Anti-worm medications for cats: names and types of drugs

Veterinary stores regularly stock a variety of deworming medications for cats and kittens. With a huge selection of suspensions, capsules, and tablets, even experienced veterinarians, much less ordinary cat owners, can be overwhelmed by the choice. In this article, we'll look at the best deworming medications for cats and the differences between them.

Where do cats get worms?

Even if we exclude the possibility that your cat walks outside, where it comes into contact with other animals, picks up food from the ground and drinks water from puddles, that is, comes into contact with various sources of infection parasites, then you can't be completely sure that your exemplary domestic cat is not a carrier of worms.

There are several ways in which a domestic cat can become infected with parasites:

• Raw meat can contain parasite cysts (larvae). Even though we feed our cats meat according to regulations, which means freezing it first, there's no absolute guarantee that all the larvae have died.
• We bring parasite larvae in from outside on our shoes, along with dust and dirt. And our pets walk around the house without slippers and use their tongues to maintain hygiene. Licking their paw pads can easily infect pets with worm cysts.
• Raw fish, a source of parasite infestation in cats, deserves special mention. Besides worms, fish contains a lot of phosphorus, which, when fed frequently, can sometimes lead to metabolic disorders in cats. Therefore, it's best to completely eliminate raw fish, especially freshwater fish, from your cat's daily diet.
• Fleas are carriers of some parasites. Therefore, if you discover fleas on your pet—and in the summer, this can happen even when the cat is indoors—you should administer anthelmintic medications along with flea treatment.
• Kittens often inherit worms from their mothers. Furthermore, kittens, like all children, constantly put everything in their mouths. And since all objects accessible to them at this age are on the floor, they easily become a source of worm infestation.

What harm do worms cause to cats?

• The waste products of parasites are quite toxic and poison their host's body daily. Worms secrete special substances called antienzymes, thus protecting themselves from digestion. This disrupts metabolic processes and damages the liver.
• Like all parasites, worms live off their host and rob the animal of some of the nutrients found in the food you so carefully prepare for your pet.
• Worms create a mechanical effect on the organs where they are located, since they are held in the body by a system of spines and suckers.
• Many species feed not only on cat food but also on the body's cells and tissues, including white blood cells. This leads to a weakened immune system in the infected pet.

Classification of antihelminthic drugs

Antihelminthic medications can be classified according to several criteria. For example, some kill only certain types of parasites (against cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes), some have a broader spectrum of action. Anthelmintic drugs also differ in their mechanism of action. Some drugs affect the worms' nervous system, while others disrupt the parasite's membrane, effectively burning its tissue. There are also antihelminthic tablets that paralyze the parasite's muscle fibers, rendering it immobile.

But even the most effective medications won't work if you don't know how to treat it properly. First and foremost, it's necessary examine the cat's feces for the presence of worm eggsto determine the type of parasite. If worms are detected, the veterinarian is responsible for prescribing the necessary treatment.

If you can't see a veterinarian, you can give your pet broad-spectrum tablets yourself. preventative treatment is done every three months, as well as 2 weeks before vaccination and before mating. The medication is indicated if larvae or worms are detected in the feces.

Do not administer deworming medications to kittens under 3 weeks of age, pregnant cats early in pregnancy, lactating cats, or cats after lambing for 25 days. Do not use deworming medications for cats when treating adult cats whose total weight is less than 500 grams. Do not administer medications to cats with liver or kidney disease, or to emaciated animals.

Administering deworming medication with a syringe

Not all animals are easy to undergo various procedures, and even more so, Not all cats will readily take pills.It's important not only to use the right medication but also to administer it correctly. In this case, there are two possible solutions:

• Deceptive methodYou can insert the tablet into fish or meat and give it to your cat. Larger tablets should be crushed beforehand. You can also make a suspension from the tablet by mixing it with milk and pouring it into the cat's mouth. It's best to use a spoon or syringe without a needle for this.
• Option using physical forceSecure the cat by wrapping it in a cloth. Then, using the fingers of one hand, press the corners of the mouth to force the jaws open. With the other hand, place the tablet on the tongue and close the cat's mouth. Then, slightly lift the cat's head and stroke its throat, creating a swallowing motion.

