Hook Worms or Round Worms or are they the same thing?

Question

My cat has some sort of worms that are coming out of her behind. They're small (of course), white, and look sort of like little pieces of rice that squirm around. Are these hook worms or round worms or are they the same thing? Also, she's leaving little bits of what looks like sesame seeds wherever she sleeps - are these eggs? I've bought a package of Sergeant's Worm-Away to put in her food but haven't seen any progress so far. Any suggestions? I know....a trip to the vet, right?

Answer 1

Hookworms and roundworms are NOT protozoa...they are PARASITES. You are seeing tapeworms. The stuff you bought is NOT going to work and can make your cat VERY ill...and it probably does not cover tapeworm.
Luckily, the tapewormer the vets prescribe went OTC a couple years ago. You can get it in many pet supply stores...it is called TRADEWINDS. They are tablets like you would get at the vet..the same ingredient as Droncit. They come three tablets to a bottle and the number you give is based on the cats weight.
Tapeworms come from fleas, so make sure that is not a problem or it is pointless to treat the tapes. Treat fleas, THEN tapes.
Cornell says the TRADEWINDS wormer is SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. It is not as cheap as the stuff you bought, but it will work!!!!!! ANd it will save a trip to the vet....which wouldn't be a bad idea!!!

And if you are treating fleas...use Advantage or Frontline....not cheap crap from the store!!!! It is also safer and more effective!!!

Answer 2

Neither. Those are tapeworm. Apparently kitty injested a flea as that is the only way to get tapeworm. What you are seeing on her behind and in her bedding is actually 'sections' of the tapeworm. They come off and the worm grows more. Whether to go to the vet or not depends on your vet. Some will make you provide a stool sample and all that silly stuff, but some will just know what it is and sell you the pill. What you need is a tablet of Droncit which is only sold through a vet because it is a prescription. The pill itself is less than 5 dollars most places. Get the pill, give it to kitty and get some frontline or advantage to treat the fleas. Forget that over the counter stuff, you're just wasting your money. Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi there...the rice-like segments you are seeing is tapeworms. Round worms and hook worms are two different types of protozoas. Tapeworms are caused by ingesting fleas. Any vet can confirm this fact.

Most over the counter dewormers are not as effective as the medication the vets prescribe. A visit to the vet would be best. Consider ringing them to schedule an appointment.

Hookworms: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/hookworms.html
Roundworms: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/roundworms.html
Tapeworms: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/tapeworms.html