Expert: Ali - 10/6/2008

Question
Hi Ali, I recently asked you about a mama cat I had that meowed a lot, which by the way, she seems to have stopped so it must have been just her way of venting. ha ha But now I have another question and you might not be able to answer it but maybe can give me some suggestions. To refresh your memory, the cats I have are from a trap and rescue organization. The clinic where they were sterilized and got their shots is far from me, so it would be a hardship on me taking them back. My local Vet, which Vets are very limited here, only one, is not sympathetic to treating feral cats. Well, I have two kittens, about 5 months old. One of them, which I have no idea which one, threw up yesterday and much to my shock, there was a worm, a round one about an inch long. I know you can worm kittens with over-the-counter meds but not sure if I should. And since the local Vet won't help me, I'm pretty much on my own. Is there any worming meds you know of and can recommend that I can maybe buy from a pet store that would be safer for them? According to their medical papers, supposedly they were given all their shots and I thought were wormed too.

Thanks,
Vicki Short

Answer
Vicki,

I have to ask....Are the two kittens that you have inside getting used to human handling? If they have been somewhat socialized I see no reason why a vet would refuse to treat them. The reason that some vets refuse to treat feral cats has to do with the health and safety of themselves as well as their support staff - after all a truly feral cat who hasn't had any medical care or vaccines may well have rabies and from what I understand rabies shots for people just aren't the most comfortable thing....If these little ones can be handled I would suggest that you have the vet dispense a course (usually 3 doses spaced over a period of a few weeks) of a broad spectrum dewormer like Strongid T. There is also a one dose broad spectrum dewormer that is in pill form and gets rid of round worms, hook worms, and tape worms. The concern that I have about over the counter dewormers is that there are fewer safety and handling regulations than prescription medications and that can sometimes lead to serious reactions or the medications being ineffective. You could also have your vet call in a prescription based on the weight of the kittens to a company like 1-800-Pet-Meds. Drontal is a broad spectrum dewormer that my vet has used for rescued strays - it kills off tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms...It's been a good dewormer in my experience, however it is dosed by weight so the kittens will have to be weighed on a vet's scale for an accurate reading. The information below is from 1800petmeds.com....If your area vets won't treat the kittens themselves maybe they would be willing to allow you to weigh them and write a prescription for Drontal appropriate for the weight of each kitten...

   Drontal (praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate) is a broad spectrum dewormer for cats and kittens. It is used to treat tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms. Each tablet is scored for easy breakage. The dose is based on weight. (Sold per tablet)

This product requires a prescription Click for Information


  Minimum quantity for the selected item is 30.
  Drontal Feline #10073 $5.49    

 
Brand Name
Drontal (Bayer)

 
Generic Name
Praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate (pra-zee-kwan’-tell)  
 
What is the most important information I should know about Drontal: Drontal is a prescription medication FDA approved for use in cats and kittens. The usual dose of Drontal for cats and kittens at least 4 weeks old and 1.5-1.9 lbs is 1/4 tablet, 2-3 lbs is 1/2 tablet, 4-8 lbs is 1 tablet, 9-12 lbs is 1 1/2 tablets and 13-16 lbs is 2 tablets.

What is Drontal: Drontal is a broad spectrum dewormer used in the treatment of tapeworms, hookworms and large roundworms in cats and kittens.

What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving Drontal to my pet: Tell your veterinarian if your pet has ever had an allergic reaction to the medication. Tapeworm is a zoonotic infection meaning humans can contract tapeworm from animals. Discuss the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene.

How should this medication be given:

Give Drontal exactly as directed by the veterinarian. If you do not understand the directions ask the pharmacist or veterinarian to explain them to you. Drontal is given as a single dose. Store Drontal at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss giving a dose:

Drontal Feline tablets are given as a single dose.

What happens if I overdose the pet:

Seek emergency veterinary medical treatment. While rare, symptoms of overdose may include increased salivation, vomiting and diarrhea in cats.

What should I avoid while giving Drontal to my pet:

Because humans can contract tapeworm from animals, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene. It is also important to eliminate fleas on the pet and in the household and to not feed the pet rodents or uncooked meat or fish. To prevent reinfection, daily cleanup of stools is recommended.

What are the possible side effects of Drontal:

Side effects of Drontal are rare but may include loss of appetite, increased salivation, vomiting and diarrhea. Other side effects may also occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to the animal.

What other drugs will affect Drontal:

Do not give Drontal to your pet if already giving an alternate dewormer medication unless directed to by your veterinarian.

Where can I get more information:

Your pharmacist has additional information about Drontal Feline written for health professionals that you may read.

This information sheet is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.

The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian.

Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies  


The only obvious issue is that you will have to be able to get the Drontal into the kittens, it tastes quite bitter according to my vet so hiding it in food may not work unless you are using Greenies Pill Pockets for cats (comes in chicken and salmon flavors if I'm not mistaken). If I understand you correctly these kittens actually live in your house with you - that's the impression I got from our initial e-mails.... If the kittens are skittish you can try towel wrapping them in order to pill them. The idea is to swaddle each kitten fairly tightly in an old towel or small blanket so that you can avoid being scratched and you have both hands free to administer medication. Be sure to keep all four paws within the towel or blanket or you may be scratched. If the kittens are skittish it also may be worth purchasing a small plastic device for pilling cats so that if the kittens bite down on anything it isn't your fingers...Please keep in touch, let me know if there is anything else that I can do to help you out...