Member

Posts: 120
From:West Chester, PA.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-04-2004 07:17 PM         

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I just found very small worms in my Abby's stool. She is 9 months old, a completely indoor kitten and has had no health problems for the past 7 months. Why and how would she get worms now?
I have a vet appt. for her tomorrow.
Any ideas?? I am also concerned that her twin brother, Arnie might get them now, I checked his stool and didnt see anything...yet.
Thanks for the help.....

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Member

Posts: 701
From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-04-2004 07:47 PM         

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Hello. Did they look like grains of rice (when dry)? Roundworms look like spaghetti and tapeworms resemble grains of rice. Both of these can be picked up from the cat's prey (although your cat is indoor, so it's not from prey) and fleas. Roundworms and tapeworms are passed from cat to cat via eggs and larvae in their stools. The cat picks them up on it's coat and paws and then ingests them while grooming. That's where the worm cycle begins and your cat is now infected.

It would be very helpful to the vet if you bring in the stool sample. Just place it in a zip-lock baggy. That way they won't have to do a stool sample there and charge you for it. They will then either give your kitty one pill orally (about $20) or more pills depending on the vet.

[This message has been edited by Chessmind (edited 03-04-2004).]

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Member

Posts: 120
From:West Chester, PA.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-04-2004 07:53 PM         

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Thanks Chessmind. They are tape worms...very small and resemble grains of rice, nothing like spaghetti.

I am still confused as to how she got them. When I called the vets office today, the woman on the phone said it's from fleas, but Abby or Arnie do NOT have fleas. The only possible thing I could think of was when I adopted them at 11 weeks old they had a severe case of fleas and they were both very sick. But since that time they both have been healthy, flea free and worm free.

Guess I will find out tomorrow. Thanks again.....

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Member

Posts: 701
From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-04-2004 08:04 PM         

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You're welcome. Do you apply flea drops like Advantage every month? If you do then you may have brought a flea(s) into the house on your clothing and it got on the cat and then the cat licked it and then it got worms. If you don't then they may have fleas but you may not be aware of it. It only takes one little pesky flea to cause worms.

Since it's tapeworms the vet will give one pill orally to your kitty. I would bring both kitties to the vet and have them both take the pill (just incase the other one has worms too). Your vet bill should not be very much. About $20 for each cat pill and then a possible office visit of about $25-$45. Just don't forget the stool sample or samples of the 'grains of rice.'

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Member

Posts: 120
From:West Chester, PA.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-06-2004 06:06 PM         

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So I took Abby to the vet yesterday, and yes they are tape worms. I took in a stool sample for them (yuck). Anyway, they too check her for fleas and could not find any. Said that it only takes 1 and that I probally brought it into my apt. (double yuck). Anyway, I have alway thought that I would never have to give them Advantage because they are both indoor kitties and do NOT go outside. Turns out I have to give it to both of them now.

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Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 03-07-2004 09:03 PM         

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I wouldn't give it to them unless they get fleas. I don't like putting chemicals on my pets if I don't have to. She might get tapeworms occasionally, but in my opinion with indoor cats it is better to wait until there is a problem. Why put chemicals on them every month when they might get fleas or tapeworms only every 3-4 months?

I did this with my indoor cats in Texas and I only had to treat them occasionally. The dogs were treated monthly b/c they went outside, but the cats were only treated as needed.

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Member

Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 03-08-2004 07:13 AM         

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Animals get worms from a large variety of things.
Food, the ground, water, parasites and bugs, and most are born with them.

Tapeworms come from food and the ground. Hookworms are most common in puppies and kittens. Mostare born with them, but they can get it from wet grass, and dirt.
Round worms are from fleas, and other parasites. they injest them from grooming themselves or other animals.

WOrms are easily treated with medication, and used regularly with infected or not will prevent further infestation.

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Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 03-08-2004 07:13 AM         

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Animals get worms from a large variety of things.
Food, the ground, water, parasites and bugs, and most are born with them.

Tapeworms come from food and the ground. Hookworms are most common in puppies and kittens. Mostare born with them, but they can get it from wet grass, and dirt.
Round worms are from fleas, and other parasites. they injest them from grooming themselves or other animals.

WOrms are easily treated with medication, and used regularly with infected or not will prevent further infestation.

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Member

Posts: 123
From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 03-08-2004 01:56 PM         

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tape worm segments are small and easy to miss. How long ago did you get rid of the fleas?

My kitten had fleas when I got him, but we got rid of them. It was about 5 months before I realized that he had tapeworms. I think he had them all that time and I just wasn't checking.

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Member

Posts: 120
From:West Chester, PA.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-09-2004 06:28 AM         

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My kitties were both 11 weeks old when I adopted them from the SPCA, they were both very sick (high fever, not eating, drinking) AND they had a very sever case of fleas. I had to give them a bath to help get rid of the fleas and after the bath I gave them Advantage, and within 12 hours, no more fleas. They both got better within a week after antibotics, etc. So, they had fleas when they were 3 months old.

They have not had fleas since then.....They both have been to vet twice since they were sick (checkup, their spay/netuer and vaccinations) and I check their stool everyday when I clean their litter box.

I am not thrilled about giving them Advantage even when they dont have fleas, but from what I understand it is a 'preventitive treatment' for fleas. (??) Right?

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Member

Posts: 20
From:By the Bay Calif
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-18-2004 09:06 AM         

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Your kittens probably had the worms from theirs days at the SPCA, then you treated them for fleas but the worms were already there. That's why you had to deworm them now because it was never done. You just never discovered them until now. After treating them for worm, you shouldn't have a problem again if they are a indoor cats.

Get a flea comb that when you comb their fur it traps the fleas if they have them, then just put the fur with the fleas (fleas like the fur as a hiding place so they don't jump away) in a ziplock plastic bag & throw it away. This is how I check my cat for fleas instead using a pesticide, its much safer and just as effective. I combed out all my cats fleas; I just kept on grooming my cat for fleas everyday and soon I couldn't find any fleas left. Once all are combed out, you shouldn't have a flea problem unless there are eggs in your house. But then just keep checking with the flea comb.

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