Why deworm before vaccination?
Most often, medications against parasites are given for preventive purposes, however, if worms were found in the pet, then 2 courses of cleaning must be completed before the vaccine is administered.
A qualified veterinarian will refuse vaccination if the pet has not previously been dewormed, since the procedure may result in a serious illness for the cat. The need to drive away worms is justified by the principle of operation of the animal’s immune system. The vaccine contains a weakened virus, to which the cat’s body reacts by producing antibodies designed to destroy the threat. If the kitten is healthy, then it will cope with the danger without negative consequences, but in the case when there are worms in the gastrointestinal tract, the immune system has a double burden. The parasite will be perceived as a primary danger to life, which will allow the virus to strengthen and develop.
All nuances regarding both procedures should be discussed with your doctor.
The timing of vaccination and worming should not coincide, as there is a risk of drug conflict. Studies have shown that due to vaccination, medications against parasites stop working, and the cat’s body does not synthesize new antibodies that would help with re-infection with the virus. The situation is similar with revaccination. The exact timing of the procedures must be checked with your veterinarian.
What drugs exist
Preparations intended for deworming cats come in narrow and broad spectrum. The former affect a specific type of parasite, while the latter affect several at once.
Thanks to the variety of release forms, the anthelmintic can be easily selected individually. It can be given in the form of tablets or suspensions, or simply dripped onto the withers. Each form has its own advantages and disadvantages. After reading them, you will understand how easier it is to deworm your cat.
Pills
The advantages of the tablet form are a longer shelf life and the possibility of localizing the action of the drug in a specific part of the gastrointestinal tract. This is achieved by applying a special coating that allows the active substance to be transported to the required location.
The downside of such medications is their slow action and the impossibility of use for frequent bouts of vomiting. The owners also have problems with feeding the tablets. Because of the bitter taste, animals often refuse to take them on their own, so the procedure is carried out forcibly.
Suspensions
First of all, suspensions are attractive due to their fast action. When the active substances are crushed, their surface area increases, allowing contact with a larger part of the organ or tissue infected with worms.
Another advantage is a more pleasant taste, which is achieved in production using flavoring agents. The taste of meat is accepted with a bang by mustachioed pets. Suspensions are often produced together with a dispenser syringe, which allows you to measure the required amount of medicine and inject it into the cat’s mouth.
If you have several pets, then treat them with one drug, choosing a convenient release form.
The disadvantages of suspensions include short service life and physical instability. The resulting sediment disrupts the uniformity of dosing.
Drops
Drops are applied only to the withers - a place that the animal cannot reach. To get the effect, just a couple of drops are enough, so owners choose this form because of its economical consumption and ease of use.
Swimming is excluded for 2 days before and after use. Water can wash away the protective barrier on the skin or the droplets themselves. In the first case, the pet will receive more toxins, and in the second, it will not feel the effect and will remain vulnerable to worms.
Please note that due to their gentle action, drops are not suitable for direct infestations. If helminthiasis is detected, it is recommended to use other anthelmintics, and the drops will act as a protective agent after getting rid of the worms.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine is recommended for young people, pregnancy and lactation. It has no harmful effects on the body and is suitable even for weakened pets. Its only drawback is its slow action. Treatment will take from 7 to 30 days. There is also a risk of an allergic reaction.
To remove worms use:
- Infusion of wormwood and tansy. Grind the plants in equal proportions, pour boiling water over them and filter to remove small particles. For 1 tbsp. l. 250 ml of water is enough. The cooled infusion is taken an hour before morning feeding for 7 days.
- Pumpkin seed infusion. Pour boiling water over the peeled and crushed seeds, adding a little honey. After 12 hours, strain the infusion and serve half an hour before meals. The medicine can be given orally or through enemas.
- Tansy flowers. In addition to the green part, the buds themselves also have healing properties. Add peppermint, buckthorn bark and wild carrot seeds. Prepare the same way with tansy and wormwood, taking 2 times more herbal mixture. Give it three times a day for 3 days.
