Tapeworms in Cats: Treatment

Being a cat owner I can assure you that there is nothing as repulsive as finding a white slimy worm stuck on the chair as soon as the cat gets off it. Tapeworms are intestinal parasites in cats that affect their digestive system. Classified as cestodes, these flat segmented cat worms use their hook like mouth parts to latch on to the small intestine of your feline friends. So what do tapeworms in cats look like? Well, they are whitish in color with a ribbon like appearance, and can grow up to 60 cms in length.

Tapeworms require two hosts to complete their life cycle. While the intermediate host passes the cysticercoid around, it is in the final host, your cat, where the tapeworm develops into an adult and lays it's eggs. Although there are several types of tapeworms that infect cats, the Dipylidium canium is by far the most common tapeworm in cats followed by Taenia taeniaeformis. Here is more information on tapeworms in cats: treatment, symptoms and causes.

Tapeworms in Cats: Life Cycle
Dipylidium canium: Dipylidium canium is the most common tapeworm found in cats and its intermediate hosts are the cat fleas. So the eggs are passed in the feces which is eaten by flea larvae. This is where the egg hatches and becomes a cysticercoid. When the cat ingests these parasitic fleas from its body while grooming, the tapeworm is released. This intestinal parasite then hooks on to the intestinal wall and develops into an adult. Once they reach maturity, segments of the worm break off and leave the body via the anus.

Taenia taeniaeformis: One of the most common tapeworm in cats, taenia taeniaeformis infects cats when they eat rodents containing the tapeworm larvae.

Tapeworms in Cats: Symptoms
Tapeworms do not cause any cat health problems. The common symptoms of tapeworm in cats include presence of rice like segments around your cat's anus and in the immediate environment of your pet, which may qualify as a sign of tapeworm infestation. Other symptoms of a tapeworm infestation include unthriftiness, depression, irritability, an unpredictable appetite and poor coat condition. In certain rare cases the tapeworms may cause debilitation, weight loss and diarrhea in cats. You might also find the cats scooting or dragging its anus along carpets. This is due to anal irritation caused by the tapeworms.

Are Tapeworms in Cats Contagious?
Yes, tapeworms in cats are contagious to humans. However, it is quite difficult to contract the parasitic worms from cats. In fact the only way to get a tapeworm from your cat is if you eat a flea.

Tapeworms in Cats: Treatment
Once the veterinarian has diagnosed tapeworms in cats, there are a range of treatment and preventive measures that can be used. For treating tapeworms in cats, drugs and medications for de-worming are primarily used.

Tapeworm in Cats Medications: Most medicines for tapeworms in cats include, Praziquantel and Epsiprantel. However, it is vital to note that Epsiprantel cannot be given to kittens and even Praziquantel should not be administered to kittens less than 6 weeks old. The appropriate dosage is based on the weight of the animal. Other medications for providing relief for tapeworms in cats include bunamidine, niclosamiden and mebendazole.

Controlling Fleas: Controlling fleas is the cornerstone of the treatment of tapeworms in cats. There are a range of flea control products available in the market. You need to consult the veterinarian for the type of product and whether you need to treat your yard or home for fleas. While choosing the flea control items look for the "flea growth hormone" which prevents flea larvae in your carpet from maturing into adults. While the normal flea control sprays eliminate the adult fleas, they do not kill the eggs or flea larvae. Wash your cat's bedding in hot water and make sure to spray the couch and other furniture where a flea infestation is possible. Read more on flea control.

In addition to keeping your cats free of fleas and lice, you may also need to prevent them from hunting rodents. Dispose of the cat feces immediately and appropriately. Since children are at risk of ingesting fleas when they are outdoors it is important that strict hygiene be practiced. Remember that for dosage and treatment of tapeworms in cats, pills and drugs need to be taken as per the veterinarian's advice.