Tapeworms are named for their narrow, flat and segmented bodies. The young adult worms embed their heads in a cat's intestines where their segments mature, break off, and pass in the cat's stool. Untreated tapeworms can rob your pet of much-needed nutrients. Tapeworm medication can soon solve the problem.
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Identification
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Fenbendazole, praziquantel and epsiprantel, says the Companion Animal Parasite Council, are FDA-approved to treat cat tapeworms. Of these, epsiprantel and praziquantel are most frequently prescribed.
Effects
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Both praziquantel and epsiprantel damage the tapeworms' skin so the worms dissolve within the cat's intestinal tract. Your cat won't pass any dead worms in his stool after treatment.
Adminstering
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Give your cat a 12.5mg or 25mg epsiprantel tablet based on his weight (12.5 mg for cats up to 10 lbs.; 25mg for those over.) Your vet will administer injectable praziquantel in a weight-appropriate dose.
Considerations
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While both medications usually eradicate tapeworms in one treatment, cats can get the worms from ingesting fleas while grooming. Unless your cat is also treated with flea-preventive medication, tapeworm re-infestation is likely.
Safety
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Cats getting five times the recommended dose of epsiprantel for three days experienced no side effects. About 9 percent of the cats given injectable praziquantel in a field trial experienced side effects including digestive upset and irritation around the injection site
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