Tapeworms in Cats and Pet Care from a Veterinarian Near You in Mission Hills, CA

At Grenada Veterinary Clinic in Mission Hills, CA, we are proud to provide pet care and treatment for many conditions your pet may encounter. This includes treatment for tapeworms in a cat or kitten. This common parasite is a long, segmented, flat worm that attaches to the small intestines. Once settled, it easily breeds, causing your pet great discomfort.

How Do Cats Get Tapeworm?

The most common way pets contract tapeworms is by ingesting fleas. But they can also be infected by

●          Eating infected feces

●          Eating an infected rodent (mice, rats, frogs)

●          Eating raw fish

What Are the Symptoms of Tapeworms in Cats?

While some cats may have no symptoms, others may display one or more of the following:

●          Licking or biting the anus

●          Dragging or scooting along the floor

●          Weight loss

●          Increased appetite

●          Vomiting or diarrhea

●          Lethargy

●          Shaggy coat

All cats, whether showing symptoms or not, will have signs of the tapeworm in their feces. In fact, tapeworms are one of the few intestinal worms that can be seen with the naked eye. They look like tiny pieces of rice, and are white to gray in color.

What Is the Treatment for Tapeworm?

Luckily, tapeworms are easily treated by a veterinarian with oral deworming medication. The medicine will dissolve the worms from within the intestines. It may take several days to a few weeks to fully rid your pet of the worms, so be sure to finish all the medication.

Can Tapeworms Be Prevented?

A good way to prevent tapeworms in cats is to bring them for regular pet exams where their stool can be tested. Next, is to apply monthly flea prevention medication. No fleas means no worms. You should never let your cat eat raw fish and try to keep your home free of pests like mice. It's also important to vacuum and wash pet bedding regularly to cut down on the chances of fleas in your home.

Get Pet Exams, Cat & Kitten Care, Veterinary Care, and Pet Doctor Services from a Veterinarian Near You

If you're in the Mission Hills, CA, area and need a veterinarian near you to help with parasite prevention, our veterinary team at Grenada Veterinary Clinic is here with an array of treatments to get your cat or kitten back on track! Call us at (818) 361-0125 for pet exams, cat & kitten care, veterinary care, and pet doctor services from a veterinarian near you.