The worm looked like a thin maggot. Does anyone know what kind it is? And do I have to take my cat to the vet, or can I get an over the counter med. Can my dog catch it? If I give my dog medication for worms, but doesn't have worms, will it harm her?
Any info is greatly appreciated.
2006-10-14 16:36:28 · 24 answers · asked by rchlpack 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
It's a tapeworm caused from your cat eating fleas. Your dog can get it if he has fleas as well and swallows them or if he gets into the catbox. A liquid wormer will not hurt your dog if you give it to him, but I would get a prescribed wormer from the vet for your cat.
2006-10-14 16:39:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The worm you're describing is a tapeworm (I'm a vet tech). Pets get tapeworms through ingesting fleas. Your dogs will not get the worms from the cat directly, but if the dog has also ingested a flea carrying a tapeworm then he could also have them. The dewormer you need to get to take care of tapeworms is called droncit. If you want to give your cat a broad spectrum dewormer and also take care of the tapeworms, you can request a dewormer called drontal. It is available from your vet. If you have a relationship with them and have an accurate weight on your cat, many vets will probably be willing to dispense the dewormer to you without you having to come in for an office visit. Make sure you treat your pets for fleas (advantage, revolution, or frontline would be the best choices - most of the over the counter products contain pyrethrins which can be toxic to cats so avoid them). If you don't take care of the flea problem, your pets will pick up tapeworms again. I would not recommend using over the counter dewormers for your pets. Most of them are not effective against tapeworms and many are not nearly as safe as those that are available by prescription.
2006-10-14 16:48:29 · answer #2 · answered by aussie dawgs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
White Worm Cat
2016-12-18 09:05:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortuantally..Yes! Especially if your dog has a taste for their (tootsie rolls) sort of speak. Poop to be exact. The worm looking creature are most likely a tape worm. Not to worry..They are so easy to get rid of. One pill from the vet and wala problem solved. Just make sure you clean the litter previously emaculate before the pill given with bleach. You don't want any eggs hanging around. All your problems should surely be sound. Just make sure you send a sample of your pups poo to make sure it is clear as well.
I forgot one thing once the worm appears on your pets anal region it will die soon after. So there is no worries if it falls into your carpet. It's the fleas you need to worry about. Hope this helps ya. Good luck : )
Ps...The most harm the tape worms will do is to deprive your pets of their food in their nutrition. In other words the worms live in the stomach and eat off of the food that the cat/dog eats depriving your pets of good nutrition. Which isnt good but not life threating at first. Deworming is best. The vet is best. I personally dont trust the pet store wormers. Thay are not strong enough. Shelters will also help if your straped for cash/credit. Believe me I know. I am a vet tech with 10 cats and 4 dogs. I've been there. Your problem is not big for now so don't worry just get your one time wormer from the vet and everything should be ok after that. Like others noted fleas injested eated by your pets DO cause tape worm.
Also get some flea protection from spring to fall. Fleas are the parents of the tape worm here! If you stop the flea problem you stop the worm problem. The best is frontline or advantage. Also sweep the dogs/cats bedding/carpet for any flea eggs. If you need to bomb your house for a flea problem make sure you remove all of the animals first and wait until the spray cloud clears before returning them as it will be harmful to you and them and especially to pet birds. Best wishes. Happy to help : ) Good Luck : )
2006-10-14 18:26:13 · answer #4 · answered by michamybelle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes dear, your dog can catch it if he has fleas. Your cat has tapeworm and it is caused by fleas. If left untreated your cat will become very emaciated because the tape worm is getting all the nutrition from it. You need to take the cat to the vet and get it treated. Likewise your dog. If the cat has fleas, so does the dog and therefore will have tape worm also.
2006-10-14 16:57:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your cat has tapeworms. You can take your cat to the vet if you like and they can run a fecal test, or you can just ask them for some tapeworm medicine called "Praziquantel" or "Drontal" (might be called something diff in your area). Yes, it is possible for your dog to get tapeworms too. You can de-worm your dog without knowing if she is infected. It won't harm her if she doesn't have worms. The dog dewormer is called the same as the cat med. Animals get tapeworms either from having fleas or from eating small rodents (mainly mice) that are wormy.
2006-10-14 16:42:21 · answer #6 · answered by Vet_Techie_Girl 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's tapeworm, and the way an animal catches it is by ingesting a flea that has tape worm eggs. The eggs then hatch inside the intestines and start the cycle all over again. Yes your dog can catch it and yes you need to take it to the vet to get medicine to take care of it. Make sure you get rid of the fleas too, or they'll just keep getting tapeworm. Yuck.
2006-10-14 16:41:04 · answer #7 · answered by dolly 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are supposed to have a little "booster" every month against heart worms, ask your vet about that, but as for the contageous-ness of it, that is a very real situation, cats and dogs are very much alike in their imunities and seeinga vet would be a good idea to find out about that worm.
2006-10-14 17:05:41 · answer #8 · answered by Chloe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog might be able to catch that worm from your cat. I would definitely take him/her to the vet, because some worms can be more serious than others. Over the counter meds are great and helpful, but no one knows better than a doctor who majored in that area. Hope this helps!
2006-10-14 16:40:44 · answer #9 · answered by Chrissi 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
That sounds like a tape worm and fleas are the vector for them.. Fleas act as their host, the animals scratches and licks at the itchy spot the flea makes and then swallows the flea. The tape worm continues its growth after it is ingested by the animal. Dogs, cats, people are all susceptible and the treatment can be found at any store that sells pet supplies. Walmart, Target, Price Chopper too I think.
2006-10-14 16:53:51 · answer #10 · answered by Tammy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes to both questions. It's a tape worm, and your dog can absolutely catch it. They are VERY contagious and can make your pets miserably sick. Do not give the dog the medicine, if she doesn't have the worms yet it will make her very upset to her stomach. Take your kitty to the vet
2006-10-14 16:43:23 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