Before using folk remedies, be sure to consult your veterinarian. Some recipes may be dangerous.
It is strictly forbidden to use onions and garlic. These products contain chemicals that destroy feline red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia may be added to helminthiasis. Poisoning by these plants is accompanied by severe vomiting, diarrhea, pale mucous membranes and difficulty breathing.
Why give your cat anthelmintics before vaccination?
Timely and regular vaccination is necessary for all animals, including pets. Its main goal is to prepare the body for a possible encounter with a deadly infection - distemper, rabies, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, etc.
The vaccine, which is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously, contains small amounts of inactivated (dead) virus. It is impossible to get sick from a vaccination, but it is enough for the body to begin to produce antibodies to infectious agents. This way, an immune response is gradually formed, and if one day the cat catches a real virus of panleukopenia, rabies or another dangerous infection, its body will be able to overcome the fatal disease.
What is the connection between vaccination and parasites? After the vaccine is administered, the body directs all its forces to fight the virus. Worms weaken the immune system, diverting its strength to themselves, and a weakened immune system is less likely to overcome the “stranger.” An organism infected with helminths is not able to give a full immune response to vaccination; as a result, vaccination is ineffective.
Can deworming cause harm?
Complications can occur if the dosage is incorrect. An insufficient amount of the substance will keep the worms alive - they will continue to multiply and poison the body, which will affect the worsening of symptoms.
If kittens are overdosed or dewormed with adult medications, vomiting and diarrhea may occur. Gastrointestinal upset severely dehydrates the body, so animals will need the help of a veterinarian. Prolonged diarrhea in adult animals is safe for no more than 2 days, and in kittens – only 6-12 hours.
If you are hypersensitive to the active substances, itching or other allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, may occur. Other possible complications include:
- breathing problems (shortness of breath);
- blood pressure surges;
- excessive salivation and foaming (due to the bitterness of the medicine);
- stomach bleeding and kidney dysfunction;
- rapid weight loss.
In severe cases of helminthiasis and an excessively weakened body, taking anthelmintics can lead to multiple organ failure syndrome. This deadly pathology leads to rapid failure of all internal organs and systems. It is impossible to save an animal with such a diagnosis, so veterinarians recommend a full diagnosis before deworming in severe cases.
When should the procedure be performed?
The optimal time frame for deworming a cat varies depending on the type of vaccination and the characteristics of the animal. Veterinarians highlight the following basic rules that must be followed before vaccinating a pet:
- If the kitten is vaccinated once, then the anti-parasite medication must be completed more than 1 week in advance.
- When administering a drug that creates immunity against several diseases of an infectious nature, you need to drive away your pet within 10 days, 2 or 3 weeks, depending on the type of anthelmintic tablets.
- A kitten can be vaccinated against rabies only after waiting 1 month. after cleaning from parasites.
- If the animal is given a drug for the second time that helps develop antibodies to several infections, then 21 days must pass before vaccination.
What to vaccinate against?
Most vaccines allow you to vaccinate a cat against the three most dangerous viral diseases - panleukopenia, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis. Some of them also protect against chlamydia. The rabies vaccination can be done separately, or the combined vaccine quadricat can be used. There are also separate vaccines for feline leukemia virus and FIP, but the effectiveness of these vaccines, especially the FIP vaccine, has been questioned by many.
Do not forget that no vaccination gives a 100% guarantee that your cat will not get sick. Vaccines contain a specific set of strains of each virus, but there is always a chance that you will encounter a rare or new strain - because viruses are constantly mutating. In this case, the vaccination may fail and the cat will get sick. Therefore, despite the fact that your cat is vaccinated, try to limit its contact with outside animals.
If a cat doesn’t go outside, is it possible not to “worm” it?
All animals must be routinely dewormed before vaccination. If a cat does not leave the apartment, this does not guarantee its protection from contracting dangerous infections.
The causative agent of a fatal disease can enter a home on the owner’s street clothes and shoes; a pet can get it through contact with other animals during a routine visit to the veterinary clinic. Cats taking part in exhibitions and various competitions must be vaccinated, even if they do not go outside for walks.
