Do Cats Poop Out Dead Worms After Being Dewormed with Profender?
Many cat owners wonder what to expect after administering a deworming treatment like Profender. A common question is:
Do cats excrete dead worms in their stool after treatment? The answer is yes—it's not unusual to observe this as the worms are expelled from the body once killed by the medication.
Understanding Profender Dewormer
Profender is a prescription-only topical solution that contains two active ingredients:
emodepside and
praziquantel. It's designed to treat and control common feline intestinal parasites:
- Hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme)
- Roundworms (Toxocara cati)
- Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis)
This spot-on treatment is applied to the skin at the base of the cat’s skull and begins working quickly to eliminate adult and immature worms.
How Profender Works
Emodepside and praziquantel have different mechanisms of action:
- Emodepside interferes with the worm's neuromuscular system, leading to paralysis and death of roundworms and hookworms.
- Praziquantel disrupts the parasite’s outer layer, killing tapeworms and allowing them to be digested or expelled.
After application, most cats show improvement without additional doses. However, if reinfection occurs, redosing may be necessary after 30 days.
What to Expect After Deworming
Visible dead worms in the stool are a common and expected outcome after deworming. Here's what you might observe:
- Dead or dying worms passed in feces, especially within the first 48 hours of treatment.
- Worm segments (particularly tapeworms) may appear as rice-like or noodle-like pieces.
- Occasional loose stool or mild gastrointestinal upset during the expulsion process.
Seeing worms in the stool confirms that the medication is effective.
Safe and Proper Use of Profender
To ensure safety and effectiveness:
- Choose the correct tube size based on your cat’s weight.
- Apply only to intact, dry skin—not broken or wet areas.
- Prevent pets from licking the site until it’s dry (around 1 hour).
- Separate treated pets temporarily to avoid cross-licking.
Follow all instructions carefully and consult your veterinarian with any concerns.
Side Effects and Precautions
Most side effects are mild and self-limiting:
- Excessive grooming or licking
- Scratching at the application site
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Lethargy or agitation
- Temporary hair loss at the site
Notify your veterinarian if symptoms are severe or persistent.
Precautions:
- Do not use on cats under 8 weeks or under 2.2 lbs
- Use with caution in debilitated or heartworm-positive cats
- Not intended for other species
- Pregnant women should avoid direct contact during application
Enhancing Parasite Control
Deworming is only part of a broader health plan. To reduce reinfection and improve health outcomes, consider these practices:
- Clean litter boxes regularly
- Prevent your cat from hunting or consuming rodents
- Use flea control products to reduce tapeworm risk
- Maintain regular veterinary checkups and fecal exams
Benefits of Topical Deworming
Profender offers several advantages over oral dewormers:
- Ease of use — no need to put a pill in your cat’s mouth
- Fast action — parasites are typically expelled within a few days
- Comprehensive coverage — effective against three types of parasites
Conclusion
Seeing dead worms in your cat's poop after using Profender can be a bit alarming—but it's actually a good sign that the treatment is doing its job. By understanding what to expect and carefully following application instructions, you ensure the treatment's success. Profender provides a simple, stress-free way to protect your cat from a variety of intestinal parasites and contribute to a healthier, worm-free environment for your pet and household. Always speak with your veterinarian for personalized advice and ongoing parasite control strategies.
