My 9 month old kitten has worms in his stool, they look like uncooked rice. What are they?

Question

I looked on line but did not find any pictures like what they look like. They are about 1/4 inch locg, and look like a grain of rice, the only reason I noticed, his stool was really soft so being the mom I looked at it. Good thing! What do I do, the vetcis closed till Tuesday unless it's an emergency.
serious answers only, all others will be reported!

Can we get tape worms from the cat???

Answer 1

Its tapeworms--I had the same thing with my kitten a few months ago--I looked online--there are several different types of worms but as another poster said, tapeworms are the ones that break off in segments and look like either rice or sesame seeds. You might also see them on the kittens behind or in his catbed(mine had a lot in the catbed). The kitten had to have injested fleas to get them and the cycle repeats so make sure the kitten and any other animals you have are treated for fleas monthly. My vet gave me 1 pill for the kitten that dewormed him and I also got one for my other cat just to make sure. Havent seen any tapeworms since then.

Answer 2

It does indeed sound like worms. The best thing that you can do is just wait until tuesday. There are worm medicines that you can give to your kitten that you can buy from walmart, but they aren't all that effective. I'd suggest just waiting until Tuesday. Worms can end up eventually harming your cat, but I'm not sure how much harm will be done if you give your cat over the counter worm medicine and then take him to the vet to get more medicine.
I've heard that it's possible for a human to get tapeworms from their pets, but it's rare. It's normally when a human handles a cats mouth, and then touch their own. Or if they handle the litter box, and then touch their mouth. So make sure you wash your hands often and you'll be perfectly fine.
Worms are a parasite carried by fleas. So definately get rid of the fleas as well. It'd almost be pointless to get your cat dewormed, but still have fleas. I highly suggest buying Frontline. It's not too expensive, but it works wonders. You just put it in the hairline at the back of your cat's neck. If there's fleas on your cat, then there's probably fleas on your carpet, so you might want to go to your vet or local pet store and get some flea spray for your carpet as well because there's a chance that there's fleas and eggs in your carpet.
Good luck!

Answer 3

They are definitely tapeworms. The "rice" pieces you see are segments of the tapeworm that break off. Tapeworms consist of a head segment, which is attached to your kitten, and then numerous "tail" segments that are each an individual worm (each segment has it's own digestive & reproductive system). Your kitten will be fine until Tuesday, but take it to the vet on Tuesday for sure and bring a stool sample with you. Most dewormers you buy in the store do not kill tapeworms (and are not always safe) and neither does any of the heartworm or flea pills that are supposed to control parasites or even the regular dewormer (Strongid) that the vets usually use for routine deworming. Your vet will probably give you a Drontal tablet and it is very effective in killing the tapeworms. Tapeworms are usually contracted through fleas so make sure your cat is treated for fleas and treat any other pets in the home too. Humans can get tapeworms from cats but it is very rare. Usually, when you hear of a human getting a tapeworm, it is from uncooked fish or meat. Wear gloves when you scoop the litter box just to be safe. You would have to actually eat one of the segments to be infected with the worms.

Answer 4

Tapeworms
Tapeworms are long, segmented worms that can live in a pet's small intestine. There are several species of tapeworms. For example, Dipylidium caninum develop as larvae in fleas (the disease carrier) and are transmitted when the cat or dog ingests the fleas while grooming. Taenia tapeworms are transmitted when a dog or cat eats infective eggs, which live in the soil or larvae, which live in small rodents. Taenia infection is more common among hunting dogs and cats.

Tapeworm infection generally causes very little harm to the host animal. Depending on the species, severe infection may cause the following symptoms:

* Abdominal discomfort
* Nervousness
* Severe itching around the anus
* Vomiting
* Weight loss

Diagnosis is made by observing tapeworm segments, which look like rice, in the stool, near the anus, or on the pet's fur.

Treatment usually involves a single dose of praziquantel (e.g., Droncit®, Drontal Plus®, Rintal®, Vercom®). Preventative measures include flea control and, if possible, keeping your pet from hunting rodents.


