Can a pregnant cat be given deworming tablets?

Ways of infecting a cat with worms

Unfortunately, helminths in pregnant cats are very common. They affect not only cats that move freely on the street, but also those who do not leave the house.

There are several main ways cats become infected with worms:

Food. Worm eggs can enter the body of a pregnant pet along with raw or undercooked meat or fish, as well as poorly washed fruits and vegetables.
Water. The source of worm infection can be water from springs or other bodies of water. In rare cases, parasites can be contracted even through tap water.
Human. Of course, all cat owners go outside and can bring worm eggs on their clothes or the soles of their shoes.
Other animals. Infection can occur during mating, as well as if an already pregnant cat comes into contact with other animals that have free access to the street.
Soil from pots with indoor flowers. Most cats love to dig in flower pots. Even soil that was purchased in a store can become a source of infection with internal parasites.
Sand from a tray. Some owners, in order to save money, use ordinary street sand as a filler for the cat litter box. Very often, because of this filler, cats become infected with worms.
Insects. Absolutely all domestic representatives of the cat family have a weakness for midges, flies and other insects and will not miss the opportunity to hunt for them. Sometimes such prey can be a source of helminth infection. In addition, fleas are considered the main carriers of worms, so it is very important to regularly carry out procedures to rid your pets of these insects.

Preventive measures

To prevent a cat from becoming infected with worms before pregnancy, owners must prepare for mating. Simple rules eliminate the possibility of infection of a pet:

regular deworming - last time 1-2 weeks before mating;
the cat invited for mating must also be non-infectious;
avoid mating with homeless and stray animals;
do not feed your cat raw meat, water, or rodents;
regularly treat the fur with flea repellents;
clean bedding, furniture, carpets, food bowls;
periodically bathing the cat, walking with a flea collar.

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Signs of helminthiasis

You can suspect the presence of internal parasites based on the following external symptoms:

What is the danger of having parasites in the body?

Worms cause significant harm to the weakened body of a pregnant cat. They injure the intestinal walls, leading to blood loss, which increases the risk of infection with various viruses. Internal parasites also cause hypovitaminosis, anemia and exhaustion in pregnant cats.

The waste products of worms lead to intoxication of the body and disruption of the functioning of almost all vital organs.

For unborn kittens, they are dangerous due to the following consequences:

Intrauterine infection with nematodes (roundworms). This type of internal parasite is considered one of the most common. Their larvae are able to penetrate the placenta and infect babies in the womb. With this infection, kittens are born very small. Subsequently, they are likely to be stunted and may even die within a month.

Important! Such worms pose a threat to the life of a pregnant cat only if their number has reached a critical level.

Infection with helminths through mother's milk or saliva. Most often, nematodes penetrate the mammary glands and saliva of a pregnant cat. After birth, babies lick worms from their mother's nipples. In addition, a cat can infect her kittens when she licks them.

This type of helminthic infestation usually does not pose a threat to the life of kittens, but the lag in growth and development from their healthy peers will be significant.

Why are helminthiasis dangerous?

Worms in a pregnant cat most often do not have a serious impact on the life and health of the animal, as well as the offspring. Direct intrauterine infection of embryos from the mother does not occur. In rare cases, as a result of a sharp excess in the number of larvae and adults, sad consequences are observed:

premature birth, miscarriages;
intrauterine fetal death;
congenital developmental pathologies of kittens;
intoxication of the mother's body;
anemia, decreased cat immunity.

The danger comes from the waste products of worms, which poison the host’s body. Growing colonies of parasites interfere with the normal nutrition of the pregnant cat and kittens. They do not receive enough nutrients, which can affect their physical performance (they are born premature, weakened, and developmentally delayed).

On a note!
Most often, kittens become infected from an infected mother immediately after birth. With milk, through licking and close physical contact, eggs, larvae and adult worms pass to the offspring.

When deworming a pregnant cat is a necessity

Pregnant cats should be treated for worms if the presence of parasites prevents the cat from living and raising future offspring. The following dangerous signs of infection are identified:

no appetite;
noticeable deterioration in the animal’s condition;
the presence of helminths can be traced in the feces.

If your pet looks cheerful and healthy and eats well, then it is better to hold off on taking anthelmintics. Taking the drugs can cause miscarriage, and if kittens are born, they may have congenital deformities.

But even though antiparasitic drugs are dangerous, if the animal has a lot of helminths, you shouldn’t think about whether it’s possible to deworm a pregnant cat. For a cat, and especially for kittens, such a manifestation of the disease is unacceptable.

Although the last third of pregnancy is a time during which even a very infected cat should not be treated. During this period, the poison from the medicine and dead parasites will have the most detrimental effect on the fetus.

As already mentioned, anything can happen, and an animal can get sick while pregnant. But these are rare cases, and if, for preventive purposes, periodic deworming and deworming of the cat before mating are carried out, then this problem will most likely be avoided.

Important tip! If you have a purebred cat and are looking for a suitable cat to breed with, be sure to make sure that the partner you choose is also parasite-free.

Is it possible to treat a pregnant cat for worms: the use of medications and other means

Helminthiasis is a common disease in domestic animals. This condition is very dangerous and can cause various complications.

Often, after mating, a cat becomes infected with parasites, so many animal owners are interested in the question of whether it is possible to deworm a pregnant cat, what to do in this case, and how to properly carry out treatment during the period of gestation.

