Getting rid of tape worms

chloe3404

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I have established that my two 11 week old kittens has tape worms, but instead of taking them to the vet, I am just going to get these tapeworm tabs called "Prazequante" they are supposed to get rid of them. Besides taking them to the vet is bascially what he would weigh them and give them the proper portion of what they need. Also a way to get rid of fleas. Is this a good way to go? They are not outside cats, so i don't know how they got them either.
 

coaster

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No, I don't recommend that. OTC dewormers are often ineffective and sometimes dangerous. I suggest you do get proper tapeworm medication from a vet. Furthermore, there's a very good chance they may also have other worms. Some worms are passed from the mother kitten to her babies. To make sure the proper deworming medication is administered, I suggest you have fecal samples analyzed by the vet.
 

hissy

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Please do not use over the counter flea meds and wormer, it truly can put your cat or kittens in danger and also just waste your money.
 

houmedgal

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Yes, take them to the vet. It's the safest thing for them, and the Praziquantel the vet will give you if it they do indeed have a tapeworm is not terribly expensive (I had to buy some for my kitty yesterday, and if I remember correctly, they charged me $18 or so).
 

fonzi

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Thats true, you don't know what else he can have..

I would fersure take him to the vet!
 

abigail

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Abi saw the vet twice, each time they did not see the ear moites I insisted she had and then they finally saw them. plus this morning I saw tapeworms in her excrement, so the exam they gave ger was a very very superficial. The humane society said she was dewormed... and she hasn't been out of my care since i got her 2 weeks ago. so obviously their "deworming" was worth nothing. I am a strong believer in self medical care anyway.. hahahahah oops. did I confess that?
 

coaster

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The deworming that most humane societies around here do is to administer a dose of Strongid....which doesn NOT kill tapeworms. Strongid does kill the worms that are most at risk for transmission to humans, so that's probably why they do it that way....and it's cheaper. Perhaps such is the case with your cat, also.
 

seppolina

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Tapeworms are contracted when a cat eats an infected flea. Hence, a kitty can be dewormed, eat an infected flea & get tapes all over again within minutes. That's one of the reasons why the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta recommends that all companion animals get dewormed 4 times per year.

Amanda
 

StefanZ

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Originally Posted by coaster

The deworming that most humane societies around here do is to administer a dose of Strongid....which doesn NOT kill tapeworms. Strongid does kill the worms that are most at risk for transmission to humans, so that's probably why they do it that way....and it's cheaper. Perhaps such is the case with your cat, also.
I think you mean Stronghold. A drop on the neck and it takes away most parasites, fleas, mites, most worms. But not tapeworms, no.

It is easy to administer, that is the main reason. Especially if the cats not domestic but perhaps stray or even feral.

We in Sweden have a advantage. The pharmacy sells most of the dewormers used also by veterinarians, we dont ever need to go to buy the "dangerous OTC" preparats.
But even we go sometimes to vet to get advice about best dewormer...
 

touro1979

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The best way to take care of fleas is advantage (or frontline).

Over the counter worms meds are NOT good for the cat and probably not effective. Take the cat to the vet, deworming is very easy and fairly cheap.
 

beckiboo

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Originally Posted by Abigail

Abi saw the vet twice, each time they did not see the ear moites I insisted she had and then they finally saw them. plus this morning I saw tapeworms in her excrement, so the exam they gave ger was a very very superficial. The humane society said she was dewormed... and she hasn't been out of my care since i got her 2 weeks ago. so obviously their "deworming" was worth nothing. I am a strong believer in self medical care anyway.. hahahahah oops. did I confess that?
Me too! I am a very strong believer in self care. However, the over the counter wormers are less effective and more dangerous, so I refuse to subject an animal under my care to them. (Except the horses, they get OTC wormer on the vets advice.)

And I would never self medicate a baby, and your kittens are babies. If they recently saw the vet, call for the worm medicine. They can't weigh that much different than at the last visit. The vet may want to check a stool sample, but should not need a full visit.

And you can check a stool sample of an animal in the beginning stages of worms and not see anything. Then as the worms grow and are shed in the stool, they will show up in the sample.

Also, they may need more than one treatment to get rid of the worms. So even if kittens were wormed, if they only got one dose, they will still have worms.

Good luck getting rid of the worms while keeping your babies safe. Self care is fine, but you need to know when to call a professional!
 

gardenandcats

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If you have just had yourr new cat in to the vet. More then Likely if you call and tell them that you have seen tapeworms. The vets will give you the proper meds without having to take the cat back in. Its worth a call to find out. If not I would not give any OTC flea of worm meds. I would take the cat back to the vets for the proper meds.
 

StefanZ

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Originally Posted by coaster

No, I meant Strongid.

http://www.pets.ca/forum/archive/index.php/t-1767.html
Right. Sorry. Stand corrected. It is two entirely different preparates.

In any case, I did read about Stronghold they often use it in TNR groups some countries for ferals. Very Easy to administer and takes most of parasites - both outside and inside - save tapeworm...
 
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