Gave Drontal on 1/19/16, and today Pepper is lethargic

peckzoo

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Hello everyone! I'm new here, but I've been to your site before for information. 

We have had two boys for over three years now.  Prior to that we took a stray in and it was our first cat to have to put him down 8 months later, after $1400 in research, to find out our first cat would have FIP.  We've always had dogs, and this guy made his way into our hearts, taught us a lot, and then left a vacancy. We waited out the time needed, and completely cleaned/disinfected our home, and brought Cheerio into our world.  Then a year later we brought in Riley.  They are the best.

Recently, we have had the neighbor's "stray" keep showing up, and asked if we could take her in as she is just under a year, and had yet to be fixed.  He was okay with it.  She had worms, so she was given the appropriate amount of Drontal.  That was five days ago. She has been fine up until today.  She ate most of her dry food today, but didn't want anything to do with her wet.  She had already passed stools with the worms in them (earlier this week), and they have been pretty good since.  A little "wet", but getting more solid each day.  She seems to be drinking some water, too, but just not as much.  Normally, when she sees me she'd run over, meowing, purring, and climbing into my lap. (Right now, she is separate from our boys since she needs her test for feline leukemia, and such, and is scheduled to be fixed this week).  Anyway.....is it normal for this side effect to happen this many days later?  I'm wondering if it's because her system is "healing" after getting rid of those worms. 

Her name is Pepper. 

Your experience and opinions are appreciated.
 

stephanietx

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I can't really help you, but wanted to welcome you.  Sorry you're having difficulty with your girl. 
 

catwoman707

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Hello everyone! I'm new here, but I've been to your site before for information. 

We have had two boys for over three years now.  Prior to that we took a stray in and it was our first cat to have to put him down 8 months later, after $1400 in research, to find out our first cat would have FIP.  We've always had dogs, and this guy made his way into our hearts, taught us a lot, and then left a vacancy. We waited out the time needed, and completely cleaned/disinfected our home, and brought Cheerio into our world.  Then a year later we brought in Riley.  They are the best.

Recently, we have had the neighbor's "stray" keep showing up, and asked if we could take her in as she is just under a year, and had yet to be fixed.  He was okay with it.  She had worms, so she was given the appropriate amount of Drontal.  That was five days ago. She has been fine up until today.  She ate most of her dry food today, but didn't want anything to do with her wet.  She had already passed stools with the worms in them (earlier this week), and they have been pretty good since.  A little "wet", but getting more solid each day.  She seems to be drinking some water, too, but just not as much.  Normally, when she sees me she'd run over, meowing, purring, and climbing into my lap. (Right now, she is separate from our boys since she needs her test for feline leukemia, and such, and is scheduled to be fixed this week).  Anyway.....is it normal for this side effect to happen this many days later?  I'm wondering if it's because her system is "healing" after getting rid of those worms. 

Her name is Pepper. 

Your experience and opinions are appreciated.
Hi there and welcome to tcs!!

I have been using drontal for my rescue for many years, it's fast and effective, and covers tapeworms too, which pyrantel won't.

Side effects are not common, and actually very unusual, but if there have been, they would be seen within hours of dosing, and gone within 2 days or so, the time this drug takes to be out of the system.

So, while I highly doubt the med has made her feel sick, I do wonder about how infested she was/is with worms.

When you said you saw the worms pass in her poop, it's a bit worrisome, it tells me she was very infested, and should be redosed 10 days-2 weeks after her last dose. Even if it's with pyrantel now. The tapeworm is gone, but the roundworms need at least a second dose.

In puppies we can see plenty of worms in their poop but not so much in cats. 

The worrisome thing here is not common but does happen, sometimes in a bad worm infestation, killing off too many of the worms at once can lead to issues, can actually block or partially block intestines, even fill their tummies so much the worms invade lung space and cause lung worm. Sure is sad that she didn't have anyone to love her until now, but so glad she has you now!!

There may be something else going on with her though., but I do not believe it has anything to do with the drontal.

Has she been vaccinated?
 
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peckzoo

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Good Morning - well Pepper is more herself this morning.  The first day after the Drontal she had a nasty diarrhea which when researching side effects, it stated that was normal.  They then became more solid.  The first solid stool had one worm in it and it wasn't full of worms.  I had to look close to see it.  It was wrapped around the stool. (appeared to be the round worm after looking at pictures of the difference).  Prior to the drontal the tapeworm rice pellets were showing up on her anus and on her fur.  That has discontinued.  The first stool was the only one with a visual worm in it.  She also passed a stool yesterday evening.  She never vomited.

I will continue to monitor her and if anything changes, I will surely take her to the vet.

Is pyrantel the liquid?  I just remember a friend stating that 10 days after the drontal she gave a "liquid". 

We are checking with our friend on the rabies vaccination, but since somebody dropped her off to him last spring, we doubt it.  So, yes, we plan on giving her all the vaccinations needed. 

After dealing with that FIP in Louie, I'm borderline paranoid when any of our kiddos seem out of sorts.  Cats are kind of funny that way, too.  They can have moody days, too, just like people.  :)

Thank you for your help - I greatly appreciate it. 
 

catwoman707

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Good Morning - well Pepper is more herself this morning.  The first day after the Drontal she had a nasty diarrhea which when researching side effects, it stated that was normal.  They then became more solid.  The first solid stool had one worm in it and it wasn't full of worms.  I had to look close to see it.  It was wrapped around the stool. (appeared to be the round worm after looking at pictures of the difference).  Prior to the drontal the tapeworm rice pellets were showing up on her anus and on her fur.  That has discontinued.  The first stool was the only one with a visual worm in it.  She also passed a stool yesterday evening.  She never vomited.

I will continue to monitor her and if anything changes, I will surely take her to the vet.

Is pyrantel the liquid?  I just remember a friend stating that 10 days after the drontal she gave a "liquid". 

We are checking with our friend on the rabies vaccination, but since somebody dropped her off to him last spring, we doubt it.  So, yes, we plan on giving her all the vaccinations needed. 

After dealing with that FIP in Louie, I'm borderline paranoid when any of our kiddos seem out of sorts.  Cats are kind of funny that way, too.  They can have moody days, too, just like people.  :)

Thank you for your help - I greatly appreciate it. 
Oh okay good, seeing one worm is not a big infestation. She may have just been having an off day :)

I do highly suggest a follow up deworming, 10-14 days after her last, either drontal or pyrantel, yes it's liquid. 

Rabies vaccines aren't a big deal, she should have one anyway at some time but it's the standard fvrcp vaccine that she really does need, she can get that at her spay appt, and probably the 2nd dewormer too, so that will take care of her.

I completely understand the paranoia after fip, gosh, that's just the worst and cruelest virus ever :(
 
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