Despite having all rescue cats (currently nine!), I've actually never had a cat test positive for parasites before. But I realize sometimes tests are wrong too. I have a bit of a baffling situation here.
I trapped and took in a feral cat (Frank) in March. Frank was treated with Revolution on March 13 when he had his TNR medical. He had tapeworm which Revolution doesn't cover, but he had to be shaved bald due to extremely severe matting, so the vet didn't want to further irritate his skin. They applied the Revolution and gave me Profender to apply at home when his skin calmed down (and when he was handle-able, as he was very feral). During the first half of April (I didn't note the date unfortunately, but less than 30 days after the Rev), I treated him with the Profender. It all got applied and he didn't freak out or anything so he definitely got the full dose. I gave him a different litterbox and all fresh litter.
So now it's July and he needed wellness bloodwork for an upcoming dental, and I brought in a fecal sample as well. Well, no more tapeworm, but turns out he's got hookworm, and I am absolutely baffled. BOTH Revolution and Profender kill hookworms. He got clean, fresh litterbox and litter. He was 100% segregated from the other cats until well after he was treated...April 26 was the first time he would've had access to other litterboxes. None of the other cats have been outside since 2018, and they've all had clear fecals in the past (granted, not tested recently since they don't go out).
What in the world gives here? Did the Rev/Profender combo *still* somehow miss the hookworms? Or do my other cats somehow have them and passed them to Frank even though it's been literally years since any were outside and they've all tested negative? I'm just really confused about this.
FWIW, Frank will be getting Drontal from his vet (although they only gave two tabs and they should've given three as he is 11 lbs), and I have 18 doses of Revolution on their way here. My plan is to give Frank the Drontal as prescribed AND about a week after the first Drontal dose also give him Revolution (I checked...this is deemed safe and effective), AND give the other eight Revolution on the same day as Frank gets the Drontal, AND give all nine of them a second dose of Revolution in 30 days, as well as putting out ALL new litterboxes and litter throughout the house on the same day as everyone gets their first dose. But I'm also wondering, should I use disposable litterboxes for a week or so after everyone gets their first dose? Or will it be okay if I just put out new right away?
Any thoughts/advice on this entire situation would be appreciated.
I trapped and took in a feral cat (Frank) in March. Frank was treated with Revolution on March 13 when he had his TNR medical. He had tapeworm which Revolution doesn't cover, but he had to be shaved bald due to extremely severe matting, so the vet didn't want to further irritate his skin. They applied the Revolution and gave me Profender to apply at home when his skin calmed down (and when he was handle-able, as he was very feral). During the first half of April (I didn't note the date unfortunately, but less than 30 days after the Rev), I treated him with the Profender. It all got applied and he didn't freak out or anything so he definitely got the full dose. I gave him a different litterbox and all fresh litter.
So now it's July and he needed wellness bloodwork for an upcoming dental, and I brought in a fecal sample as well. Well, no more tapeworm, but turns out he's got hookworm, and I am absolutely baffled. BOTH Revolution and Profender kill hookworms. He got clean, fresh litterbox and litter. He was 100% segregated from the other cats until well after he was treated...April 26 was the first time he would've had access to other litterboxes. None of the other cats have been outside since 2018, and they've all had clear fecals in the past (granted, not tested recently since they don't go out).
What in the world gives here? Did the Rev/Profender combo *still* somehow miss the hookworms? Or do my other cats somehow have them and passed them to Frank even though it's been literally years since any were outside and they've all tested negative? I'm just really confused about this.
FWIW, Frank will be getting Drontal from his vet (although they only gave two tabs and they should've given three as he is 11 lbs), and I have 18 doses of Revolution on their way here. My plan is to give Frank the Drontal as prescribed AND about a week after the first Drontal dose also give him Revolution (I checked...this is deemed safe and effective), AND give the other eight Revolution on the same day as Frank gets the Drontal, AND give all nine of them a second dose of Revolution in 30 days, as well as putting out ALL new litterboxes and litter throughout the house on the same day as everyone gets their first dose. But I'm also wondering, should I use disposable litterboxes for a week or so after everyone gets their first dose? Or will it be okay if I just put out new right away?
Any thoughts/advice on this entire situation would be appreciated.