Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that many pet owners fail to notice. They will appear on your cat, usually as dried segments that appear like bits of rice or pasta around the anus. Tapeworms are a zoonotic parasite, meaning they can be spread among species. It is advised to seek veterinary treatment when dealing with any sort of illness to receive a proper diagnosis and/or treatment (reference 1).
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Praziquantel Treatment
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Praziquantel is the primary choice of dewormers for removing tapeworms from cats. It is available as an over-the-counter tablet or paste, and is also available through your veterinarian. Both prescription and over-the-counter Praziquantel come in 23 mg doses. Trade Winds Tape Worm Tabs and Valu-Cat Wormer Paste are over-the-counter. Droncit is the prescription alternative.
Felines under 4 lbs should receive 11.5 mg, cats that weigh 5 to 11 lbs. should receive 23 mg, and cats weighing more than 11 lbs. should be given 34.5 mg. These are the recommended dosages from the manufacturer of the over-the-counter solution as well as the prescription solution. (reference 2 and 3)
It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions if administering this medication at home. Otherwise, refer to your vet's instructions for more thorough or complicated issues.
Avoid Reinfestation
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Since tapeworms are most commonly caused by exposure to fleas that are infected with the parasite, use a flea preventative regimen on your cat to avoid reinfestation. Launder all bedding, carpet, and fibrous materials. Vacuum floors and any hard-to-reach crevasses where flea eggs may be hiding. A solution of 1:3 diluted chlorine bleach should be utilized on any surface that will not be damaged by it.
The second most common cause is eating the entrails of an animal that has been infected with tapeworms. If your cat is an indoor-only cat, this method of reinfestation should be easy to avoid. If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, or an outdoor-only cat, limit his unsupervised time outdoors to ensure he does not bring home anything unsavory (reference 1).
Possible Side Effects
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The side effects of tapeworm treatment are minimal to none. Excessive salivation and diarrhea have occurred in clinical trials, but are noted as rare. Make sure your pet has access to plenty of clean, fresh water. If your cat's appetite has decreased, try wet cat food to entice her (reference 2 and 3.)
If any symptom persists longer than 24 hours or rapidly increases in severity, seek emergency veterinary medical attention. Persistent loss of appetite or thirst, ataxia, lethargy, and unconsciousness are symptoms of an overdose and should be treated as a serious medical emergency.
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