Tapeworm Dewormer for Cats

While cleaning the litter box, you notice white, squirming, rice-like particles of something in your cat's feces and under her tail. Your vet tells you these are segments of tapeworms, caused by fleas, and prescribes a dose of dewormer to rid your pet of these internal parasites. Allowing your veterinarian to treat your pet, and learning how the treatment works, gives you the information you need to keep your cat free of possible reinfestation.

  1. Function

    • Veterinarians commonly prescribe praziquantel (trade name Droncit) for cats diagnosed with intestinal tapeworms. Tapeworm larvae live in the digestive systems of fleas, and transfer into your cat's small intestines when your pet eats the flea. The larvae grow into segmented, adult worms that can be close to 20 inches long and absorb your animal's nutrients through their skin, says Dr. Holly Nash of the Pet Education website. The squirming tapeworm segments pass into the cat's stool, where they can be seen with the naked eye and release eggs into the environment, continuing the cycle. Praziquantel kills the adult worms.

    Effects

    • Praziquantel works as an antiparasitic by lessening the tapeworm's resistance to digestion by your cat's intestinal tract. Other dewormers detach tapeworm segments, but leave the head of the worm embedded in the cat's bowel wall, allowing the worm to grow back. Praziquantel disintegrates the entire worm, which is then digested and passed out, unseen, in your cat's feces, says Dr. Robert Bill in "Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians."

    Features

    • Droncit comes in 23- and 34-mg tablets and as a 56.8-mg per milliliter injection manufactured by the Animal Health Division of Bayer Health Care. Their website allows crumbling the tablets in food for easier administration to your cat.

    Dosage

    • The veterinary dosage for your cat depends on your pet's weight. According to the "Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs" by Dr. Mark Papich, if your cat weighs less than 15 pounds, he will receive 16.5 mg of the drug for every pound of weight. If your cat weighs more than 15 lb., your vet will administer 11 mg per pound. Praziquantel destroys the tapeworms using only one dose.

    Adverse Effects

    • There are no known contraindications with any other medications for praziquantel, says Dr. Papich. Overdosing of the medication results in vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia (the inability of the cat to eat), and veterinarians can safely prescribe praziquantel for pregnant cats. It is not to be used in kittens under 6 weeks old.

    Warning

    • To keep your cat free of tapeworms, you must eradicate any fleas on your pet or in your environment to keep the parasites from reinfesting your animal. Praziquantel does not destroy the eggs that will be eliminated in your pet's feces---you will need to follow proper hygiene by washing your hands after cleaning the litter box. "Accidental ingestion of tapeworm eggs by humans poses a potential public health hazard," say Dr. Bill.