When is deworming contraindicated?
Veterinarians prohibit giving anthelmintic treatment under the following circumstances:
If there are signs of exhaustion, both procedures are not performed.
- Acute allergic reaction to the components of the composition. Before you chase your cat away, you need to make sure that all components are safe.
- The period of gestation. The consequence may be miscarriage or death of babies in the womb.
- Presence of kidney stones.
- Lack of body weight. If your pet is exhausted, it is better to postpone the procedure.
- Diseases of viral and infectious nature. If your immune defense is weakened, you should not put additional stress on the body. The likelihood of rashes, scabies and hair loss increases.
- Little age. Until the babies are 2 months old. It is better not to give medications for parasites.
Features of deworming kittens
The time frame for worming kittens before vaccination differs from that suitable for adult cats. If the kitten is not yet 2 months old, it is not recommended to give it parasite-killing medications. But some products can be used from the age of 3 weeks. The medicine is given only to healthy animals.
You should use medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Medicines used to treat adult cats can have a negative effect on an incompletely formed organism, causing various adverse reactions. It is recommended to use products with a broad spectrum of action.
Before vaccination, the kitten is dewormed 10 days before. If the kitten is infected, runs are carried out according to the same scheme as for adult animals.
Symptoms of worms in a cat
It is almost impossible to determine independently, “by eye,” whether an animal is infected or not, since the symptoms of parasite species are very different.
There are some common signs.
- change in the nature of appetite - decrease or increase;
- variable stool - diarrhea alternates with constipation;
- vomiting or retching, mucus or a small amount of blood may be detected;
- the presence of mucus, blood or helminth larvae in the feces;
- irritation and itching in the anal area (this manifests itself in “riding” on the butt);
- bloating that occurs periodically;
- lethargy and weakness;
- dullness of coat;
- allergic reactions (hair loss, falling on the ears, discharge from the eyes and nose, sneezing);
- if the cat is pregnant, a parasitic infection can cause premature birth and miscarriage;
- when one kitten from a litter is affected, there is a noticeable difference in development compared to the rest;
- weight loss (regardless of nutrition);
- with a strong spread of helminths in the body, paralysis of the limbs occurs.
If two or more signs of disease are detected, a veterinarian should be consulted. He will be able to identify the type of helminths and prescribe medications for treatment. But prevention is most important, especially before vaccination.
Express diagnostics before vaccination
If a person does not have signs of health problems, getting tested before getting vaccinated against coronavirus is a personal choice. Rospotrebnadzor experts share the same opinion in their official recommendations. At the same time, many experts recommend taking a test to be sure that there is no virus in the body at the time of vaccination.
The optimal testing option before vaccination is an immunochromatographic rapid antigen test, which is performed immediately at the appointment and gives results in 15 minutes. Its reliability is 95.1% for diagnosing coronavirus infection and 99% for excluding it. Antigen tests will quickly show whether a person is infected or not and help the doctor decide whether to vaccinate.
Choice of drug
7 days before starting treatment for parasites, according to veterinary standards, you need to undergo drug therapy to kill fleas. This rule is especially important for outdoor cats.
Veterinarians recommend using anti-worm medications presented in the table:
| Drug name | Release form |
| "Parasicide" | Oral suspension |
| "Dirofen" | |
| "Parasite" | |
| "Pirantel" | |
| "Drontal" | Pills |
| "Cestal" | |
| "Milbemax" | |
| "Fenbendazole" | Powder |
| "Ivermectin" | Injections |
| "Dectomax" |
Various forms of medications give a similar effect, so owners should focus on the criterion of convenience for the pet. The tablets can be crushed if the cat cannot swallow them whole and mixed into food. The suspension must be carefully injected into the animal's mouth using a syringe without a needle. Placing injections at the drawn withers does not require special skills, however, it is important to first disinfect the area with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. The injection is painless for the animal. To completely remove parasites and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, you should introduce foods rich in fiber - vegetables and fruits - into your cat's diet. Before vaccination, you need to bring your pet to the clinic for an additional examination.
