  |
|
|
|
CatsCat Wormers
» ThatCrazyCatLady - Over the Counter Cat Wormers... Cat Wormers... I received a question via email about using over the counter cat wormers that I thought you all might find interesting... I have a question about worming cats and kittens. I have always taken my cats or kittens to the vet to get this done. However, depending on the number of cats and kittens you have and if the vet wants to see each of them in the office, this can be very expensive. I have found several websites that offer wormers for cats and kittens. Is this a good idea to just buy them online? If so, what type do you think is best... pills, liquid or the paste kind? Also, do you think it hurts to just give them a wormer for all types of worms even if you do not know what kind or if any they might have. In other words, does it hurt to just give a type wormer for all types of worms just as a precaution? There are 3 types of worms that are most commonly found in cats: Roundworm, tape worm, and hook worm. Many people with several cats or outdoor cats do a monthly treatment for roundworm using over the counter wormer. In cats, they can be so small that you don't easily see them, but you can recognize a kitten's hard, round belly easily as a sign of roundworm. Roundworm medication isn't very harsh on a cat's system and is safe to use on a monthly basis whether you've seen worms or not. I use the liquid and use a baby medicine dropper to give it to the cats. I've had trouble getting them to eat it mixed in with their food. Tape worms (which can be transmitted to humans, though you'd probably have to swallow a flea carrying tape worm to get them) can be seen on the feces, around the bottom and tail area, or on the bedding around where the kitty sleeps. They look like small grains of flattened rice. There is medication you can buy online or over the counter in some places, and I've had good results myself with these products. It normally comes in a tablet, which I crush on a spoon, add a bit of water, and pour into the kitty's mouth. I also couldn't get them to eat this mixed in with their food - kitties can smell everything! I would NOT use this unless I actually saw tape worms. And I'd check frequently for tape worms if I've had a flea problem. Hook worms are much more difficult to diagnose. You can't seem them, though you may notice some blood in the kitty's feces. The vet can usually test for hook worms and find them, though not always. Sometimes it takes a couple of tests to catch them, though if you and your vet are both suspicious that it might be hook worms, they might go ahead and give you the 3 day powder to put on your cat's food to get rid of them. The powder is quite a bit more harsh on the cat's system, so it is not a good idea to treat preventatively. A note here if you are breeding cats, tape worm and hook worm medicines can (I have read) make your male cat sterile. Like I said, I've only read this and haven't had any personal experience with it. So basically, if I had one indoor cat who had all their latest vet checkups and fecal exams, I wouldn't just treat monthly for all 3 types of worms. If I had multiple cats, I'd only treat for roundworm monthly and only for tape worm if I saw them, and only for hook worms after a fecal exam at the vet. And as always, it is best to see your vet for any and all problems related to your pet. My comments are meant as an informative guide only and not meant as a substitute for your vet's advise or in replace of a visit to your vet's office. I am not a veterinarian. Hope some of this information is helpful! -- posted by ThatCrazyCatLady » ThatCrazyCatLady - Treating Cat Worms at Home Here's an article you might find helpful: -- posted by ThatCrazyCatLady
Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
|
|
|