The answers to them can be found in this article.

Antihelminthic therapy for a pregnant cat

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of whether it is possible to deworm a cat during pregnancy. The decision is made by the veterinarian.

On the one hand, if you worm an animal in this position, it can cause dangerous consequences, including miscarriage. Toxic components included in many medications provoke birth defects in future offspring.

Pregnancy of an animal is a contraindication for taking a number of anthelmintic medications.

On the other hand, the presence of parasites in a cat’s body during pregnancy is considered a dangerous condition. Helminthiasis leads to various health problems in the animal and its offspring.

Experts say: if there are few parasites and the pet does not show signs of pathology, then anthelmintic therapy can be performed later.

When a cat suffers from worms, it is accompanied by pronounced symptoms, so treatment for helminthiasis is required urgently.

A pregnant cat is dewormed, but it is necessary to select means that are harmless to the animal. When antihelminthic therapy is required and how to carry it out, you need to find out from a specialist.

Symptoms of worms

With a small number of worms in the animal’s body, symptoms of helminthiasis may be absent.

If there are a large number of worms, then this condition is accompanied by the following symptoms:

loss of appetite;
changes in the color and concentration of feces;
vomit;
defecation disorder;
the occurrence of constipation or diarrhea;
grinding teeth in sleep;
breathing problems;
weight loss;
eye problems;
sleep disturbance;
dullness and hair loss;
the presence of mucus and blood in feces, traces of parasites;
lethargy of the pet.

With helminthiasis, the animal refuses to eat and loses interest in its favorite activities.

Worms in a cat's body weaken the immune system, making the animal susceptible to infections and colds.

These symptoms are considered dangerous and require immediate treatment. In addition, intoxication is possible, which provokes the death of kittens in the womb. An animal can die from a large number of parasites in its body.

Actions for helminthiasis

Therapy can be carried out at home, using special drugs that are safe for offspring, or the animal can be treated under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Anthelmintics are available that can be used during pregnancy . They must be given to your pet strictly as directed and in a certain dosage.

In the absence of symptoms indicating worms, treatment is postponed.

Features of anthelmintic during pregnancy

During cat pregnancy, antiparasitic therapy should be carried out following the following recommendations:

It is not allowed to deworm an animal in the first weeks after conception.
Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.
For therapy, drugs are selected whose use is not a contraindication for cat pregnancy.
Deworming is carried out if the animal exhibits pronounced symptoms of the presence of parasites.
An anthelmintic should not be given a few weeks before delivery.
Deworming tablets are used strictly for their intended purpose.

Before using any drug to get rid of parasites, the cat owner should consult a veterinarian.

What means can be used

You can give your cat anthelmintic drugs as follows:

Profender;
Drontal;
Paracide;
Dirofen.

These remedies will help get rid of helminths quickly and safely.

Effective drugs

It is good to treat with the following drugs:

Profender. This medicine can be used to treat a cat before mating. It can also be used several weeks before lambing. It is not recommended to give the drug to the animal just before delivery.
Drontal. Treatment with these tablets is carried out in the second half of pregnancy, 2 weeks before the expected date of birth.
Dirofen. It is a frequently prescribed drug for helminthiasis in cats. It should be used strictly according to the instructions.

These medications are effective against worms and cause virtually no adverse reactions. No teratogenic effects on offspring were observed with their use.

These drugs do not kill kittens if used in appropriate doses.

Prohibited drugs

It is not allowed to give your cat the following antihelminthic medications during pregnancy:

Polyverkan;
Kanikquantel plus;
Prazitel.

These drugs have a teratogenic effect on the fetus and can lead to the death of kittens.

In the first half of pregnancy, the animal cannot be treated with the following drugs:

Dirofen;
Dodo and other products for which the instructions for use indicate pregnancy as a contraindication.

Possible consequences for offspring

The use of anthelmintics can have a negative effect on the offspring. This is explained by the fact that the drugs are poisonous not only to parasites, but also to future kittens.

In some cases, treatment can lead to the death of kittens in the womb. This usually happens when illegal drugs are used .

Miscarriage in a cat is another dangerous consequence of antiparasitic therapy.

Rarely, offspring may be born with any abnormalities and deformities.

When is it better to refrain from using medications?

There are periods when deworming a pet is strictly prohibited.

These include:

three weeks after mating;
fourteen days before the expected lambing date.

Veterinarians consider the optimal period for anthelmintic therapy to be 1.5 months after mating.

The danger of worms during pregnancy

Parasites in an animal’s body cause a weakening of the immune system, so the offspring may be born weak and sick. Most often, kittens are born with inflamed and purulent eyes.

Prevention measures

To reduce the risk of infection, the following preventive measures must be observed:

Carry out anthelmintic therapy regularly.
Do not give your animal raw meat and fish.
Avoid eating the feces of other animals.
Perform periodic veterinary examinations.
Before mating, give anti-worm medication.
Thoroughly clean objects that the cat frequently comes into contact with (trays, bowls).

It is possible to deworm a pregnant animal. But this should be done in exceptional cases, when a large number of parasites threaten the life and health of the cat and its offspring.

Antihelminthic treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian, who prescribes drugs that are not contraindicated for the animal during this period.