DO NOT GIVE YOUR CAT GARLIC PILLS!!!!!!!!!!

According to Dr. Randy Kidd, the use of garlic, as well as onions, shallots, and chives, has been shown to cause damage to feline red blood cells which can result in hemolytic anemia and eventual death. Raw garlic and onions can also cause ulcers and irritation of the mouth, esophagus and stomach.

His recommendation: avoid giving garlic and onions to your cat!

After reading about tapeworms I think you will be ok until Tuesday. If you are still nervous call your vet, I'm sure that even though it's the holiday weekend they will be happy to put your mind at ease!

Answer 5

They are tapeworms. Those are the only ones that have segments. Heartworms look like cooked spaghetti. Take him to the vet and have him dewormed. You may have to do it more than once and if you have any other pets, take them too. Worms are easily transmitted. Remember if it's segments, it's definately a tapeworm. Not life threatening (unless he gets a serious infestation which would take a long time), but no fun for the cat either. Good luck!

Answer 6

Are they kind of flat? If so they might be tape worms, Evn if they are not your Kitten will be OK to wait till the vet is open you just may have to clean up after him. My dog had a bad case when she was a pup, Its kind of grose but the vet will give you either some pills or a couple of syringe looking things to give to him twice a day and they will go away within a week. Hope this sets your mind at ease!

Answer 7

Some advice on your question is good, but PLEASE listen to me. i have had a cat foster and rehabilitation service for many years, work in a vet.s office, study animal education and welfare and volunteer at a local shelter. I also have had tons of experience with this problem and took a class on the life cycle of a flea so i know exactally what i am talking about. (i do not know alot about alot, but this i know) DO NOT rely on anything over the counter. Those products simply dio not work. also hookworm and roundworm (which most kittens and puppys are born with) are treated differently then tapeworm, which is most likly what he has. Droxal or Droxet is the only cure available only from a vet. the good news... the pill is only about 10.00 bucks and cures usually with one or two doses. very simlpe just shove it down. the problem will persist though if you do not deflea your cat. tapeworms are caused by fleas. Live fleas. if your cat (or dog) has fleas and grooms herself and swallows a single flea (does not take but one) the flea lays its larva in the cat's intestine to get nourishment and that larva is the tapeworm. what you see is just a segment of the whole part. they can grow as large as the intestine. they come out the anus in segments. do not be alarmed, just get her to the vet. it is very fixable, but you must keep flea preventative on your pets or they will just come back. and...no you can not get tapeworm from your cat. and niether can your other animals if you have any.Unless they lick your cat and swallow a flea or they eat her poop. these worms do come out in segments and hang around the butt area and can get in your bedding and carpet, though. many many cats including almost all that I have fostered have had tapeworms because people rely on over the counter flea medicine and it does not work and in some cases can kill your pet. get Revolution it kills fleas, ticks, worms (not tapeworm, remember that is treated differently) ear mites, and includes heartgaurd. It is about 12.00 a tube and you need to apply every 30 days. just ask your vet. good luck

Answer 8

Tape worms. The "pieces of rice" are actually segments of the tape worm body that are filled with tape worm eggs. They are essentially tape worm egg pockets. Gross, huh? Go to the vet and have your cat seen... they'll prescribe a topical dewormer or a tablets.

Answer 9

Could possibly be tapeworms. The link has a lot of good information. If it is tapeworms, then you'll also have to worry about fleas since tapeworm eggs need to be ingested by flea larvae to grow. I would get a stool sample and get it and the kitten into the vet asap.

Answer 10

Tape worm. Get him to the vet asap for treatment. Tape worms stop your cat from being able to absorb nutrients from any food they eat and can kill them. My cat had one that she caught from a field mouse she ate and we didn't know until she got very skinny and her hair began to fall out. The vet gave her an oral med and a shot and she safely passed the worm about 24 hours later. She's been fine since.