Treatments for Worms in Cats

Isolating worm-infested cats prevents the spread of parasites.cat face image by Viktor Korpan from Fotolia.com

The most common type of worm affecting cats is the roundworm, according to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Other types of feline worm include hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms and stomach worms. Symptoms of feline worm infestations include chronic vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, coughing, anemia and malnutrition. Veterinarians can often detect worms in the cat’s feces. Feline worms are treatable but can be fatal in kittens if left untreated.

Heartworm Preventatives

Monthly heartworm preventatives are available by prescription and work to prevent fleas, heartworms, ear mites and certain worms in cats, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council. Heartworm preventative medications contain antiparasitics such as selamectin and pyrantel pamoate that also help prevent and treat feline intestinal worms. A veterinarian can advise on the correct use of these products to treat worms in cats.

Deworming products are available by prescription or over-the-counter. These products contain antiparasitic medications such as fenbendazole, febantel or piperazine that anesthetize the worm, forcing it to let go of its grip on the cat’s intestine and allowing the cat to pass the worm in its stool, according to veterinarians at Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles. Most cats require at least two or three deworming treatments to rid the intestine of all worms. Follow-up deworming treatments usually occur several weeks after the initial treatment to allow new worms in the cat’s bloodstream time to complete their migration.

Even when a cat is on deworming medication, it is possible for the cat to be reinfected. Cleaning and sanitizing the cat’s litter box, bed and living area helps prevent reinfection. Keep the infected cat away from other cats, especially in a multi-cat household, to prevent the spread of worms, advises Vet Info. Keep infected cats indoors to prevent the spread of worms to neighborhood cats.