Source: https://nashakisa.ru/razvedenie/mozhno-li-glistogonit-beremennuju-koshku.html

How to treat worms in a pregnant cat

It is impossible to identify worms in a pregnant cat on your own, because... multiple symptoms of helminthiasis can easily be mistaken for vitamin deficiency, chronic intoxication or allergies.

It is not recommended to treat helminthic infestations at home without consulting a specialist. In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, the formation of the kittens’ nervous system occurs, and the use of various medications by the animal can cause irreparable harm.

If you suspect a disease, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian who will conduct a professional examination of your pet, after which the following diagnostic tests will be prescribed:

stool and urine analysis;
clinical blood test;
blood chemistry.

Only in a veterinary clinic can an accurate diagnosis be made and an effective treatment prescribed. If the parasites identified by the doctor do not pose any threat to the health of the mother cat and her kittens, measures to eliminate them can be postponed until the birth of the offspring. If laboratory tests show that the cat is infected with helminths, the larvae of which are able to penetrate the placental barrier, treatment cannot be avoided in the 2nd trimester.

Treatment should be started if the following symptoms are present:

lack of appetite;
lethargy;
dull coat;
presence of helminths in feces.

If your four-legged friend feels good, behaves cheerfully and actively, there is no need to take risks, because... the use of certain drugs can result in premature birth or the development of pathologies in kittens.

How does a cat become infected?

The effect of parasitic worms on pregnant cats is comparable to a viral disease in terms of the severity of the consequences on the body. However, in this case everything is much worse.

Therefore, it is you, as the owner, who will have to give the cat anthelmintic. In extremely advanced cases, when the concentration of parasites in the body reaches a critical level, if it is not wormed in time, the pet may die from intoxication of the substances secreted by the worms.

So it is extremely important to observe the behavior of your pet and notice the slightest oddities. If you have any suspicions about a possible parasite infection, do not delay; in this case, deworming is the very first thing to do.

At first, damage by parasitic worms resembles an infectious disease. So don’t get carried away with medications if you are not 100% sure that your pet has worms.

What signs indicate the presence of worms in a cat’s body:

upset stomach (sudden diarrhea or constipation);
Constant vomiting;
Darkening of feces;
Weight loss (the cat eats poorly and literally melts before our eyes);
Presence of blood and mucus in the stool;
Labored breathing; the pet makes sniffling/sniffling sounds;
High fatigue, lethargy, weakness, loss of interest in active games;
A sharp decrease in appetite, followed by insatiable hunger;
Bloating;
The presence of helminths in feces;
Tearfulness, suppuration of the eyes, blurred vision;
Decreased immunity;
Dulling and hair loss;
In more advanced cases, seizures occur.

It is necessary to treat worms in a pregnant cat, otherwise the parasites can cause premature birth.

The body of a pregnant cat is already very susceptible to unfavorable factors, and helminths can even more so undermine not only her health, but also jeopardize the survival (development) of the offspring. For more effective disposal, you need to know how to remove worms correctly.

Typically, the signs of the presence of helminths in the body are very similar to an infectious disease. Therefore, it is not recommended to carry out treatment without consulting a veterinarian. Here are some symptoms that indicate the presence of worms in a cat's body:

constipation or diarrhea;
the appearance of vomiting;
dark stool;
weight loss;
there is blood or mucus in the stool;
hard breath;
the cat gets tired quite quickly, lethargic, weak;
there is a decrease or increase in appetite;
cough;
bloating in the abdominal area;
the appearance of helminths in feces;
the appearance of seizures (more severe form);
A pregnant cat may go into premature labor.

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Parasites that cause helminthiasis are always present in the environment (grass, soil, road, street dust). It is worth noting that even a domestic cat, without being outside, can become infected with worms. Parasites can enter the house through clothing and shoes. In addition, sometimes a cat becomes infected in other ways:

through food (raw meat, fish, tap water);
blood-sucking skin parasites can become carriers;
during contact with other sick animals;
through objects on which there are parasite eggs;
when eating the excrement of sick cats.

Quite often, a cat becomes infected already during pregnancy, and even those pets who receive maximum care are not immune from this. Infection can occur in several ways:

by consuming raw or undercooked fish or meat;
unfiltered water may contain eggs and larvae of various worms;
contact with an infected animal can also lead to the ingestion of worms;
if there are several cats in the house, prevention and treatment must be carried out simultaneously, otherwise the animals can become infected from each other;
a cat can become infected from a person if he has been in contact with stray animals;
If a pregnant cat walks outside, she can bring worms on her fur or on her paws if hygiene is insufficient.

In order to prevent infection, it is necessary to adhere to several rules:

a pregnant cat needs to be provided with improved care, including timely bathing;
nutrition should be balanced and not include raw foods, as well as meat products;
It is recommended not to let the cat go outside;
completely eliminate contact with stray animals.

Means for getting rid of worms

There are many drugs in the veterinary anthelmintic drug arsenal. This is due to the variety of forms and types of existing parasites. Many medicinal drugs have a wide spectrum of action, having a detrimental effect on several types of worms at the same time. The most widely used drugs are:

Polyverkan,

Prazitel,

Febtal,

Kanikquantel Plus,
Dirofen.

Among this variety, the owner is often lost and does not know what anti-worming pills can be given to a pregnant cat.

