Tapeworms are nasty little parasites that suck the nutrients from a cat's body. While not harmful in healthy animals, they can be a nuisance to pet owners the world over. Once identified, tapeworms are easily treated with highly effective oral medications. Despite the ease of treatment, side effects have been known to occur.
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Tapeworms are just one of the parasites that can infect cats.
Time Frame
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Most cats will experience side effects within the first 24 hours after receiving medication (Reference 1).
Identification
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Side effects are usually mild. The most common side effect is an excess of salivation. Dizziness and lethargy are also considered mild side effects of most tapeworm medications (Reference 1).
Frequency
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Laboratory testing on both over-the-counter and prescription tapeworm medications indicates that the frequency of side effects is very low. A study published as a supplement to the "Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian" states that there is approximately a 1 in 500 chance that a cat will develop side effects directly related to the medication, and not to the parasites themselves (Reference 2).
Potential
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In rare cases, side effects have been known to include loss of coordination, excessive vomiting and diarrhea, lack of appetite, lack of thirst, loss of consciousness, coma and death (References 1, 3).
Prevention
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To prevent the possibility of side effects, speak to your veterinary health professional before administering tapeworm medication to your pet. If any symptoms of an adverse reaction present themselves, seek emergency medical care for your cat immediately (References 1, 3).
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