Vaccination procedure
Even if you decide to entrust the vaccination to a veterinarian, you should know some general points in order to properly prepare your pet for the procedure:
1. In order for immunity to develop correctly and vaccination to take place without negative consequences, the animal must be healthy. Therefore, before vaccination, the veterinarian examines the cat, takes the temperature, and interviews the owner. It is also not recommended to vaccinate pregnant cats with vaccines containing live viruses;
2. 10-14 days before visiting the veterinarian it is necessary to carry out deworming. To do this, you should buy drops or tablets at any pharmacy. It is better to save the packaging - the veterinarian will paste the sticker from the drug into the veterinary passport. Without deworming, you will be denied vaccination;
3. You should take your pet to the clinic on an empty stomach, otherwise vomiting and diarrhea may occur due to stress or the vaccination itself. Take a towel or special diaper with you;
4. in the clinic, an unvaccinated kitten should not have contact with the environment and other animals;
5. the procedure itself lasts less than a minute, regardless of which drugs were chosen;
6. After vaccination (usually after re-vaccination), the veterinarian will issue a veterinary passport for the kitten. In most clinics this service is free or very inexpensive. The veterinary passport contains information about all vaccinations; if necessary, on the basis of this, a veterinary certificate is issued for transporting the animal on public transport or exporting it abroad.
Causes of worms
There are several reasons why worms appear in domestic cats. These include:
- Drinking untreated water. Helminth eggs can be found in various bodies of water, in the soil, in public places, even in tap water if the pipeline is not properly cleaned or the integrity of the pipeline is compromised. When animals consume raw tap water, they can become infected with various parasites.
- Food products. Helminth eggs can also be found in vegetables, meat, and fish. In the absence of heat treatment or in its insufficiency, they may enter the cat’s body in pieces of food.
- From other animals. When a cat comes into contact with other animals that are infected with helminths, they may become infected with parasites.
- Master. Oddly enough, the source of infection for a cat can be the owner himself, who became infected in any other way.
Disinsection before deworming
Parasitic worms enter in two ways - through intrauterine infection or through an ingested ectoparasite. Therefore, fleas must be removed before deworming. Products that protect adult dogs from ectoparasites are toxic to children. They can only be treated with shampoos containing repellents that repel arthropods. The protection period is about a week. Therefore, 7 days after disinsection, deworming is carried out.
Prazitel
Dying parasites release cadaveric poisons; the puppy needs time to recover from treatment. Re-infestation cannot be allowed, so the animal is vaccinated 10–14 days after the helminths are expelled. The traditional scheme provides for revaccinations in 4; 12 months, and thereafter – annually. If they plan to breed a bitch, she is immunized, regardless of the date of her last vaccination. Before this, they deworm, without taking into account the date of previous deworming.
Timing of deworming
Deworming is carried out 1–3 weeks before vaccination, depending on the type of anthelmintic. If the kitten’s parents did not undergo routine deworming before mating, or if live helminths are noticed in the feces, the drug must be given again after 10 days. You should not vaccinate your cat immediately after deworming. It is necessary to wait time for the pet’s body to fully restore its immune reserves.
It is also recommended, after eliminating the parasites, to feed the pet with prebiotics and probiotics that restore the intestinal microflora. If there are a large number of parasites, you may even need a laxative, such as Vaseline oil. If your cat is dewormed correctly and in a timely manner, she will easily tolerate vaccination.
Contraindications and side effects
Anthelmintic drugs for cats have a number of contraindications and side effects:
- the kitten is less than 2 months old;
- a nursing or pregnant cat (at least 3 weeks must pass after the birth of kittens);
- the pet is underweight;
- problems with the digestive system;
- presence of infectious diseases;
- allergy to the drug.
If you follow the conditions for taking anthelmintic drugs for cats, there will most likely be no side effects. But in some cases, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy may occur.
Are you “ready” for vaccination: tests before vaccination against COVID-19
Many people probably remember that the “path” to the vaccination office in childhood always ran through the pediatrician. The doctor conducted an examination, listened to something with a phonendoscope, peered at the “papers” with tests, and only then wrote out a referral. And the situation has not changed with age.