Not all anthelmintic drugs can be used for a pregnant animal. The fact is that many medicinal substances themselves have a toxic effect on embryos and fetuses. Thus, Prazitel, Polyvercan, Kanikvantel-plus are under no circumstances used to treat pregnant females for worms. These drugs have embryotoxic and teratogenic effects (lead to impaired development and death of embryos and fetuses). Dirofen and drontal should not be given to a cat in the first half of pregnancy, but can be used in the second half. No later than three weeks before birth, you can use Helmimax-4.

If worms are detected at the beginning of pregnancy, then Milbemax will be a safe drug in this case. In addition to tablets, anthelmintics are widely used in the form of drops on the withers. Profender can be used in pregnant animals.

A veterinarian can recommend an effective and safe deworming remedy for a pregnant cat in a particular case. Deworming of a pregnant pet is best done under the supervision of a specialist. When processing independently, special attention should be paid to compliance with the instructions for use of a particular drug.

Before giving a tablet, suspension or using drops on the withers, the animal must be weighed and the required amount of medicine calculated. Under no circumstances should an overdose be allowed. For a pregnant cat, this can result in miscarriage or fetal pathology.

After treatment for worms, objects with which the animal comes into contact should be disinfected. Particular attention should be paid to the food bowl, water and tray.

Worms in a pregnant pet are a dangerous phenomenon both for the health of the expectant mother and for the normal development of kittens. If a helminthic infestation is suspected, a comprehensive study should be carried out and the type of parasites identified. A veterinarian can advise what to give a pregnant cat against worms, taking into account the stage of pregnancy, the type of helminths found, and the degree of infection of the body. The owner must understand that it is necessary to treat the expectant mother for worms. And so that deworming does not harm the health of either her or her offspring, you should choose the right drug and follow the instructions for its use.

What drugs should I use?

Not every anthelmintic drug is suitable for a pregnant cat.
This is mainly due to the toxic effect of certain drugs on embryos. For example, such drugs as “Kaniquantel plus”, “Polivercan”, “Prasitel” are prohibited from using for deworming a pregnant cat, since these drugs have been shown to have teratogenic and embryotoxic effects, causing developmental disorders and death of embryos. Some products, such as Drontal and Dirofen, are approved for use in the second half of pregnancy, but no later than six weeks after mating.

Profender - this drug can be used to anthelminate a pregnant cat from the very beginning of mating, but no later than three weeks before lambing.

There are several types of drugs that are used to treat pregnant females for worms. They are divided into:

preventive, which have a fairly mild effect, but have a wide spectrum of action and, basically, prevent the spread of eggs throughout the body and their hatching;
light preparations for safe deworming, which have a sufficiently mild effect, they can be given not only to cats, but also to kittens after birth;
drugs that have a complex effect, which have a fairly strong effect, but do not in any way affect the development of the fetus and the general condition of the pregnant cat.

For this purpose, you need to use special drugs for pregnant animals and small kittens, for example, the drug Milbemax in a low dosage form. It is used for kittens from 6 months. It can also be used for nursing cats, but not earlier than 20 days after the birth of kittens. There are also other means that, according to the instructions, can be used from an even earlier age:

Profender is a solution for external use that can be used from 8 weeks of age;
Kanikquantel - used for kittens already when they reach 4 weeks of age, has a wide spectrum of action, but it is difficult to guess the dosage (a tablet is for 10 kg of weight), and also for pregnant cats to choose something else;
Febtal - can be taken from 3 weeks, but must be given for 3 days in a row;
Trontil K is also acceptable from 3 weeks of age, but only once. This is also a good remedy for pregnant cats, given no earlier than 2 weeks before lambing.

Deworming medications for a pregnant cat

When deworming a pregnant cat, which is recommended to be carried out no earlier than 6 weeks, the veterinarian must select the appropriate therapy, taking into account the following nuances:

gestational age;
degree of damage;
pet's condition.

All anti-parasite products are classified as toxic substances. But how to give anti-worm tablets if they poison the helminths in the cat’s body, causing the following side effects in four-legged animals:

change in blood picture;
intestinal disorder.

To minimize the toxic effects of medications, it is necessary to choose gentle medications. Drugs that negatively affect the development of the fetus and can lead to its death include:

Vermidin;
Milbemax.

Antihelminthic therapy for a pregnant cat

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of whether it is possible to deworm a cat during pregnancy. The decision is made by the veterinarian.

Pregnancy of an animal is a contraindication for taking a number of anthelmintic medications.

On the other hand, the presence of parasites in a cat’s body during pregnancy is considered a dangerous condition. Helminthiasis leads to various health problems in the animal and its offspring.

When a cat suffers from worms, it is accompanied by pronounced symptoms, so treatment for helminthiasis is required urgently.

Safe veterinary drugs

If it is necessary to deworm a pregnant cat, it is better to use the medical product Drontal. Its dosage depends on weight, so for purrs with a body weight of 4 kg, 1 tablet is prescribed once. medications. If desired, the treatment is repeated. It is better to feed Drontal not in the evening, but in the morning during breakfast, mixing the pill into food. Another safe medicine for pregnant females is Profender, which is suitable from the first days of pregnancy, but is not permissible in the last month of gestation.

