Expert: Becky - 10/3/2005

Question
Hi Becky!

I have two cats...one is around 5 or 6 years old (I adopted him, so I'm not real sure) and the other is 2 years old. They're just cats, no special breed.

My problem is this. They both get tapeworm ALL THE TIME. They get it, I take them into the vet for the shot, bring then home, and within a months time, they have tapeworm AGAIN. I have been dealing with this problem for years and I've almost given up. I do a 'fleamageddon' as me and my boyfriend call it every so often: We bomb, wash the cats, put the drops on, use the carpet powder and pretty much anything else you can think of. I haven't noticed fleas in our new apartment, but we live on the first floor and I allow the cats to go outside on our small screened in porch. They absolutely LOVE going outside, so I can't cut that out.

Anyway, what do I do about this? I am tired of the look from the vet doctor- the "They have it again?!" look. I am tired of being grossed out by worms crawling from their butts. I want my kitties to be healthy.

Also, as a side question...both of my cats are males. They get along well, but they looove to chase each other around and beat each other up. I try to get them to stop, and my boyfriend says it's fine; "Just boys being boys". Any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance for your answers.  

Answer
Hi Sharon,

It sounds like you guys are very good pet owners.  I hope I can help you.

Tapeworms are one of the hardest to get rid of.  You really should deworm again in two weeks after the first deworming, unless your vet thinks its not necessary, but we always dewormed twice.  Tapeworms infect your cats by the cat biting at fleas, ingesting the flea and the tapeworm develops from the flea larvae.  So, as you probably already know, you must get rid of the fleas!  The very BEST thing I have found is Frontline.   You can get it from your vet,  or do what I do, buy it online.  I think I went to Valley Vet, but there are numerous places online that sell veterinary products.  It is not cheap, but it does the trick.   You can buy different forms,  I buy the liquid spray.  It cost about $30.00 for a 8.5 oz spray bottle, but it will last for a very long time, I'm talking about years. (at least it does for me, and I also have two cats.)  I spray 2-3 good squirts on the back of my cats neck.  Hold your cat by the scruff of its neck and place the nozzle directly on the cats skin , at the back of the neck.  The liquid will soak into the skin, and when the flea bites your cat, it will kill it.  The flea has to bite the cat...but they always do, and eventually, no more fleas!!  I have used this for years and I never have fleas anymore.  It's a bit pricey, but I'm telling you its worth it.   So, if you see segments of tapeworm, deworm them again, and be prepared to get rid of the fleas!!  I am sure there are other products out there that work too, I just recommend this because I know it works!

As far as the roughhousing... that's normal as long as they are both neutered.  If they are not,  then please have it done asap!  Male cats that are still whole will eventually fight and really hurt one another.  I have seen some real damage done when male cats fight.  If yours are neutered, then they are just having fun.  I know my cats get a little too rough sometimes, and when that happens, one or the other lets the other one know!  

God Bless,
Becky