Cat worming... any tips?

RosaBernicia

Have failed miserably with new moggie today, he spat the tablet out so many times there wasn't much left so I've given up and will get the vet to do it on Wed when he goes for a booster! Also tried crushing it into food and cheese (which he loves) but he spits that out too so would probably take two days of meals to get a full tablet into him that way.

The shelter say he's OK to worm and he probably is, he didn't explode and hasn't sulked but he wriggles in a panic and I was worried about hurting him. Is there a good way to do this or it is just practice?!

Any hints much appreciated because neither of us want to have to get the vet involved more often than necessary!


Rosa xx

picklepick

I always crush ours into pate, or cat food thats sticky like pate. Then I smear the pate over the cats foot and or nose and it has no choice but to lick it off!

We have tried that shove it in, hold the mouth shut, stroke the throat method and it has worked but she gets so stressed out she won't speak to us for a day after! And that only works if we first put her on a slippy surface, ie the dining table, so she has no grip with her claws. It's definitely a two man job!

KxMx

Why bother with tablets when there are spot-on drops readily available! Yes they are a few £ more than tablets but it is more than worth the extra money.

It can be very traumatic for owner and pet when it comes to forcing them to take tablets- if there is an easier alternative then why put both parties through it.

RosaBernicia

He has already had a wide spectrum spot-on treatment (Stronghold) and the shelter recommended he also have the tablet (Drontal) - from Googling the product names, it seems they treat different types of parasite.

I wouldn't want to give him treatments more than necessary but as he's been at a shelter with cats from all over and in all sorts of states of health, it seems reasonable to try and clear anything he might have picked up.

KxMx

I also use Stronghold (monthly), but have Profender (3 monthly) drops for the worm which the former doesn't cover

As long as you follow the instructions for multi-spot on treatments (I think no more than one in 48 hours, I treat a week apart on the "double" months just in case) there are no interaction issues.

mazza111

I'm afraid sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. I always smear the tablet with a wee bit of butter or marge, towel the cat, open the gob, and shove it as far down the throat as possible.

Been using this method now for approximately 16 years and has always worked. She would even refuse tuna if I put it in there.

RosaBernicia

KxMx wrote: »

I also use Stronghold (monthly), but have Profender (3 monthly) drops for the worm which the former doesn't cover

As long as you follow the instructions for multi-spot on treatments (I think no more than one in 48 hours, I treat a week apart on the "double" months just in case) there are no interaction issues.

Oh thanks KxMx :T :A - will look for that and hopefully spare both of us! The shelter talked so much about how good it was to have Stronghold as a spot on (it must save them sooo much time and vet) I assumed they wouldn't give tablets if there was another option. Of course cost may mean it's not possible for them but I will happily pay a bit extra to save the time and trauma


Rosa xx