After all, each vaccination is a load on the immune system and other body systems. And, if there is “something wrong” with the latter, the risk of severe complications increases many times over.
Basic “readiness” parameters
For those who consider themselves relatively healthy and do not have a hereditary predisposition to vascular diseases and thrombosis, before vaccination it is enough to check:
- clinical blood test with leukocyte formula,
- general urine analysis,
- basic biochemistry
- C-reactive protein level.
A general (clinical) blood test will show:
- is there any systemic inflammation,
- deficiency of immune cells,
- allergies at the moment,
- anemia, which sharply reduces the body’s protective and regenerative abilities,
Latent inflammation that is not reflected in the general analysis will show an increase in C-reactive protein.
A urine test will “highlight” urinary infections (if any), even if the latter proceed unnoticed, as well as violations of the filtration capacity of the kidneys (protein, red blood cells in the urine).
And basic biochemistry will allow you to exclude damage to the liver, kidneys, as well as the risk or degree of iron deficiency (which is a factor in weakening the immune system) and diabetes, even the latent course of which “hurts” the blood vessels and general health.
And, among other things, you can look at the presence of antibodies to coronavirus; data on the initial level of antibodies will be needed to assess the post-vaccination immune response.
For those at risk
Currently, people with chronic diseases are allowed to get vaccinated against COVID-19. But only in case of remission, confirmed by laboratory and instrumental studies (ultrasound, ECG, CT and others).
A special risk group is represented by people who have blood clotting disorders or risk factors for their development. Thus, a screening coagulogram (clotting test) and homocysteine test are indicated not only for those who already have the corresponding disorders, but also in the case of a family history of thrombosis or the presence of risk factors for its development (taking contraceptive drugs, excess estrogen, obesity, metabolic disorders folate, smoking and others).
Those who have had a history of heart attacks and strokes are also recommended to check their lipid balance (to exclude existing atherosclerosis) and the level of ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, which makes it possible to identify the risk of changes in blood vessels at the earliest, preclinical stage.
Detection of abnormalities in “vascular” tests requires consultation with the attending physician regarding the selection of a suitable vaccine and the development of “post-vaccination” observation tactics.
Well, if the deviations are critical, the issue of obtaining a medical exemption from vaccination is considered.
How to worm kittens correctly: instructions
You should start from the date of the first vaccination. It is usually performed at 8 weeks of age. A kitten may not notice symptoms of worms, but there is no doubt that it has parasites. To reduce their number and give the immune system the opportunity to form antibodies, deworming should be carried out at 6-7 weeks. If the age of the kitten is unknown, but they are going to vaccinate it, all the same, worms are expelled 7-10 days before immunization.
Some cat owners believe that additional deworming is necessary between the first and second vaccinations. The benefit of this procedure is questionable, and the supposed harm is that the antibody titer peaks in the third week before the injection. It is during these periods that the vaccination must be repeated and not interfere with the functioning of the immune system.
If a kitten was picked up on the street and the age is unknown, and the stomach is swollen with low fatness, and fragments of worms and adults are found in the feces, then you need to contact a veterinarian. Otherwise, with spontaneous treatment, mass death of helminths will lead to intoxication, vomiting, dehydration and death.
Be sure to read:
How many days before vaccination should a cat be given anthelmintic: why, how to do it correctly, the best remedies
Most anthelmintics used for adult cats will not be suitable for a six-week-old kitten. Drops for application to the withers and tablets are difficult to dose. Therefore, manufacturers do not recommend using the drug in animals under 8 weeks of age and weighing up to 0.5 kg.
The exception is Stronghold drops. They are applied to the back of the head or withers in a place inaccessible to licking. If there are several kittens in the house, the pet is isolated for about half an hour until the solution is absorbed. However, it is best to apply the drops 3 weeks after the second vaccination. They will protect the kitten not only from helminths, but also from fleas.
