Long-term Effects of Tapeworms

Question
It seems like as soon as I get my cats de-wormed, they get worms again, even if I give them flea treatment.  I don't notice any fleas so I don't want to give them flea treatment if it isn't needed but I don't want them to get worms again if I get them de-wormed. Will they have any long-term health problems if they have worms?

Thanks,
Emily

Answer
Hi Emily,

Yes tapeworm infections if left untreated can lead to blindness and death in cats. You need to break the cycle. You need to deworm the cats and deflea them and the house. And you need to deworm them again after about two weeks after administering the first dose. This gets rid of any larvae that hatched. You also need to get rid of the fleas that are reinfecting the cats. You need to keep up with the flea treatment. Give them a Capstar if they are really flea covered and then apply Frontline or Advantage. I prefer Advantage. I find it works better on my cats than Frontline. Revolution is also good. And it gets rid of earmites if your cats have that.  

Until the house is flea free they will get those buggers back again. And that means the tapeworms will be back. Get some 20 Mule Team Borax from your grocery store. Its in the laundry section. Sprinkle this liberally over rugs and any furniture. Wait a half hour and vacuum. Wash all pet bedding. Vacuum the whole house. Put a flea collar in bag or collection area to kill any fleas that you suck up. Do the vacuuming and Borax treatment once a week. Your house and your pets will soon be flea free, and tapeworm free. And remember tapeworms can infect humans. And fleas carry other diseases.

Hope this helped. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen