice pale, moving worm segments near your cat's rear, she probably has this parasite.
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Medication Brands
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Medications used for tapeworm in cats include Tape Worm Tabs by Tradewinds, Feline Drontal, Droncit and Cestex. These medicines are given in tablet form.
Active Ingredients
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Praziquantel is the active ingredient for tape worm in Tape Worm Tabs, Drontal and Droncit. Epsiprantel is the active ingredient in Cestex.
Drontal and Cestex are only available by prescription. Drontal also contains includes pyrantel, which takes care of other common worms.
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Dosage and Age
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You should not use tapeworm medicine on kittens younger than six weeks. Dosage for praziquantel is by weight and starts at approximately 11 mg for 4 pounds and under--which is half a tablet of Droncit for cats. Cestex is given to cats at a dosage of 1.25 mg per pound, according to peteducation.com. Always check the medicine label. It is very important to give the correct dose.
Side Effects
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Side effects are not common unless the dosage is too high. If side effects occur, the cat will usually just have vomiting and diarrhea, but these symptoms should not last. If they do, contact your veterinarian.
Warning
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Never treat a cat for worms if the cat is weak, ill, underweight or very old without first bringing her to a veterinarian. These medicines, although beneficial for getting rid of these parasites, should be given with caution to cats that may be unhealthy and unable to withstand the treatment.
Tapeworm medicines (except for Drontal, which contains another ingredient alongside praziquantel) will only get rid of tapeworm and won't rid your cat of roundworms or other common worms. If you aren't sure which kind of parasite your cat has, take her to a vet for tests before treating the cat for tapeworm.
Considerations
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Since fleas are usually the source of tapeworm, to prevent tapeworm from returning, rid your cat and her environment of fleas. Use a veterinarian recommended flea product, such as Frontline or Advantage, on the cat and wash and vacuum bedding/carpeting well to get rid of fleas, larvae and eggs.
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