How To Treat A Cat For Worms

Introduction

Cats are natural hosts for worms and although they may not be visible, there is a chance that your cat may already have them. These worms can cause severe problems in cats and can even lead to death. It is important to treat your cat quickly and properly to get rid of the problem before it becomes worse.

Talk to your vet.

Before you start treating your cat for worms, it’s important to talk with your vet. Your vet can help determine if your cat needs to be de-wormed and will tell you what to do about the worms that are present. If your veterinarian sends you home with medication, remember that most of these drugs are slow-acting and shouldn’t be given more than once a day.

Check for symptoms.

Symptoms of worms in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy and anemia. A change in appetite, a change in behavior and a change in coat are also possible symptoms.

If your cat has any of these symptoms it’s time to take them to the vet for a check-up.

Buy the right medication.

Buy the right medication.
Read the label before you buy.
Check to see if it has an expiry date, and make sure it will be effective in your situation.
Make sure you get the right dosage for your cat’s weight and age.
Choose a brand name that you trust, and make sure it’s not expired or past its best-by date. If the drugstore is out of stock, ask them when they expect to have more in stock (some stores keep track of this kind of thing).

Give medication properly.

If you have a cat and it needs medication for worms, make sure you read the instructions on the medication packaging. This will tell you how much to give and when to do so. It’s also important to make sure that your cat is eating and drinking normally before giving them medication for worms. If your cat is sick and vomiting, you may have to give them their meds more often than usual until they get back on their feet.

Test, test, and test again.

Before treatment, it’s crucial to get some concrete information about what kind of worms you’re dealing with. You can run your cat’s stools through a lab for a stool analysis to test for worms, but this takes time and money and isn’t always necessary. If you suspect your cat has worms, look at the signs:
The droppings are slimy or sticky
You see worm-like shapes in the cat’s vomit or poop
Your cat seems lethargic and doesn’t want to play or eat as much as usual because of an upset stomach (this is especially true if there’s no other explanation)

Know what you’re up against.

There are multiple types of worms that can infect cats, but the most common are roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. The following is a list of symptoms to look out for if you think your cat may have worms:

Your cat passing worm segments in their feces (these look like rice grains)
You see live or dead worms in their poop
You see blood in their stool (this could be from tapeworms)
They stop eating as much as usual, or they vomit food up soon after eating it (indicating possible stomach pain caused by parasites)

Getting rid of worms in a cat can be done by using medications that are available over the counter and by prescription.

Getting rid of worms in a cat can be done by using medications that are available over the counter and by prescription. There are two types of medications:

Over-the-counter products that can be purchased from your veterinarian or grocery store. They usually come as a liquid, tablet or powder form, or sometimes as a gel capsule. You may need to give it every day for one month, three months or all year long depending on what type of worm is infecting your pet.
Prescription medications (also known as “wormers”) which are given by mouth to kill any worms that might still remain in your cat’s body after treatment with an over-the-counter product has been completed (or even if no treatment was needed).

Conclusion

If your cat has worms we hope you’re able to help him get rid of them and be healthy again.