When will the worms come out of the cat after deworming? - briefly
The exact time for worms to leave a cat's body after deworming can vary depending on several factors, including the type of worm and the specific medication used. Generally, it takes between 12 to 48 hours for the worms to be expelled from the cat's system following treatment.
When will the worms come out of the cat after deworming? - in detail
The timeline for worm expulsion in cats following deworming can vary depending on several factors, including the type of worm, the specific deworming medication used, and the individual cat's physiology. It is important to note that not all worms will be visible or immediately expelled after treatment.
For intestinal worms such as roundworms (Toxocara cati) and hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme), the deworming medication typically kills the adult worms within the cat's intestines. The dead worms are then passed out of the body through the feces, usually within 24 to 72 hours after administration of the drug. However, some cats may not show any visible signs of worm expulsion at all. This does not necessarily mean that the treatment was ineffective; rather, it indicates that the worms were eliminated internally without being visible in the feces.
In the case of tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum or Taenia taeniaeformis), the deworming medication works by paralyzing the segments of the tapeworm, causing them to detach from the main body and be passed out in the feces. This process may take several days to a few weeks after treatment for all segments to be expelled. It is not uncommon for cat owners to see no visible evidence of worms in the first few days post-treatment, but this does not indicate that the medication has failed.
It is also worth mentioning that some types of worms, such as heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis), are not expelled through the feces after deworming. Instead, they are killed within the cat's bloodstream and eventually break down and are absorbed by the body.
In summary, while the exact timeline for worm expulsion in cats can vary, it is generally expected that intestinal worms will be passed out of the body within 24 to 72 hours after deworming, and tapeworm segments may take several days to a few weeks. The absence of visible worms in the feces does not necessarily mean that the treatment has been ineffective; it is essential to follow your veterinarian's advice regarding post-treatment care and monitoring.