Tablets are inconvenient to use. For example, Febtal is approved for use from three weeks. However, one tablet is designed for an animal weighing 1.5 kg, therefore, the tablet must be crushed. In addition, it is recommended to give the drug for 3 days in a row, and any violence against a kitten is stress, which also negatively affects health.
We suggest you read: How to cure acne in cats
Therefore, the safest method of deworming is the use of an anthelmintic suspension. Standard dosage is 1 ml/kg body weight. if the baby weighs -500 g, take 0.5 ml of anthelmintic suspension with an insulin syringe, squirt it into the mouth, close the jaws and make sure that the animal has swallowed the medicine.
Be sure to read:
Subcutaneous mites in cats: causes, symptoms, treatment methods, prevention, is it contagious to humans?
The most effective anthelmintic drugs
The medicine that needs to be used to worm the cat before vaccination is selected by the veterinarian. The drugs have similar effects, the effect is no different; the choice is made based on the active substance that is best suited to the individual case and the price.
Drontal tablets help a lot. Produced in the form of a suspension, the Parasiticide can be used to treat not only adult animals, but also young ones. Cats often willingly eat Cestal tablets themselves, since the medicine has a strong liver odor. Milbemax can be given from 1.5 months; This remedy copes not only with adult helminths, but also with their eggs. Pyrantel does not help against all types of helminths; it can be used to treat kittens, since it is mildly toxic.
Do I need to repeat the procedure before the second vaccination?
Dogs begin to be vaccinated when they are puppies. This is done according to the following scheme:
- First vaccination at 60–65 days of age. If the epidemiological situation in the region is unfavorable, the procedure can be postponed to an earlier age.
- Revaccination. The second vaccination is given to the puppy 21 days after the first.
- Another vaccination. The next procedure is carried out at 5–6 months of age, after changing teeth.
- Annual vaccination. Dogs are vaccinated against dangerous diseases annually. Before each procedure, the pet should be given an anthelmintic.
Puppies are wormed twice for the first time. For the first time - after the baby is 3-4 weeks old. At this age, an anthelmintic is usually given to large pets. Representatives of small breeds are subjected to this procedure when their weight reaches 500 g. Between doses of anthelmintic drugs, 10-12 day breaks must be maintained.
Before the second vaccination, many veterinarians recommend deworming the pet in the same order as before the first. Some experts have a different opinion. They consider repeated deworming unnecessary. Each procedure for getting rid of helminths is a considerable stress for the body, so it is better to entrust the decision on whether to take an anthelmintic before re-vaccination to the veterinarian who will vaccinate the pet.
Features of some groups of animals
Toxins in anthelmintics poison not only worms, but also the cat’s body. True, in the latter case, toxic substances do not have a significant effect. The danger arises only with low immunity, which is typical for sick animals and kittens. The drug will have to be taken with extreme caution during pregnancy and lactation, since all substances from the body are transferred to fragile babies.
In kittens
The first treatment of a kitten is carried out no earlier than three weeks of age. After this, it is processed quarterly, deviating from the schedule only before vaccination. Vaccinations are given starting from 2-3 months, followed by revaccination after 15-30 days. 10 days before vaccination, the baby is dewormed.
Read also: How to privatize a dacha
The selection of the drug and dosage is made by the veterinarian.
In pregnant and lactating females
Most anthelmintic drugs have a negative effect on embryos, causing abnormalities in their development and causing miscarriages. Veterinarians recommend treatment no later than 10 days before mating. This rids the pet of existing parasites in advance and gives her immunity from the appearance of new ones until the end of feeding.
If you are behind schedule, be sure to make an appointment at the veterinary clinic and find out how to deworm a pregnant cat. In the third trimester, taking medications is at its most dangerous, so it may be necessary to reduce the dosage indicated in the instructions.
Expectant mothers are given low-toxic anthelmintics: Drontal, Profender and Dirofen. The ban includes Polyvercan, Prazitel and Kanikquantel Plus. Their effect on the body is too aggressive and can lead to unpleasant consequences. In the absence of serious symptoms and maintaining good health, you can limit yourself to taking folk remedies.
