Every responsible and attentive cat owner should regularly proceed with deworming treatments for their feline friend; however, many people do not understand what type of parasite has infested their cat, whether it is roundworms or tapeworms. If you are concerned about tapeworms, make an appointment with your vet to get a prescription for the appropriate medications.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Locate the Infestation
Step 1. Learn to recognize tapeworms
These are flat, tapered worms that can reach a length of 60 cm and are typically creamy-white in color with flat segments along the entire body.
- They stick firmly to the intestinal walls, so it is difficult to see an adult specimen, unless the cat has been subjected to deworming.
- It is easier to see egg lumps on the animal's fur, particularly near the anus.
Step 2. Look for white, rice-like lumps on the cat's fur
When these parasites reproduce, they fill specific segments, called proglottids, which contain hundreds of tiny eggs.
- Adult tapeworms lay these egg clusters in the intestinal cavity, where they migrate to the cat's anus.
- Proglottids are similar in size and appearance to a grain of rice; if you see white elements of this type on the cat's fur, it is very likely that it is tapeworms.
Step 3. Take a sample to the vet for examination
If in doubt, collect a lump of eggs on a piece of duct tape to show the doctor. Proceed by tearing off a 6-inch piece of tape, adhere the sticky side to the suspect sample and then attach it to a card.
Step 4. Keep in mind that if your cat is infested with fleas, it is very likely that it also has worms
There are two main types of tapeworms that usually infect cats and have different intermediate hosts; Dipylidium caninum (the most common among cats) uses fleas to reach its final host.
- It is quite likely that cats with fleas are also infested with tapeworms, because immature fleas feed on the eggs of these worms which are present in the pet's feces. The tapeworm eggs hatch and develop into mature parasites inside the fleas (intermediate host); when the cat licks and takes care of the hair it ingests the insects, the gastric juices then break down the body, releasing the worms in the larval form.
- It is therefore extremely important to carry out regular checks for fleas, in order to keep tapeworm infestation under control as well.
Step 5. Keep in mind that cats that hunt are more likely to infest themselves
The second type of worm by diffusion, Taenia taeniaeformis, develops the larval stage in the body of rodents such as rats and mice; therefore cats that capture prey are more likely to have this parasitosis.
- Rodents become infected with tapeworm larvae when they eat plants contaminated with cat feces which themselves contain parasite eggs. The worms burrow into the muscles of mice and when cats catch and eat them, they become infected as a result.
- For this reason, cats that live outdoors should be subjected to regular deworming treatments, preferably every 3-6 months.
Method 2 of 3: Treatments
Step 1. Take the cat to the vet
If possible, take a sample of rice-like proglottis found in the animal's fur. this way you can help the doctor determine the type of parasite that has infested your feline friend. Your vet may prescribe praziquantel-based deworming products.
- Although the treatment is the same regardless of the type of tapeworm that has infested your cat, identifying the parasite allows your doctor to advise you to avoid recurrence.
- Praziquantel is the only active ingredient that can kill tapeworms, but many pesticide products contain additional ingredients that are also effective against roundworms.
Step 2. Understand the action of this drug
Praziquantel paralyzes parasites by causing them to release their grip from the intestinal walls; the dead worm is then expelled with the feces.
- The substance triggers paralysis by making the phospholipid membrane (the worm's skin) permeable to sodium, potassium and calcium ions.
- A massive dose of calcium ions paralyzes the parasite's primitive nervous system, its sucker detaches from the intestinal mucosa and the whole worm is expelled.
Step 3. Identify some products that contain praziquantel
Drontal tablets and injectable Droncit were the only drugs with this active ingredient for many years; however, other products are now available, such as Milbemax tablets, and medicines for external use (eg Profender) which are applied to the nape of the animal. Below is a short list:
- Injectable Droncit: contains praziquantel and is effective only on tapeworms (not on nematodes);
- Drontal tablets: contains praziquantel to treat tapeworms and pyrantel against nematodes;
- Milbemax tablets: is a drug based on praziquantel, which acts on tapeworms, and milbemycin oxime which kills nematodes;
- Profender for external use: contains praziquantel to eradicate tapeworm infestation and emodepside to kill nematodes.
Step 4. Follow the veterinarian's instructions regarding the administration of the medicine
About 2% of cats experience mild side effects to oral medications, including nausea, diarrhea or loss of appetite; if your feline friend suffers from these discomforts, call your vet right away.
Medicines against tapeworms kill the parasites present in the cat by the time the dose enters the body, but they do not have persistent effects and the animal may become self-infested again
Method 3 of 3: Prevention
Step 1. Stop the cat from hunting
Killing and eating a weed prey is the main cause of this parasitosis; avoiding this behavior is an excellent way to protect the cat from various species of intestinal worms.
Step 2. Eliminate flea infestations
The other source of infestation is these insects. The cat and other pets should be regularly subjected to effective treatments respecting the instructions of the manufacturer of the insecticide substance.
There are many products on the market, but the ones that have proven most effective contain fipronil (Frontline, Frontline Plus and Virbac Effipro) or selamectin (Stronghold)
Step 3. Have your cat dewormed at least every 3 months
Clusters of tapeworm eggs are a sign of active parasitosis, and any kitten that displays them on their fur should be treated this way.