It is important for cat breeders to remember that during gestation, especially during anthelmintic therapy, purrs need maintenance therapy more than ever. An effective medication, Calcidi, which is a vitamin and mineral supplement consisting of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. The medical product is useful during pregnancy because it eliminates stress conditions, prevents abnormal bone development and generally improves the health of the cat.

Features during pregnancy

Manufacturers of anthelmintic drugs do not recommend using them on pregnant or lactating animals. The point is not that this will affect the effectiveness of the drug (on the contrary, it will be just as effective), but rather because of side effects that in utero can negatively affect the offspring.

In emergency situations, when treatment can no longer be delayed, it is simply necessary to deworm the pregnant cat. Then you need to know when, at what time and under what circumstances it should be done most correctly.

Do not neglect visiting a specialist, because only he can advise on the safest and best way to get rid of parasites. The most favorable time is considered to be approximately 40 days after pregnancy (3rd trimester).

Remember that it is a priori unsafe to deworm a pregnant cat, since anthelmintics are antiparasitic poisons whose purpose and active action are aimed at destroying worms.

And, often, they work effectively, but this certainly affects the condition of developing kittens, and not in the most positive way (up to the formation of mutations and the appearance of other abnormalities). Once in the body, the product begins to actively destroy adult parasites and their eggs located in the animal’s digestive system.

It is recommended to take antihelminthic drugs in two stages. The second portion is always taken after 2 weeks, since there is a possibility that not all eggs will be destroyed - new parasites that are not yet able to reproduce will hatch from them.

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Tablets and suspensions

Lovers of furry four-legged friends often wonder what to do if a pregnant cat has worms, and how to deal with them so as not to cause harm. There are many remedies, and among them a special place is occupied by tablets, which have great advantages due to the following nuances:

are produced based on weight, so it is not difficult to determine the dosage of the drug;
the medicine can be mixed with food or water;
many products are produced with the taste of meat and fish;
No special conditions are required for storing tablets.

Before using the drug in tablet form, you must weigh your pet to determine the exact dosage. An overdose can cause side effects in an animal such as:

vomit;
diarrhea;
bloody feces;
apathy;
copious secretion of saliva.

To get rid of worms, you can give your pets the following tablets:

Gelmimax-4;
Trontsil-K;
Dirofen.

The suspension is always equipped with a dispenser. In the absence of this, the suspension can be given to the cat using a syringe. The required amount of suspension is drawn into a dispenser or syringe. The animal needs to be placed on your knees, calmed, open its mouth and pour the product onto the root of the tongue. If this fails, the drug should be mixed with food.

There are several types of anti-worm suspensions:

Prazitel;
Prazicide Plus;
Dirofen;
Dironet;
Febtal combo;

Drops

Unlike tablets and suspensions, the drops contain 3 active ingredients, and therefore this drug has a wider spectrum of action. They destroy not only the parasites themselves, but also their larvae and eggs.

Drops are applied to those areas where the pet cannot reach:

between the shoulder blades;
on the upper or middle back;
at the withers;
at the base of the head.

It is strictly forbidden to apply this product if there are wounds or scratches on the animal’s body.

There are several drops to combat worms:

Inspector Total;
Droncite;
Profender;
Bars Spot-On;
Advocate.

Folk remedies

Few owners of four-legged pets know how to poison worms using unconventional methods, but their correct use is safe, non-toxic and harmless to the animal and its offspring. Among the most common folk methods of fighting worms are:

Pumpkin seeds. Grind 5 g of the raw product and then add it to the animal’s feed. The procedure must be repeated within a week.
Onion. The vegetable needs to be cut into 4 parts and pour 1 tbsp. warm water. The infusion should be given to the cat on an empty stomach for 7 days.
Wormwood tincture. You need to give your cat alcohol tincture 2 times a day. She should be given at least 10 drops at a time. Feeding is possible only an hour after the procedure.
Tansy flowers. 5 g of the plant should be poured into 200 ml of boiling water. The resulting mixture is infused for 1 hour. The pet must be fed with the strained ready-made product 2-3 times a day from a syringe for 1 week.

Prevention

Helminthic infestation in animals is excluded by careful adherence to preventive measures:

It is recommended to give antihelminthic drugs to your pet every 3 months. This will not cause harm to the animal’s body, because drugs are given in small doses.
Meat and fish products should be excluded from the cat’s diet, and drinking water should be settled or boiled.
It is recommended to protect your pet from contact with street animals.
Regular treatment of the animal's sleeping place and its tray with special anti-worm products will protect your pet from parasites.
It is recommended to regularly clean the room where the cat lives using chlorine-based products.

Preventative measures to protect a pregnant cat from helminths are important because... During this period, there is a high probability of intrauterine transmission of parasites to kittens.

The main task of the owners is to worm the cat in order to protect it from parasites, preserve the health of the offspring and ensure its full development. And in order to avoid the harm of deworming, the drugs must be chosen correctly and the instructions must be strictly followed.

Deworming tablets for cats: how to give medicine, remedy, drops on the withers, preparations and reviews

Cats have become a part of human life since ancient times. They live in our houses, they meet us on the street, in the entrances, anywhere. Few people will remain indifferent to these furry animals. Children especially love to stroke and feed pussy, often forgetting to wash their hands afterwards, not attaching much importance to the consequences of such communication with a street animal.

