Questions re tapeworms

ellsworth · Jan 16, 2010

Today I was petting my 8 m.o. kitten and about 6 worms, white on one end and yellow on the other shaped like rice but slightly smaller, fell off of his rear end. I took him to the vet 3 weeks ago for the same thing. The first time that I took him in he had had fleas but I treated him then and the fleas have not returned. He's an indoor only cat. I'm guessing tape worms...

It cost $100 for the vet exam and the dewormer the first time I took him in. So,

1. why did he get the worms again?;and,
2. do you think that $100 to treat the worms is a fair price?

ldg · Jan 16, 2010

$100 for an exam and flea treatment sound a bit expensive but not outrageous depending upon what treatment for the fleas was used... but most flea treatments treat the fleas, not the eggs - are you sure you're rid of the fleas?

And you should be able to pick up Drontal to treat the tapes without having to take your cat in for an exam this time.

Also, you may want to give this thread a quick read - maybe try diotomacious (sp?) earth (food grade) for potential fleas? http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=210908

ryffian · Jan 16, 2010

Originally Posted by Ellsworth

1. why did he get the worms again?;and,
2. do you think that $100 to treat the worms is a fair price?

Was he treated specifically for tapeworms during the first vet visit or just "dewormed"? There are several different products that each get rid of different worms. For example, a drug that works against roundworms won't work against tapeworms.

Also, treating an animal for fleas is only part of the battle. Flea eggs will persist in the animal's environment and hatch over time. Most flea products for pets actually need the flea to get on or even bite the animal to kill the fleas. There's a chance there were fleas left in the house that were still carrying tapeworms.

As far as whether your price was fair, it's hard to say. Your profile says you live in Southern California, so I would guess prices would be a little higher there. Where I am in Louisiana, anywhere between $40-60 for an office visit/well pet exam is reasonable, with any tests and medications being extra.

sharky · Jan 16, 2010

Originally Posted by Ryffian

Was he treated specifically for tapeworms during the first vet visit or just "dewormed"? There are several different products that each get rid of different worms. For example, a drug that works against roundworms won't work against tapeworms.

Also, treating an animal for fleas is only part of the battle. Flea eggs will persist in the animal's environment and hatch over time. Most flea products for pets actually need the flea to get on or even bite the animal to kill the fleas. There's a chance there were fleas left in the house that were still carrying tapeworms.

As far as whether your price was fair, it's hard to say. Your profile says you live in Southern California, so I would guess prices would be a little higher there. Where I am in Louisiana, anywhere between $40-60 for an office visit/well pet exam is reasonable, with any tests and medications being extra.

well put ...

where I live a vet who has seen the animal will often rx a wormer for you to pick up

diggerled · Jan 17, 2010

My opinion; It seems to me that any worm treatment should include "Profender", a topical. It will kill roundworms and tapeworms. It lasts for three months. With the worm cycle broken for 3mo., one could then break the flea cycle and decontaminate repeatedly over that time period. This should make a home virtually risk free for worms.

BTW, my vet here in S. Indiana charged $21.95 for "Profender". It can be used alone as the primary treatment. It can be purchased for less (with prescription) through the internet. This would be appealing to owners of multiple cats.

ellsworth · Jan 17, 2010

Thanks guys, I'll try to see if my vet will give me a break this time. The $100 was for the exam and the tape worming only. Not only am I in Southern California, but my vet is in Newport Beach and it's a cat-only clinic; the perfect storm for over pricing.

I have 3 other cats. Should I be worried about them?

ldg · Jan 17, 2010

Well if you're in Newport Beach, I'd say it was probably cheap!

...and yes. If one cat had fleas, they probably all had/have them. Revolution and Profender are topical treatments that kill fleas AND internal parasites. Like diggerled said, you use it for three months on all the cats while vacuuming your home frequently and thoroughly (including furniture), and you should be OK.

misskalamata · Jan 17, 2010

Originally Posted by LDG

Revolution and Profender are topical treatments that kill fleas AND internal parasites.

They do??? I never saw anything mention Profender killing fleas. Can anyone point me to this information?

My vet recommended (for our cat) a flea preventative along with deworming every 4 months. I assume he still needs the flea med with the Profender? On the months he gets Profender, does he still need the Frontline, or will the Profender keep the fleas away that month? It'd be great to only have to give Frontline 9 months out of the year!

(Dang...$20-25 for Profender? My vet charges $14.10!)

darkmavis · Jan 17, 2010

I agree, your vet should be able to give you the Profender topical stuff without having to see the cat again. I never saw or fetl any fleas in/around my apartment or on my cat, and yet I found a tapeworm segment near her butt once day. I put it in a ziplock bag in case the vet needed to see it but they knew from my description over the phone that it was indeed a tapeworm and then just had the Profender for me to pick up, it was about $25 or so. Good luck!!

diggerled · Jan 17, 2010

Originally Posted by LDG

Revolution and Profender are topical treatments that kill fleas AND internal parasites..

The Profender website doesn't mention fleas, ticks, etc.
http://www.profender.com/

ellsworth · Jan 18, 2010

Originally Posted by diggerled

The Profender website doesn't mention fleas, ticks, etc.
http://www.profender.com/

And the Revolution site doesn't say anything about tapeworms, just roundworms, hookworms and heartworms. Do tapeworms need something that the others don't?

white cat lover · Jan 18, 2010

Originally Posted by Ellsworth

And the Revolution site doesn't say anything about tapeworms, just roundworms, hookworms and heartworms. Do tapeworms need something that the others don't?

I believe yes, tapeworms are not covered by Revolution (or most "basic" de-wormers).

Questions re tapeworms

ellsworth

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ldg

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ryffian

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sharky

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diggerled

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ellsworth

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ldg

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misskalamata

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darkmavis

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diggerled

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ellsworth

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white cat lover

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