What kind of worm is this?

Question

I recently found out that my cats have worms. All 3 of them! I know they're worms but I don't know what kind, I've treated them for roundworms, with over the counter Hartz medicine. Anyways, what kind of worms do they have so I can properly treat them (with over the counter medication)? They are only ever around my cat's butts... they're white and don't seem to have any texture, just look like white drips of something. When one falls and I look at it, it moves... it sometimes gets long and skinny, and sometimes it shrinks and gets fat. Are these tapeworms?
http://www.kvvet.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=20701&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D198%26Tree%3D%2CComplete%20Catalog&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D123%26Tree%3D0%2CPet&2=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D49%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D1%2CWormers&HSLB=False&mscssid=48C420BD63554727876CA5496B1852EF -- Will that work well to treat them if they are tapeworms?

I can't afford to take them to the vet. It would cost $150 just to walk in the door, then it would cost about $30 each for treatment.

My cats don't have fleas, maybe they've had worms a while and I didn't know until now... I live way out in the country, and my cats are indoor cats.

But my dog was definitely infested with fleas a short while back and I got every pet in the house treated for fleas, minus the hamster and bird of course. The fleas are under control but it looks like they left a little something behind.

Ok and to the english person, my cat already broke its leg very severely, broke the joint right off, fractured his tailbone, and broke his knee as well. I paid for it. I can take care of my animals, I just don't think I want to spend over $200 for something that I could possibly get over the country for $20. It's looking as if I will have to take at least one to the vet and get meds for the rest at the same time. So, don't tell me I have no right in keeping pets. I do for them what I can and what I have to. I was trying to save money.

Answer 1

Yes this is Tapeworm. Its actually the eggs and not the tapeworm itself. But it does mean your cats have got tapeworm in their gut. These white worm like this are a sac of thousands of tapeworm eggs. they move about a while then dry up and look like grains of rice. You should have noticed this already. Will be found in popular sleeping areas. You really do need to get the treatment from the vets. Over the counter treatments at pet shops / stores really dont work very well no matter how good they claim to be. Get the tablets from the vet.

Answer 2

Go to 1800petmed.com. Look under "health" then "wormers" Look for "strongid" It is a potant wormer that will take care of your problem. Hartz products and other over the counter products will not work. As a matter of fact, hartz products kill tens of thousands of animals each year!!!! Stay away from it. Try to schedule an appointment at your vet one cat at a time. By the way, most vets (if they are any good) will see one of your cats and give you enough medicine for all of them. But the strongid will work. It's what the vet would most likely use. There are other wormers available, but this one should do the trick. It's 10.00 a dose, you will need three of them. But its still cheaper than a vet visit. But do try to get your cats seen. If anything, just one at a time so it's more affordable, or talk to your vet about possible payments. Good luck

Answer 3

Do a web search for tapeworm picture. But you will need a vet to identify and provide medication. Maybe a cat rescue group in your area can direct you to a low cost clinic or veterinarian who will give you a break on price. But even if you treat a pet for tapeworms, if you don't get rid of the fleas in the carpet, etc or they will come right back. Use a flea comb to get fleas off your pet and drop the fleas or tapeworms from the comb in alcohol to kill them. Don't let your pet outside to obtain more fleas.

Answer 4

If your cats have had fleas, it most likely is tapeworm. If you've already given them something for rounds, wait and see it that took care of the problem. I don't recommend over the counter products for internal parasites. You must be very careful of what you are giving them, some de-wormers are good for cats, other only for dogs. Most of the over the counter stuff doesn't really work permanently. For cats we use Droncit, which works very well. Check out the on-line pet suppliers, you may be able to order Droncit. Carefully read the label and administer according to the dosage on the bottle. I suggest you take a fecal sample to your vet who will know for sure which type of worm and the proper medication. Again, I wouldn't be loading my cats up with over the counter stuff for worms.....it certainly sounds dangerous to me. I'm familiar with the product to are referring to.

Answer 5

Tapeworm segments look like grains of rice and your cats will shed the segments. You shouldnt try to treat with over the counter medication as it wont work as well as a prescription treatment you can get from your vet you should get them treated right away because tapeworms are zoonotic which means they can infect people. Do your cats have fleas? that's often how they get tapeworms.

Answer 6

most priviate vet's will only charge 25 pound for a vist to there vet's and the treatment is only around 2 pound's this is in london i don't know where u are from but if anywhere in the uk it is around the same amount , and if u can not afford vet bill's then u have no right in keeping a cat or any other animal u alway's have to be ready in case they need treatment what if it was a broken leg ?? do u have a spare 1000 pound? get pet insurance over the counter stuff is crap it dosn't work and given wrongly it can make ur animal sick

Answer 7

If they are small like the size of a grain of rice, they are tape worms. My cat had them. All they do is give them a couple of shots, and they're good to go. It costs about $40. They probably got them from fleas. Hope I helped you out. Don't worry, your cats will be fine. Just take them to the vet.

Answer 8

Yes they are tapeworms. You should take your cat to the vet for treatment.

Answer 9

the vets use droncite or drontal tablets to treat tapeworms which is th most effective. You can get these "OTC" for much cheaper than the vet has them for. Try www.drsfostersmith.com

Answer 10

sounds like pin worms but there is an over-the-counter medicine that will treat all different types. It takes it awhile to work and then you need to retreat in two weeks.