Symptoms of helminthic infestation in cats
What are the types of helminthiases in cats?
How to deworm cats
How and what medications to give cats?
Conclusion

Meanwhile, cats can very often be infected with various worms, some of which are dangerous to humans. Stray animals have a much greater chance of getting sick, helminth eggs are everywhere in the environment, the kitten receives worms from the mother during childbirth or during the first feeding, and some newborns die from massive infestation of worms.

Helminth infections cause great damage to the animal's body, they reduce immunity, disrupt metabolism, increase allergic mood, cause mechanical damage to organs with the development of inflammation and even rupture of the intestines or gall bladder. The clinical picture is especially pronounced in kittens; adult animals have more hidden symptoms. The main signs of helminthic infestation:

lack of weight gain, even weight loss with preserved appetite, sometimes appetite may be reduced or distorted;
lethargy, refusal to play;
dull, dry hair without shine, prone to falling out; if you take the kitten by the withers, then there will be fur left in your hands;
pallor or yellowness of mucous membranes;
the kitten crawls with its butt on the floor due to severe itching;
frequent diarrhea, which may be mixed with mucus and blood;
larvae or whole worms are visible in the stool;
constantly “flowing eyes”, sometimes coughing.

If one or more of these symptoms is detected in a pet, it must be shown to a veterinarian, who will conduct the necessary examination to clarify the diagnosis, prescribe treatment using the drugs that are suitable for your animal (tablets, drops on the withers or suspensions), and teach how to properly give medicine for the cat.

More than 30 types of parasites have been identified that are common to cats and people. Cats are susceptible to nematodes, cestodes and trematodes, the first two types being especially common. Nematodes (infection with roundworms) include:

Toxascariasis - the causative agent is parasites about 3 cm long that live in the intestines, sometimes in the gallbladder and liver. Infection of a kitten occurs from the mother during childbirth or through the digestive system; with massive infestation, the cat loses weight with a normal appetite, there may be vomiting and diarrhea with blood. Adult cats are often asymptomatic, and newborn kittens can die due to intestinal obstruction. Treatment is carried out with pyrantel, fembendazole;
Hookworm is a small, hook-shaped parasite that enters the body either with food, or the larvae penetrate the bloodstream through the skin, the adults live in the intestines, feed on blood, causing anemia in the animal. Cats eat poorly, lose weight, are bothered by coughing, vomiting and bloody stools; they must be treated with the same medications (see above);
Dirofilariasis is a roundworm that affects the circulatory system and heart of an animal, is transmitted by the bites of mosquitoes, fleas and other insects, is very severe, and can lead to death due to thrombosis. Treatment with Selamectin (drops on the withers) is effective.

The next type of worms is cestodiasis (diseases caused by tapeworms):

Diphyllobothriasis is a long worm up to one and a half meters in cats; infection occurs when eating raw freshwater fish from the carp family. Parasites live in the small intestine, damaging the mucous layer and can cause obstruction. The cat does not eat well, the fur becomes dull, even falls out, often vomiting and diarrhea with blood; with prolonged infection, anemia, dystrophy, intestinal blockage, and convulsions develop. Treatment is carried out with “Praziquantel”, “Fenasal”, “Fenalidon”;
Dipylidia (cat tapeworm) is a worm in the form of a cucumber seed, up to 30 cm long, a cat becomes infected by ingesting a flea or lice eater from its fur, which are the intermediate hosts of the parasite. The tapeworm settles in the intestines, causing mechanical damage to the mucous layer. The cat loses appetite and weight, becomes lethargic, apathetic, often has diarrhea and vomiting. Drugs for treatment - Praziquantel, Scoloban, Fenasal;
Tenidosis (alveococcosis is more common in cats) – small worms 1-2 mm, cats become infected by eating intermediate hosts with parasite larvae (mice, rats). Alveococci live in the small intestine, practically without causing symptoms in the animal, but for humans it is an extremely dangerous disease that affects various organs, where cysts with parasites are formed inside. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by stool tests. Treatment is carried out with the drugs “Fenasal”, “Cetovex”, “Filixan”.

Of the trematodes, the most common helminthiasis is opisthorchiasis - the causative agent of the cat fluke or liver fluke. Infection occurs by eating raw fish. Parasites live in the liver, clinging to it with suction cups, damaging the tissue, and can live in the bile system and pancreas.

Characteristic signs of the disease are:

abdominal pain;
vomiting with bile contents;
the appetite is sometimes perverted (reduced or increased), the cat can greedily swallow food that is unusual for it, the mucous membranes become yellow.

If there is a suspicion that a cat has worms, treatment should be carried out as quickly as possible, without delaying a visit to the veterinarian for a long time, because the appearance of clinical symptoms indicates that the pet already has a lot of parasites. Deworming medications for cats are quite widely available in animal pharmacies; they should not be confused with medications for humans.

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First of all, fleas and other external parasites that carry worms should be removed.

For this there are:

special shampoos with an insecticidal effect, they are optimal for cats who love to bathe. Advantages – they are washed well with water, animals will not be poisoned;
special-purpose collars impregnated with insecticide are good for two or three weeks. Disadvantage – allergic skin irritation, ideal for cats walking outside;
drops from parasites, which are applied to the pet’s withers (the most famous are “Leopard”), the fleas are poisoned and leave the body. Treatment of this kind is convenient and low-toxic for the animal if there is no allergy; a new weakly toxic drug of combined action “In-Up complex” has been developed, effective against fleas, ticks, cestodiases and nematodes at the same time, also available in the form of drops on the withers, its protection period is up to 2 months.

