I started noticing the "rice" looking pieces around my cat's anus/under his tail and then saw the tiny white pieces in his stool. I looked them up online and saw they were pieces of tapeworms, but I haven't been able to locate anything that talks about how harmful it is for the cat. He doesn't have a loss of appetite, weight or dehydration and isn't being lethargic like the symptoms I have read say. Can they ultimately be deadly? I am ordering a tapeworm de-wormer off of 1-800-Petmeds tomorrow, but I was just curious as to more information about them and how serious they are.
2006-11-05 17:19:45 · 10 answers · asked by karen 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi Karen...tapeworms are not deadly more of a nuisance than anything.
The rice segments are 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.)
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.
Source from "A Veterinarian's" answer in Yahoo Answers about who answered this about Tapeworms
2006-11-05 19:34:37 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If this was tapeworms, it's impossible even for your other cats to get them from this cat. Tapes can only be caused by your cat digesting a flea that has the tapeworm eggs. They are not contagious. You give one Droncit tab (get from Vet, or an online pet supplier) for a cat approximately 10 pounds and under. Over ten pounds = 1 1/2 tablet. Some Vets recommend giving it again in three weeks, but this is up for grabs. If you want to be sure, then wait three weeks and give another dose. When one cat has tapes, the others cats don't necessarily get them, unless they have digested a flea with eggs. So, you can either treat all your animals or wait until they show signs. Either way, you'll be OK. What you saw was a segment, not the actual worm. You cannot get worms from your cats, so don't worry.
2016-05-22 02:58:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they're not deadly. If a cat has other health problems, they may certainly contribute to its poor health, but are not of much consequence in an otherwise healthy cat.
Before you make your order, double check that the product you're buying is specifically for tapeworm, as many general 'intestinal wormers' do not cover tapeworm. You want Droncit, Drontal or similar products...look for those with praziquantel as the active ingredient. Better to just give your vet a call...they should sell you the wormer without needing to see your cat.
Also make sure that you're treating your cat for fleas (Frontline, Advantage, etc.), as they are cruicial to the lifecycle of tapeworm (most commonly Dipylidium caninum)...kill off the fleas and the tapeworm is unable to reproduce.
2006-11-05 19:10:44 · answer #3 · answered by Loz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tapeworms are parasites & they are hard to get rid of. I'd bring him to the vet.
2006-11-05 18:10:24 · answer #4 · answered by Daiquiri Dream 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If left untreated they could lead to death of your cat.
Act today rather then tomorrow.
If possible take your cat to the vet for a full check up instead of ordering the medicine.
2006-11-05 19:01:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
take your cat to the vet now! don't waste time waiting for the pet medicine 2 come. just go 2 the vet
2006-11-05 17:46:40 · answer #6 · answered by N i k k i . 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no but theyre disgusting, go down to a pet shop or vets and buy sopme worm tablets, then crush them and out them into his food, the worms will soon go away, fore ever! good luck!
2006-11-05 20:29:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
they are not dangerous, but they can cause malnutrition from the worms eating the contents of the host's stomach/intestines. they are very easy to erradicate.
2006-11-05 17:22:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I was wondering the same thing too yesterday
2016-08-23 10:11:42 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ur cat will become so skinny b/c of the worms eating the food. eventually itll die. worm will stay in there for about 2 years.
2006-11-05 17:26:13 · answer #10 · answered by funkypolak17 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