The Winn Feline Foundation cites the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm, or flea tapeworm, as the most common tapeworm found in cats. Cats acquire tapeworms whenever they ingest adult fleas infected with tapeworm larvae, usually during the course of grooming, but sometimes when they eat rodents or other wild prey. Cats generally show few signs of physical illness when infected with tapeworms, so it's up to their human companions to take note of other signs of this parasite.
-
-
Flea control prevents tapeworms
Signs of Tapeworms
-
Tapeworms may first become apparent when a cat's human guardian notices proglottid tapeworm segments crawling on top of fresh feces or flat, dried-up, rice-shaped particles attached to the cat's fur (under the tail) or in areas where she sleeps. A cat may show no signs of tapeworms aside from an anal irritation--she may rub or scrape her bottom against the floor to relive itching. But the Winn Feline Foundation warns that a cat with numerous tapeworms can suffer from malnutrition and intestinal inflammation.
Tapeworm Treatment
-
Deworming treatments to treat tapeworms only include prazinquantel, which may be administered to kittens as young as 6 weeks; and epsiprantel, which may be given to kittens 7 weeks of age or older.
Combination Wormers
-
Tapeworm treatments may also include other wormers to prevent or treat hookworms and roundworms, in addition to tapeworms. A combination of pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel can be administered to kittens 4 weeks of age (1.5 pounds). A combination of emodepside and praziquantel may be given to kittens 8 weeks of age (2.2 pounds).
How Tapeworm Treatment Works
-
Tapeworm treatments may be given orally or injected. Most cats require only one round of treatment to get rid of tapeworms. Wormers kill the living tapeworms and allows the dissolved parasites to pass through the intestinal tract along with the cat's food.
Treating the Cat's Environment
-
Exercising good flea control in the cat's home environment--and making sure he is treated for existing fleas--is of tantamount importance. Tapeworm treatment is extremely effective; however, if a cat swallows more fleas, he can easily become re-infected and require treatment again.
-