Deworming of cats is carried out for preventive and therapeutic purposes using various means; modern drugs usually have a combined composition, are low-toxic and effective for all types of helminthiasis in domestic animals. For the first time, kittens are given medicine against parasites at the age of three weeks for the purpose of prevention, repeated again a month later.

Heartworms should be treated every three to six months, as advised by your veterinarian. You must remember to give an anthelmintic two weeks before vaccination. For babies, drugs are produced in the form of a suspension with a dispensing syringe, for example, Prazitel, which contains pyrantel and praziquantel, is taken at the rate of 1 ml per kilogram of the kitten’s weight. This drug has very good reviews from both veterinarians and animal owners.

In addition, kittens and adult cats can be given tablets:

Drontal is a four kg tablet that can be crushed;
Febtal – one tablet per three kg of live weight;
Caniquantel plus - 1 tablet per ten kg of weight, as well as Caniverm, Milbemax, etc.

All drugs are broad-spectrum; it is recommended to give the cat the medicine once in the morning on an empty stomach without using laxatives.

The tablet or part of it should be dissolved in water and inserted into the animal’s mouth using a syringe without a needle, it is important to make sure that a sip is taken. You can give an adult cat the opportunity to swallow the medicine in a piece of fish or meat, with minced meat or porridge, that is, with its favorite food. It is very convenient to treat your pet with deworming agents, released as drops on the withers. Usually they have a complex action against external and internal parasites at once.

Among the domestic products, the “In-Up complex” has already been mentioned. The imported medicine “Stronghold” has proven itself well, it is safe and effective in cats of all breeds, it helps get rid of fleas, ticks, roundworms, especially with dirofilariasis in cats.

The active ingredient is selamectin. One drop applied to the withers is enough, it dries quickly, has no odor, and after two hours the animal can be bathed. Absorption occurs through the skin into the animal’s circulatory system and spreads throughout the body, where the therapeutic concentration is maintained for up to a month.

Reviews about the drug are the most positive: it is convenient to treat a cat, you don’t have to think about how to give the drug, there are no side effects, application to the withers is painless for the animal, the effectiveness is high when nematodes are combined with the presence of external parasites.

Proper treatment is not only about giving the cat tablets or drops on the withers, it is necessary to protect it from re-infection, do not feed it raw fish or meat, bathe it on time and watch for the appearance of fleas or ticks, keep the litter box clean, and do not leave dirty outdoor shoes in reach. for an animal place. If there is more than one pet in the house, then treatment should be carried out on all animals at the same time, and people must wash their hands after interacting with their pet.

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Many owners, faced with a similar problem, ask themselves the question: how can they treat a pregnant cat?

In this situation, it is necessary to choose an effective remedy, which in turn will get rid of parasites and will not harm the kittens.

Experienced specialists recommend using Prazicide Plus for the treatment of helminthiasis. This drug has many significant advantages:

Safety. During pregnancy, treatment for parasites should be safe and effective.
Effectiveness of action.
Destruction of all known parasites (round and tape) regardless of the stage of development (eggs, larvae, mature individuals).
Convenient use. The drug is available in the form of tablets and suspension. It is most convenient to give the drug as a suspension with a special syringe that comes in the package.
Affordable price.

Is it possible to worm a nursing cat?

Your cat recently gave birth and is now actively nursing kittens. Everything is fine, but it turns out that the pet has worms. What to do and is it possible to worm a cat nursing kittens? It’s worth starting right away with the main thing: pets who have recently given birth should absolutely not undergo antiparasitic treatment. You need to wait at least a month after giving birth, and ideally six weeks. And then, this should be done only if the number of parasites in the animal’s body directly affects the cat’s health.

But even in this case, do not rush to remove worms from a nursing cat. It would be better if you consult a veterinarian about this issue first.

Cat giving birth
How to give a cat a deworming tablet
Deworming tablets for cats and kittens

Immediate deworming

This option is usually chosen if the kittens are stunted in growth and development, and their mother has symptoms of intoxication or other diseases that were caused by the presence of worms in the body.

If the owners can feed the babies on their own, then any suspensions and tablets for deworming can be used to deworm the cat. In addition to transferring to artificial feeding, kittens must be isolated from their mother for 2472 hours until the active substances of the anthelmintic drug are completely eliminated from the body.

If the owners do not have the opportunity to feed the kittens without the participation of the mother cat, it is better to use folk remedies for deworming:

garlic;
pumpkin seeds;
papaya;
parsley decoction.

Important! When expelling helminths using traditional methods, it is recommended to give the cat activated charcoal or Enterosgel daily. This will help reduce the negative consequences of intoxication of the body.

In addition, veterinarians advise using drops on the withers to deworm nursing pets. Stronghold, Frontline, and Advantage are considered the safest.

These drugs have a long-term effect (about a month), and the effect of their use occurs after 12 hours. In addition, they are water-based, so they do not leave marks on the wool and are absorbed very quickly.

