Cat Roundworm Remedies

Roundworms are intestinal parasites that affect millions of dogs and cats each year. Along with tapeworms, roundworms are the most common parasite encountered and treated in pets. Roundworms are easily recognized in the infected animal's stool, with adult worms measuring 3 to 4 inches long. If left untreated, roundworms can sometimes reach lengths of up to 7 inches. Although roundworms are not immediately life-threatening, it is always a good idea to treat a roundworm infection in your cat as soon as it is discovered.

  1. Fenbendazole (Panacur)

    • Fenbendazole is an anthelmintic, which is a class of drugs used to kill parasitic worms. Fenbendazole is most often used to treat roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms in dogs and cats. Fenbendazole is normally given for three consecutive days to ensure that all of the parasites have been killed. The drug is often sold under the trade name Panacur, and it is manufactured by Hoechst. It is available in a 222 mg/gram powder, a 222 mg/gram oral suspension and a 100 mg/gram paste. Dosing for cats is typically 25 mg per pound of body weight.

    Emodepside/Praziquantel (Profender)

    • Profender is another product used to treat roundworm infections in cats. Profender is actually two drugs combined, Emodepside and Praziquantel, and is manufactured by Bayer. Praziquantel is the drug that treats roundworms. It works by preventing the worms from attaching themselves to the intestinal wall of the cat, which allows the worms to be passed in the feces. Profender is a topical liquid medication and is applied to the back of the cat, usually between the shoulder blades. It is available in three sizes of prepackaged pipettes: small, medium and large. The small dose is for cats weighing 0.5 kg to 2.5 kg. Medium is for cats 2.5 to 5 kg, and the large size is for cats weighing 5 kg to 8 kg. Unlike other parasite medications, Profender is only given once every three months.

    Selamectin (Revolution)

    • Selamectin is another drug used to treat roundworms in cats. Selamectin is manufactured by Pfizer, and it is sold under the trade name Revolution. The drug kills roundworms by disrupting the electrical impulses of the central nervous system, which results in paralysis and death. Selamectin is administered as a liquid topical medication and is applied between the shoulder blades of the cat. There are two prepackaged sizes available for cats, all which are based upon body weight. The small-size dose (.25 ml) is for cats weighing less than 5 pounds, while the large-size dose (.75 ml) is for cats weighing over 5 pounds and up to 15 pounds. Revolution is applied monthly to cats.