How long does it take for tapeworm medication to work in cats?

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Adrienne
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Joined: 04/23/2010

My husband and I want to adopt this cat we saw today at the shelter. We already have 2 other cats. The shelter informed us that this cat has tapeworm, and that they will give her a pill if we decide on whether or not we are going to adopt her. We are going back there tomorrow to confirm our adoption, and were wondering how long does it take for the medication to be effective? We are worried that our other cats will become infected. Please help! I can't appear to find any information on here approximately how long it takes to be effective and rid of the tapeworms!


MidnightWhiskers
User offline. Last seen 1 year 41 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 04/23/2010

Tapeworms can Only be spread by ingestion of a flea or small mammal (rodent, rabbit, occasionally an insect). The cat infected with tapeworms cannot pass them directly to your new cat. But, if this cat has other worms (roundworms, hookworms, etc. those can be passed to other cats through their stool.

The medication causes the tapeworm to die pretty quickly (day or so), and then it gets dissolved in the gut.

Somni
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Joined: 04/23/2010

Usually within a day or so. They never last long once the meds are administered.

reliefvet
User offline. Last seen 1 year 41 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 04/23/2010

The most common way that cats and dogs receive tapeworms is by swallowing an infected flea. People can also get this specific tapeworm but they too, would have to swallow an infected flea. Your preceding answerer was right -- there would not be direct transmission between animals. Tapeworms must go through another host before they can infect a dog or cat. The tapeworm medication acts rather quickly but only kills a certain age of the worm so it is possible that your kitty will need another dose of tapeworm medication in a couple weeks if he/she happened to swallow another flea at a later date. Tapeworms mainly an aesthetic issue and can cause some itching as they exit the rectum, but do not usually cause health issues. Be sure you use adequate flea control on all your pets and you'll usually keep tapeworms to a negative.

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