In the past, cat dewormers were oral medications that led to stress on the cat and the pet owner. Most cats hate to be held firmly and forced to ingest a medication. Pet owners deal with scratches. Plus, if the cat didn't take all the medication, you remain unsure that enough medicine was swallowed to kill off the worms. With a topical medication, avoid the hassle. Simply pet your cat and sneak the medication on the scruff of the neck while you cuddle.
The cat worm medication is available from veterinarians throughout the United States. You do need a prescription for it, so ask you vet about it.
Cat Worms that Profender Treats
Symptoms of parasitic worms include:
- Diarrhea
- Failure to thrive
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Once you know they are affecting your cat, deworm medications become necessary. The cat parasites cause anemia and dehydration if left untreated.
The cat worms that Profender treats are:
- Hookworms
- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
Each of these cat parasites grow in the cat's intestines and feast on nutrients the cat intakes. In addition, humans may contract the worms through contact with egg casings found in feces. It's important to protect your pets and your family from these troublesome cat worms.
Understanding How Profender Works
A mixture of Emodepside and Praziquantel, the cat medication enters through the hair follicles and travels to the intestines and liver. Emodepside and Praziquantel paralyzes the cat parasites causing them to lose their grip on the organ or intestinal lining. They die off and exit the body through the cat's feces.
Profender Dosing Instructions
The topical cat medication comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. It's important that you not use the topical solution on kittens under eight weeks of age or less than 2.2 pounds. Once your cat or kitten meets these guidelines, you should use the following dosages:
- Small - A 0.35 milliliter tube that is for kittens and cats between 2.2 and 5.5 pounds.
- Medium - A 0.70 milliliter tube for cats weighing 5.5 to 11 pounds.
- Large - A 1.12 milliliter tube for cats 11 to 17.6 pounds.
If your cat is heavier than 17.6 pounds, you will need to combine cat medication tubes to match the appropriate weight. For example, if your cat weighs 21 pounds, you would use a large tube and then a small tube to cover the extra 3.4 pounds.
Reapply the cat medication every 30 days.
Contraindications of the Cat Medication
When treating cat worms with the topical medication, it's important to keep your cat from licking that spot for at least one hour. Reactions in cats include:
- Alopecia
- Diarrhea
- Excessive licking and scratching the skin near the application site
- Excessive salivation and drooling
- Itching
- Lethargy
- Nervousness
- Tremors
Itching is the most common reaction and usually ends within a day. If your cat has heartworms, ask your veterinarian before applying the worming medication.
Pet owners must avoid touching the area. In rare occasions, contact with Profender caused swelling of the face, hands and tongue in humans. If this occurs, contact your physician.