Parasitic worms plague pets of all kinds. The severity of any infestation depends on both your pet and the worms that threaten his or her health. Some worms cause symptoms that are only mildly uncomfortable while others can pose serious health risks.
Roundworms, tapeworms, and heartworms each infect different parts of your pet and the differences in their biology mean that they have different vulnerabilities. Because not all worms are created equal, different infestations require different treatments.
These treatments use different methods of action to ensure their efficacy, meaning that some dewormers will work more quickly than others. Further variety is available because multiple formulas can effectively treat the same types of worms with different active ingredients. The rest of this article will discuss some of the more popular treatments for worms that commonly affect cats and the typical administration period of these products.
Firstly, only cats that are confirmed to have worms should undergo the deworming process, as the poison used for killing worms can negatively affect your cat.
Additionally, the type of worm affecting your cat should properly be identified before you or your veterinarian try to treat it. Regular visits to the vet are also helpful to make sure your feline is parasite-free, especially when your cat is nursing kittens. Despite how troublesome they are, treating roundworms is relatively easy through oral medications like SENTRY Worm Away for Cats , which uses magnesium stearate to kill any roundworms present in your cat's system.
These capsules work over a period of weeks, with the slight possibility of requiring re-treatment. Occasionally, a portion of the tapeworm will be released when your dog vomits.
Tapeworms are not usually harmful, and dogs rarely become ill as a result of an infestation, but weight loss may occur if he is heavily infected. Have you ever wondered why your veterinarian asks you to do the unpleasant task of collecting and bringing in a fecal sample for an annual physical? The test will find out if tapeworms are in the anal sac or in the feces of your dog. False negatives can occur, but the tapeworm test is reliable, and most results are conclusive.
The prognosis for both animals and humans is very good post-treatment. A prescription drug called praziquantel is used to treat tapeworms, either orally or by injection. The medication causes the tapeworm to dissolve within the intestine. The drug generally does not have adverse side effects. Other medications that are effective at removing tapeworms include chewables, granuals that are sprinkled on food, and tablets. There are also combination parasite medications that treat tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm in one.
And before using any over-the-counter medication on your own, consult with your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment options. The best way to avoid a tapeworm infestation is to keep your dog free of flea infestation. The surrounding environment must also be treated to prevent recurring infestations.
The CDC recommends these steps to reduce the likelihood of tapeworm infestation:. Note: This article is designed to help inform you about tapeworms in dogs and is not meant to take the place of a veterinary diagnosis or consultation.
If you think your dog might have tapeworms or any parasite, contact your vet right away to set up an appointment for an examination and to ensure that your dog receives the safest and most effective treatment.
Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Back to Medicines A to Z. It is used mainly for infections of the gut such as threadworms sometimes known as pinworms and other less common worm infections whipworm, roundworm and hookworm.
You can buy mebendazole from a pharmacy. It's also available on prescription. It comes as chewable tablets or a liquid that you swallow. Younger children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years must be prescribed this medicine by a doctor. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell a pharmacist or doctor if you:.
Mebendazole comes as a banana-flavoured liquid and orange-flavoured tablets that can be chewed or swallowed whole. A doctor or pharmacist will tell you how much you should take depending on the type of worms you have. If you have threadworms also called pinworms you will usually take a single dose. If you live with anyone else, they will need to be treated at the same time because threadworms can spread easily. A doctor or pharmacist may suggest you repeat the dose after 2 weeks to prevent you from getting them again.
This is because the medicine kills the worms but not their eggs. Usually you need to take a dose 2 times a day for 3 days. The tablet can be chewed or swallowed whole with a glass of water, juice or milk.
You can take it with or without food. The liquid comes with a spoon to measure it. If you don't have a spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it won't give you the right amount.
If you are taking mebendazole 2 times a day and you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you remember more than 4 hours after your dose was due, skip the missed dose and just take your next dose as normal.
It happens rarely but it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to mebendazole. These are not all the side effects of mebendazole.
For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. Mebendazole isn't usually recommended for the treatment of threadworms during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
However if you have another worm infection such as roundworm or hookworm, you should speak to a doctor to discuss the best way to treat this. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, it is usually considered better to try to treat threadworms without taking a medicine. It's important to:. There might be a problem with taking some herbal remedies and supplements together with mebendazole.
Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice. Tell a doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. Mebendazole kills worms that cause gut infections such as threadworm sometimes known as pinworm and other less common worm infections whipworm, roundworm and hookworm. It works by stopping the worms using sugar glucose.
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