Cat Tapeworm Medication Remedies

Tapeworms are one of the most common parasites found in cats. Along with roundworms, tapeworms are frequently seen in both housecats and feral cats. The main culprits for transmitting the parasite to the cat are fleas and infected rodents. A tapeworm infection is identifiable by the small, rice-like sections of the parasite that break off from the adult worm and emerge from the anus. The sections will stick to the tissue and fur around the anus, though it is possible to see them in places where the cat has been sitting.

  1. Profender

    • Profender is a topical medication used to treat a variety of parasites, including tapeworms. Profender contains the drug Praziquantel, which helps remove the tapeworms by rendering their sucker ineffective and prevents them from attaching to the intestinal wall of the cat. The unattached parasite moves out through the bowels and exits the cat's body in feces. Profender is administered by applying the liquid between the shoulder blades of the cat. Dosing is determined by the cat's weight. The small dosing tube is for cats weighing .5 kg to 2.5 kg, medium dose is for 2.5 to 5 kg, and large is for 5 kg to 8 kg.

    Droncit

    • Droncit is another medication used to treat tapeworm infections in cats. Droncit prevents the tapeworm from attaching itself to the cat's intestinal wall, which allows the cat to excrete the parasite when he has a bowel movement. Like many medications used to treat tapeworms, Droncit contains Praziquantel, but it is administered orally or by injection. Droncit is available in tablets ranging in strength, including 23 mg, 34 mg, 136 mg, to 600 mg. Injectable Droncit comes in a 56.8 mg/ml solution. Dosing for cats with tablets is 2.5 mg per pound of body weight, while the injectable dose is .6 ml, regardless of weight.

    Panacur

    • Panacur treats a wide variety of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats, one of which is tapeworms. Panacur contains the drug Fenbendazole, which kills the worms inside the infected animal, resulting in dead worms in the animal's stool. Panacur is available as in 222 mg/gram granules, or powder, that is administered with food or as a 222 mg/gram oral suspension. It is also available in a paste, but this method is rarely used. Panacur is usually given for several consecutive days, with three days being the norm. Dosing levels for cats is 25 mg per pound of body weight.