Tapeworm treatment options are available in the form of natural medications, vet prescribed medicines and homoeopathic remedies. Tapeworms are internal parasites that attach themselves to the intestinal lining in cats. If tapeworms aren’t eliminated from the body, they can cause intestinal blockage which leads to severe gastrointestinal problems.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Before administering any de-wormers to pets, it’s necessary to conduct a vet check and a fecal examination to diagnose the type of worm infection present in the cat. Pets suffering from tapeworms exhibit symptoms of loss of appetite, constipation and diarrhea. Cats may also suffer from tapeworms without exhibiting any visible symptoms. However, pet owners can detect tapeworms in cat feces as the worms release segments that contain tapeworm eggs which pass through the feces. The segments appear like tiny rice grains, capable of movement.
Treatment of Feline Tapeworms
There are several commercial medications that are effective towards tapeworm infections. It’s best to obtain a vet prescribed medication as cat’s that have weak immune systems or underlying conditions require specific medical care during the administration of de-wormers. Several medicines contain the active ingredient praziquantel that’s safe for use in cats over 6 weeks of age. Kittens infected with tapeworms should be treated with natural medicines that don’t weaken their bodies. Several pet owners also prefer to use natural or holistic treatments procedures due to the side effects of allopathic drugs experienced by their pets.
Natural and Homoeopathic Ingredients that Fight Tapeworms
- Wormwood
- Cloves
- Ruta Graveolens
- Garlic
- Cina 4
- Calcarea carbonica 200
- Neem
Commercial Natural Tapeworm Medication
- Homeo Pet Wrm Clear
- Newton Homeopathics Parasites
- Para Site DR
- Herbal Wormer
Effectiveness of Tapeworm Medication
Commercial formulas such as Tape Worm Tabs for cats contain active ingredients like praziquantel that eliminate tapeworms from the cat’s body by destroying the parasite’s skin internally. The worms are then disintegrated and removed through the feces. Although the treatment is fast and effective, it might have to be repeated as a second dose after one month to prevent re-infection. Commercial medications don’t agree with all pets and cause adverse reactions such as increased salivation, vomiting and diarrhea.
Benefits of Natural Medication
Although herbal remedies take longer to act on the pet, it’s relatively safe for use in young pets. Herbal remedies also clean the pet’s digestive tract and strengthen the lining to promote natural elimination of tapeworms. Products that contain neem work as parasite repellents and prevent the formation of bacterial infections in the cat’s intestine. Pet owners should obtain the appropriate dosage from the vet and follow given instructions for administration of herbal remedies. The response to herbal treatment varies in individual pets and some pets may take longer to eliminate tapeworms than others.
In addition to worming medicines, pet owners should follow adequate flea control methods. Most cats contract intestinal parasites through flea bites. Appropriate feces disposal methods and hygienic surroundings can reduce susceptibility to re-infection.