All medications should be administered in the morning, before meals. After taking the medication, the cat should not be fed for one hour. Many anthelmintics are given only once.If the cat has a severe infestation, the medication should be administered in divided doses or treatment should be repeated after 2 weeks.

List of the best antihelminthic drugs

When worms are detected in a cat, treatment must be started immediately using anthelmintic medications. But in this case You need to understand what types of worms need to be destroyed, so it's advisable to consult a veterinarian. Many medications are selective and only work effectively against specific helminths.

As a rule, broad-spectrum medications that can kill various types of worms come to the aid of the cat owner. The most popular and widespread drugs against worms are considered to be:

• Dirofen;
• Polyvercan;
• Febtal;
• Prazitel;
• Kanikquantel plus;
• Pratel;
• Milbemax;
• Profender;
• Drontal;
• Troncil-K.

We won't describe instructions for when and how to administer deworming medications to cats because they have different active ingredients, packaging, and dosages. To avoid mistakes, given that drugs in large doses are toxins, it is advisable to give medications according to the instructions.

Preparation Prazitel

A safe medication that effectively protects cats from all types of helminths at any stage of development. The medicine is used if it is necessary to remove cestodes and nematodes. Sold as a suspension. Each ml of the medication contains: pyrantel pamoate - 35 mg and praziquantel - 4 mg. The medication is prohibited for use against:

• kittens whose lifespan is less than 25 days;
• kittens and cats if they have infectious diseases or are exhausted;
• if there is an individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• simultaneously with antihelminthic drugs that contain piperazine;
• pregnant and lactating animals.

The drug can be given to pregnant cats in the second half of pregnancy and to lactating cats 25 days after lambing. It is always given to animals before vaccination. It is available in 15 ml bottles. A dosing syringe is included.

The drug Dirofen

A combination anthelmintic medication for adult animals and kittens, sold in tablet form. The active ingredients are fenbendazole and pyrantel. Dirofen has a fairly wide range of uses., which can produce quick results. It can be used to get rid of tapeworms and roundworms.

The drug Poliverkan

It is considered a broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of cestodes and nematodes in kittens and adult animals. Poliverkan It is produced by the pharmaceutical industry in the form of a yellow soluble sugar cube., weighing 8 grams. The medicine contains: 220 mg of niclosamide, 45 mg of oxibendazole.

For cats weighing up to 5 kg, the dosage is half a cc. The medication is diluted in water and then administered orally with a syringe. For treatment, the medicine is used twice., with a 12-day interval, and for preventative purposes, it can be used once every 3 months. Kittens can be given the medication after one month of age. The drug is contraindicated for pregnant cats.

Caniquantel Plus tablets

This is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic for cats. It contains 450 mg of fenbendazole and 60 mg of praziquanten. It kills both flatworms and roundworms. It has a rapid effect. During treatment, follow the instructions for dosage. Cats sometimes only need half a tablet.If treating roundworms, the medication should be administered twice, separated by two weeks. It is not recommended to administer the medication to pregnant cats.

Medicines for kittens

When treating kittens for helminths, not all medications and injections are suitable. The pharmaceutical industry has developed specific treatments for kittens. These include Dirofen for kittens and Prazicid. sweet suspension for kittensAll other medications can be given to kittens over one month of age, and some medications can be given after two months of age.

The best treatment for this is considered to be Praziquantel, a sweet suspension for kittens. This universal medication kills tapeworms and roundworms in kittens. Its active ingredients are pyrantel and praziquantel, which destroy the muscles and membranes of the worm, causing its death.

It is advisable to use the drug once, in the morning, while feeding the kitten. It is necessary to give the medicine with food or forcefully using a syringe without a needleShake the suspension bottle thoroughly before use. Deworming can be used on kittens 2 weeks and older. The dosage is indicated on the packaging.

There are many deworming medications suitable for treating cats. You can choose a medication that works against all types of parasites or, after consulting with a veterinarian, purchase a targeted product. The most important thing is to provide timely assistance to the animal. Otherwise, parasites can cause significant harm to its health.