With nursing pets, things are also not so simple. The first month of drug treatment should be avoided. When infected, babies are temporarily separated from their mother. In the second month after birth, you can take certain medications prescribed by your veterinarian.
Worms and their effect on the puppy’s body
Helminths are parasitic worms that live in animals and humans. They are divided into 3 types: flat, round and tape. The presence of these parasites in the body has a detrimental effect on it: from intoxication to the destruction of organs: liver, lungs, intestines.
Also, when entering the body of a young puppy, in the process of their active life, worms take from it minerals, vitamins and other substances necessary for the proper development and stable growth of the animal. This affects the pet’s well-being.
There are frequent cases when puppies are infected with helminths through intermediate carriers - fleas. That is, worm eggs enter the dog’s bloodstream through an insect bite.
You will poison your pet with anthelmintic drugs, and insects will again and again infect it with worm larvae.
Prevention and treatment of worms in puppies
To prevent helminthiasis, the puppy is given the first dose of anthelmintic medication when it reaches 3 weeks of age.
Also, the dog must be wormed 10-12 days before each vaccination.
This is very important, since the body, weakened by parasites, may not react correctly to the vaccine and not develop immunity to a particular disease. And vaccination will be pointless
Once the puppy is one year old, preventive deworming should be done every 3 months.
If a pet comes into your home already infected with worms, then it is given anthelmintic drugs for the first time at 2 weeks of age, the medication is repeated on the 28th day, and then it is dewormed every 30 days until the animal is 6 months old.
It is not recommended to choose your puppy’s medicine for worms on your own. This should be done by a veterinarian after studying the results of the animal’s stool tests, since roundworms cannot be treated with drugs for tapeworms, and flatworms cannot be treated with drugs for roundworms. The doctor will also determine the dosage.
We can only list the drugs that have received good ratings from Russian veterinarians: Drontal, Kanikvantel, Prazitsid, Prazitel, Dironet, Pratel, Stronghold, Polyvercan.
Deworming rules
To get the maximum effect when carrying out deworming, you must follow several rules:
- Preventive deworming should not be carried out in animals suffering from acute infectious diseases, convalescent, weakened, and in some cases pregnant and lactating animals (see contraindications in the instructions);
- It is better to give the drug in the morning on an empty stomach;
- it is important to strictly follow the indicated dosage;
- The medicine must be given immediately so that it completely enters the animal’s body. If, for example, you need to give two tablets, then you can give them one at a time, but do not divide the single dose into morning and evening doses;
- If the cat spits out part of the tablet, it is worth giving the drug again, waiting a few days after the unsuccessful administration. Individual medications have different elimination periods; to find out the exact waiting period, you need to consult a specialist;
- it is necessary to ensure that the pet always has fresh water (anthelmintics often cause thirst);
- It is advisable to treat the animal against external parasites (if any) 2-3 days before taking an anthelmintic.
Is it possible to get worms from a kitten?
There are several ways to become infected with this disease:
- eating raw food (fish, meat);
- through contact with other cats;
- through street dust.
In order to quickly begin deworming a kitten, you need to know the symptoms that appear if the animal is infected. It is best to worm your pet every four months, then you will be sure that everything is fine with him and no parasites are complicating his life.
Cats can harbor more than 80 species of worms. Not all of them are localized in the intestines: some live in the liver, bile ducts, lungs and other organs. Many parasites can infect the host. For example, to get nematode infection, it is enough to stroke a sick animal. Tapeworm larvae are carried by fleas.
Parasite larvae are transmitted through saliva. Little kittens love to lick and chew on various objects - a pen, a charger cord, the corner of a phone or laptop. Along with fragments of saliva, parasite larvae remain on objects.
Some types of larvae are released into the air when they breathe. It is enough to kiss the baby on the face or simply bring it close to the face - and infection will occur.
To prevent this from happening, you need to:
- Give kittens anthelmintic medicine in a timely manner;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene - wash your hands after playing with your baby, especially before eating, do not allow him to sleep on the dining table or unmade bed.
