Tapeworm problem

[gritsar]

When we got KiKi, our siamese, from the shelter back in June, '09 she was in horrible condition. One of the first things I noticed was that she had tapeworms. I saw the segments in her stools. The vet gave me tablets - I believe it was Droncit? to give her and our other cat, Kitty. KiKi did some better.
A couple months later I noticed tapeworm segments in KiKi's stool again, so the vet gave me two more tablets - one for KiKi, one for Kitty. I don't have the medication envelope, but I believe this time the med. started with a "P".
Last night I noticed the tapeworm segments again.

We're going to take KiKi to the vet, but I can't figure out why she isn't getting rid of the tapeworms. Kitty's stools are fine. We don't have any fleas, which I believe is how they get the tapeworms in the first place?
We gave her the pills wrapped in a dollop of cream cheese, since we've found that's the easiest way to get the cats to take a pill. I don't see how the cream cheese could have prevented absorption of the med.
Any thoughts?

 

[bantamsrus]

Do your cats go outside? They also can get tapeworms from eating mice or rabbits (they are different types of tapeworms)--but your cats would be just re-infecting themselves each time they have a "snack"

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Nope, they are strictly indoor cats. Our pup is medicated with Comfortis for fleas. Haven't seen a flea since we got him last June.

 

[onthespot]

I worm with strongid goat wormer for tapes, but you have to do it three days in a row to kill them.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I use Virbac. 1/2 tab treats 11 pounds and lasts for 3 months. Every 3 months I repeat.

 

[Love my Critters!]

The Droncit will kill tapeworms. Cats reinfest themselves by eating a flea or anything that has a flea on it. All it takes is for them to swallow one flea and they can get tapes. Check them over really well for fleas.

 

[onthespot]

Yes, cats can get tapes from eating their prey. Constant re-infection source. My dogs get consantly re-infected from eating the cat poo in my back yard. Lots of feral cats around here and no way to keep them from pooing in my yard, so I just worm the dogs when I see fragments, or if they just look or feel not right.

 

[ranchhand]

I have some Cestex right now, which I think is the same as Droncit. Either way, they both require one pill, then another one 2-3 weeks later. Since you're not getting that second dose that may be the problem. Ask the vet's office to check. And keep in mind even one flea can bring it to them. And even though that flea is dying on Jax it may still be getting to a cat.

Good luck, it's a never-ending battle here.

 

[gritsar]

Thanks. I'm going to make sure the vet gives me at least two doses this time.

 

[Skyesrocket]

That does seem strange to have a reoccuring problem with tapes without fleas. Could the cat be catching mice in the house that you aren't aware of? Or maybe she has a hiding spot somewhere that she is picking up the dried segments in? Like in a wall?
I remember my vet giving one of my cats a shot for tapes. I wonder if the shot would work better?