Prevention measures

To reduce or prevent the risk of helminth infection, you need to regularly treat your pet for parasites every three months. Eliminate raw fish and meat from your diet. Only boiled and settled water is poured. Do not allow them to eat feces after other animals, protect them from contact with them.

Before mating, worming is mandatory. It is necessary to regularly clean objects with which the animal is constantly in contact (trays, bowls, toys). It is recommended to do cleaning with chlorinated solutions.

It is also recommended to use a remedy made from tansy inflorescences. Brew 5 g of crushed plant in a glass of boiling water for an hour. Then the product is filtered. Give the pet a syringe to drink (2-3 ml) three times a day. For prevention, procedures are carried out in a course of 3-4 days. However, during pregnancy such a remedy is prohibited. This may cause a miscarriage.

If there are no symptoms indicating the presence of worms, then treatment for worms is not carried out. Even the weakest drugs can become toxic to future kittens. But more often than not, taking illegal drugs causes the animal to miscarry.

The effect of the disease on the animal's body

It is impossible to protect your pet one hundred percent from helminth infection, but you can significantly reduce the risks by observing prevention and taking the following actions:

Regularly take your pet for examination to the veterinarian;
Periodically deworm;
Prevent and eliminate possible sources of helminth damage;
Minimize your cat’s “communication” with other people’s animals;
It is good to clean cat household items: bowls, tray.

Preventative care for your cat before pregnancy will protect not only her offspring, but also you in particular, from the risk of infection. If the cat nevertheless becomes pregnant while infected with worms, but this has not yet brought serious consequences to her health, postpone the procedure until later.

Also, refrain from deworming your cat during the period of feeding the litter, since the milk will certainly introduce toxic anthelmintic substances into the kittens’ fragile bodies, which can seriously harm their health.

Worms in a pregnant pet cannot be predicted based solely on observing the cat’s behavior.

People usually swallow invasive helminth eggs with food or poorly purified water. Initially, the parasites do not manifest themselves in any way. However, over time, a person develops dyspeptic symptoms, headaches and abdominal pain.

To remove parasites from the body, narrow- or broad-spectrum anthelmintics are usually used. When ingested, these drugs block the motor activity of worms, as a result of which the parasites die.

If secondary infections occur, then in addition to anthelmintics, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used. They must be taken in strictly regulated dosages, as they are highly toxic.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can resist almost any infection. Do antibiotics kill worms? Doctors say that broad-spectrum antibiotics are not able to remove parasites from the body.

Drugs of this type will be effective only if they are taken in conjunction with broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs. If you try to remove parasites only with the help of antibiotics, then you will not achieve a therapeutic effect.

However, some antibiotics belonging to the tetracycline series are able to fully resist parasites. For example, if a person has progressive amebiasis, then it is advisable to use 3-hydroxyquinoline derivatives.

Emetine exhibits activity against amoebas. This antibiotic has a wide spectrum of action. This medication is not commercially available because it is very toxic. The cost of Emetin ranges from 500 to 600 rubles.

It is worth noting that worms affect the cat’s body no less than ordinary viruses and bacteria. But unlike them, the body cannot independently cope with the source of the disease. Consequently, there is no immune response, since antibodies to eggs and adult parasites are not produced. If proper treatment is not given, the animal may die. Because of this, it is very important to monitor your cat's condition and know the symptoms of the disease.

It is worth noting that you cannot completely protect your cat from parasites, but you can really reduce the risk of infection by following preventive measures:

regular cat deworming;
Take your cat to the veterinarian once every six months;
eliminate sources of infection;
exclude raw meat, fish, and tap water from the diet;
protect the cat from other animals;
Clean your cat's things (tray, bowl, toys) regularly.

By following these rules, you can protect not only your cat, but also yourself.

Products for kittens

It is advisable that antihelminthic drugs for young cats be prescribed by a veterinarian. They must be safe, low-toxic and effective against parasites. It is not advisable to dilute the suspension or divide tablets intended for adult cats. Pet pharmacies have products intended specifically for kittens.

From the age of three weeks, babies are allowed to be given Drontal, Prazicide, Trontsil K, Kanikvantel for deworming. For five-week-old kittens, the deworming drug Profender is intended, with Milbemax for six-week-old kittens. When three months are reached, the permitted list is supplemented by Pratel, Febtal, Polyverkan, and Inspector.

Milbemax

Anthelmintic tablets for kittens contain milbemycin and praziquantel as active ingredients. Thanks to its complex action, the anthelmintic is effective in combating various parasites. The medicine belongs to the group of moderately dangerous and in recommended quantities is not toxic to a growing organism. To achieve an anthelmintic result, a kitten weighing 0.5-1 kg requires 1/2 tablet. The advantage of the drug is that it can be given to the kitten along with food without laxatives. The cost of Milbemax for kittens is from 150 rubles.

Poliverkan

The sweet anthelmintic drug is available in the form of sugar cubes weighing 8 grams each. The therapeutic effect is due to the combination of oxybendazole and niclosamide. Polyvercan is prescribed to young cats whose weight exceeds 1 kg. The dose consists of half a cube per 1-5 kg of animal weight. It is added to the kitten's food or dissolved in drinking water. For treatment purposes, the dose is repeated after 10 days. And then they give the pet a prophylactic dose once a quarter. The average price for sugar cubes, packaged in eight pieces, is 400 rubles.