My cat has tapeworms. Can I use dog dewormer to treat them safely?

Hello and thank you for using pet coach. Tapeworms are typically treated with a drug known as praziquantel. The drug that we use at our Clinic to treat tapeworm is called drontal Plus. Only a single dose with drontal Plus is typically required. A follow-up dose 1-3 weeks after the initial treatment may be given if needed. I hope this helps! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any other questions or concerns that you may have. I am also available via consultation if needed

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Luna is having issues. You can treat for them concurrently, and I would recommend getting her dewormed to treat her tapeworms. Tapeworms come from ingestion of fleas, so I would also ensure that she doesn't have a flea infection as well. Good luck!

Drontal, either Plus or without, is only for removal of worms after your pet has contracted them, it does not prevent them from getting them. If your pet is at risk of picking them up, because they're outside or hunting, then a regular dose can be helpful. The 22.7 mg Drontal plus is labeled for both dogs and cats.

Hello Robert, my name is Dr. Elizabeth and I am happy to help. Great job on saving this Simba! In general, this a safe product with rare instances of adverse reactions. There is an over the counter dewormer for tapeworms called Bayer Tapeworm dewormer. It's also generally safe and has rare adverse reactions. To be extra careful, separate the doses of the medications by 3-4 days and give with food. I hope this helps and please feel free to check in any time.

Many deworming products are not recommended once pregnancy is established. Tapeworm medications, in particular, can be quite toxic. If you are concerned that your cat has parasites, I recommend that you take a fecal sample to your veterinarian for examination. Your vet can identify the eggs of any parasites your cat may have using a test called a fecal float exam. S/he can then prescribe the safest, most effective dewormer to use in a pregnant cat for that particular parasite.

The dewormer i usually recommend is called Drontal plus, bear in mind that unlike the flea/tick products, dewormers do not protect your dog from future infestation, it only kills the worms on spot. for fleas and ticks i usually recommend Bravecto tablet or Advantix spot on. all these medications are considered to be high quality and safe.

Puppies and kittens need a series of repeated deworming medications. And even if they have been dewormed, it is common for them to have other intestinal parasites since there are so many different types of parasites and they each require a specific type of deworming. What you are describing is likely tapeworms, so hopefully the tapeworm medication will work. I am including more information about tapeworms below. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951442 Since tapeworms are transmitted by fleas, you will also need to make sure that Ariel doesn't have fleas or she may have tapeworms again. I would also make sure that your veterinarian has checked a fecal sample on her to see if there are any other microscopic intestinal parasites that need to be treated, but may require a different type of dewormer. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.