How long can a cat go without getting treatment for worms?

Question

I just noticed my cat has little rice like looking worms coming out of her butt. I dont get paid till the end of the month, but i'm wondering how long can they go without getting treatment. I cant even guess how long she's had them. What are they doing inside her, does it hurt them. Also i know i can take her to the vet but i would think that would cost to much is there some store medicine i can just but them...im in the bay area, california if that helps on were i can go and buy some.

im getting nervous just cause i've been noticing she's been thowing up more. but i did also just start giving her wet food instead of the dry stuff. So im not sure if its cause of the worms or just the food change.

1st: i didnt ask this question so you people can judge me! its a legitament question. so dont make it sound like im neglection my animal

2nd: i usually do have money for them and i have gone without stuff cause they need a check up or shots or flea medicine, this month i had to many unexpected bills come up and cant get back on my feet until next month. so dont try and make me sound like i dont give a $hit about my cats. if i didnt i wouldnt have even asked the question.

Answer 1

Relax, hun. :-)

Some of us are here to actually HELP.

Those sound like tapeworm segments (proglottids.) They won't make a cat sick....they are more of just a nuisance than anything, especially since you can see them come out. (The worms you can't see in the stool are the ones to worry about, because they are the ones that can kill.)

I haven't read all the answers yet, but from your additional info, I don't think I have to in order to tell you that people probably gave you lots of bad/WRONG (not to mention uncaring) advice.

Of course the worms should be treated. They are a parasite, and shouldn't be there. But the treatment for THIS particular parasite can certainly wait if circumstances beyond your control dictate that other bills must be paid first. It's not like she has a broken leg and is in pain, or has a disease that will cause her to die if not immediately treated.

The good news is that just about any veterinarian will sell you the medication for tapeworms without even seeing your pet, as long as you can provide an accurate weight. Cestex, Droncit, or Drontal are the preferred medications. A single dose is 98-99% effective against tapeworms, but many DVMs will recommend repeating the dosage in 2-3 weeks. Drontal is more expensive than the other 2, but best if you can swing it....since it also works against hookworms and roundworms (which are VERY dangerous to your cat.) Depending on where you live, the cost is generally only around $12-20 per dose.

You need to also address your flea situation (you do have a flea situation, even if you don't realize it), or your cat will just keep getting tapeworms over and over. They are not directly transmissable between cats.

Take a deep breath, and please try to ignore the ignorant. It's obvious to those of us who tend to pets that you want to take care of your cat, and were only asking for help.


ETA: 1. Tapeworms don't generally show up on a fecal flotation test. They are diagnosed by physically seeing them in the stool or around the tail/anal area.
2. The logic of testing/medicating now and doing an exam later escapes me. In this case, an examination is not required....but if it were, the purpose of the exam is to assess the ability of the pet to handle any particular medication(s.) Doing that after the fact would make no sense.
3. Droncit (and other drugs) obtained from Internet sites like the one mentioned are often counterfeit product or from foreign countries with poor quality control. There's a REASON they're so cheap. You get what you pay for. Please don't waste your money.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Tape worms. There are two different types; one type they get from ingesting fleas and the other type would be from ingesting a mouse or bird. Both types are very curable. Try this. Call your vet, ask if you could drop off a stool sample. They will run a simple test called a fecal floatation, and tell you that your cat has tested positive for tape worms, maybe others, but definetly tape worms. This test should cost about $20. The medication they will then give you to treat this condition should be around $10 or so. If you can't afford that, ask if they will accept a post dated check. If they want to examine the cat, ask if you can do the test and medication now, and then have the examination done at the end of the month. I wish you the best of luck!!

Answer 4

The pill for worms only cost a few dollars. You don't need an appointment. Most vets will sell it to you if you just stop by. Depending on Thee size of your cat, she can become very sick in just a little bit of time. You certainly can't wait until the end of the month. It's only the 4th today. Hertz Pet Supplies makes a wormer, but I have heard some pretty bad things about that company and the cost would be about the same as just picking something up at your vet

Answer 5

Cat may be throwing up from the food. Go back to dry. If it still throws up, you can get worm medicine at most grocery, super stores, or pet supply stores..

Follow directions carefully and do it ASAP. One of the instructions is not to give to an obviously sick cat. If she has lost noticeable weight, probably should take it to a vet. Often there some who help low income people at reduced rates. Check with your local SPCA for referalls.

AND AS For all these people in judgement of you, Blow it out your ears. Ever hear of priorities? My cats have always eaten, even when I had to ration my food for a couple days. And I haven't been to a doc in about 8 years. So, stuff it. No cat of mine has died or even gotten very sick from disease. Most have never seen a vet in my care. And I have never had one run away, so I must be doing something right.

Answer 6

I'm with checking to see if your vet will do delayed payment. Your cat will probably survive with the worms until the end of the month. The risk is that she could have the infestation become worse, or have other adverse health benefits, that will be more serious (and costly) if you wait.

Seriously, give your vet a call tomorrow and discuss with them. Even if they say that they won't take delayed payment, they can give you a better assessment of how serious a delay will be.

My gut feeling is that the vomiting is more likely from the food change than from the worms, for what it's worth.

Answer 7

It sounds like tape worm segments are coming out. If they are moving that's another story. So there are different medications for different types of worms. Don't you have a friend who might know? There are a lot of rescue organisations here in the Bay area - they are usually advertising in the paper to place cats in homes. Maybe someone would be able to give you some advice. They usually know the best low-cost way to do things.

Answer 8

Rice like worms are tapeworms and they come from fleas. As soon as you get paid I would get your cat a flea product to combat the fleas and then get a dewormer . Do not get ones from over the counter(they usually do NOT work and you waste your money), get products from your vet. Although they are a little more expensive they take care of the problems.

Answer 9

I would just like to add to the advice regarding flea prevention. Not only should you avoid grocery store products because they are largely ineffective, but you should also avoid them because they can be very dangerous for cats.

At the emergency animal hospital I work at, we see several cats every month come in twitching or having seizures after their well-meaning owners posion them with OTC flea products. Make sure to use a product that your veterinarian recommends. Frontline and Revolution are two quality products you can ask your vet about.

Answer 10

This makes me sad. What if you were the one with the worms? Would you wait until the end of the month before you got help? I doubt it, why would you put your animal thru that? Animals have feelings too. Take your cat to the vet. They'll understand.

*edit*: How else would you want a bunch of people to respond when you write that you want to wait 20+ days before taking your animal to vet when s/he is in pain. Sounds kind of sadistic to me. Sorry! But you wrote the question, we just answer, this is how this site works.