Even if your cat does not go out, or goes out of the house rarely, its body can be infected by worms or other parasitic infections. In this review, you will find information on best worm meds for cats and on how to use them.
Worm infection is dangerous for health of cats and their owners. Some kinds of worms are perfectly adapted to life and thus they can live in an animal’s body, as well as in the human body.
Worms cause a great harm to the cat’s body: they suppress the immune system, affecting the metabolism and damaging the internal organs.
There are different types of worm meds for cats that can eliminate parasitic infection in the body of your pet. However, please note that medications intended for humans are not suitable for cats.
If you want to achieve worm meds for cats most effective results, it is necessary to diagnose the disease properly and timely. The symptoms of parasitic infection in cats are:
- Bloating
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Vomiting (sometimes bloody)
- Decreased appetite
- High body temperature
If your cat’s health was affected by parasitic infection, veterinarian should prescribe some drug treatment.
To cure worm infection in cats, veterinarian prescribes the prescription meds containing Bunamidine Hydrochloride and Dichlorvos active substances. Such worm meds for cats are available in the USA under the brand names Scolaban 400 and Task.
Scolaban tablets (by Intervet) can be used for the treatment of worm infections caused by Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis. To achieve maximum effect, cat should take Scolaban tablets before food intake.
You should give your cat the whole Scolaban (Bunamidine) tablet without crushing it. If you break, dissolve in water or mix the tablet with food, it may irritate the mouth mucosa and cause anxiety and discomfort for your cat.
Bunamidine-based worm meds for cats can be used for a repeated treatment or prophylaxis of worm infection. It is necessary to keep a two-week interval between the treatment courses.
Scolaban and other Bunamidine-containing pet meds are not prescribed for all kinds of worm infection.
If your cat was infected by round worms or hookworms (Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma tubaeforme) – then it must be prescribed with a medication, containing Dichlorvos insecticide. Popular worm meds for cats containing Dichlorvos are sold under the brands – Task (USA) and Atgard (Canada).
Over the counter worm meds for cats
You can buy OTC worm meds for cats containing one deworming agent, called N-butyl Chloride or two agents – Toluene and Dichlorophene in the USA and other countries of the globe. In the USA, such oral deworming meds are sold under the brand names Vermiplex, Anaplex and Sergeants
The U.S. suppliers of these worm meds for cats are the largest manufacturers of pet care products, such as Intervet, Strategic Veterinary and ConAgra. To increase the efficiency of oral therapy, veterinarian can prescribe topical worm meds for cats in addition to deworming capsules.
Please note that most prescription and OTC worm meds can be used in both cats and dogs. Such worm meds are recommended for all cats and dogs that often contact to each other.
Side effects of worm meds for cats
Modern worm meds for cats rarely cause side effects. Most side effects occur during the first 12-24 hours after the intake of deworming medication.
During drug therapy of worm infection, cats may develop the gastrointestinal side effects, such as: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and excessive salivation. Other side effects of worm meds for cats appear very rarely and usually do not cause any discomfort for pets.
Prophylaxis of worm infection
Once you finished using the worm meds for cats, you need to follow some simple recommendations that may help you to prevent the relapse of parasitic worm infection. For a successful prophylaxis of worm infection in cats, you need to:
- Clean up the cat litter box or tray regularly
- Never feed your cat with raw meat, fish or seafood
- Give your cat some Rx or OTC anti-worm meds once in 3-4 months