I need HELP with my cat!!!!!!?

Question

My cat has had worms on and off now for about 1 month. I can't seem to get rid of them. Is there some kind of trick that I don't know about??? Or could it be the food she is eating??? Or what????? I really have no clue what I am doing wrong I follow the directions on the dewormer down to the que and they will go away for a day or 2 then they come back I just don't get it I need someone to help me. And I know someone is probably going to ask well why dont you take your cat to the vet and the answer to that is that I don't have the cash to do it right now. I am trying to get ready to have a baby and I honestly really dont have the cash to do so. So if someone can help me out here and give me some advice or something that I can try I would greatly appreciate it. Thank You..

Answer 1

Hi,
to add to a few other answers you've gotten....there are several types of worms out there. As someone else mentioned, if you are seeing little rice-like white worms, these are tapeworms. If your cat has fleas or eats mice/rabbits, she is going to continue to have the tapeworms, fleas transmit them. Use a quality flea control product (Frontline, Advantage) to prevent the fleas, and usually one or two doses of a product that is specifically for tapeworms.
If you are seeing longer noodle-looking worms in her stool, she may have one of several kinds of intestinal worms. The only way to determine what kind she has is to have a vet do a fecal exam and prescribe the appropriate dewormer.
As someone else mentioned, most pet store/grocery store/over the counter dewormers simply do not work and many also are not safe. Also, tapeworms need a different type of dewormer than the other kinds of worms.
I do understand not having the cash! Fortunately, a fecal exam and dewormer do not cost much! At the clinic where I work we charge $15 for a fecal exam and anywhere from $5 to $10 for a dose of dewormer. Try contacting several different vets and ask about prices for an office call, fecal exam, and deworming. Also try calling a local humane society or animal shelter, often they know the cheapest places around for routine vet care.
Again, please don't try the pet store/grocery store products. At best, they just won't work, at worst, they can make your cat sick. I have even seen some of these products kill pets, especially the cheaper brands of flea control products. Lots of people will say they have used them and they worked fine, etc., but it is a risk you probably don't want to take.
And thank you thank you for not getting rid of your cat since you are pregnant!!!!! MANY people will tell you it isn't safe (due to toxoplasmosis), but as long as you wear gloves or simply wash your hands right after cleaning the litterbox, there is VERY LITTLE risk of having any problems!!! I can't even begin to tell you how many cats I have seen left at shelters due to pregnancy...it just isn't necessary to get of the cat! Good job and good luck!

Answer 2

You MUST take you cat to the vet!! If your cat or any other animal in your house has worms or other illnesses that you don't know about, you could be putting your baby at risk. I don't want to scare you too much with details, but it's not pretty. You need to take your cat to the vet NOW. Tell them you would like to pay on a payment plan, and explain that you're pregnant and money is tight. They will probably understand, and overall it shouldn't cost too much, unless your cat is really sick, and then the cost might be more than money... but you need to find that out asap!

Answer 3

Hi,

I can't help with a remedy for worms, but, hopefully, I can help you with a vet.

There are vets who will treat animals for free or at reduced charges. The best way to start is to call your local shelter and explain your situation. You may also want to try your state's department of agriculture. Some of the pet store chains offer certain veterinary services. It may take you a while and a lot of research to find a vet who will helpd, but I believe you will find one.

I wish you and your cat the best.

Answer 4

If the worms look like little flat, white pieces of rice, they may be tape worms. Tape worms are only seen sometimes, so the fact that you don't always see them doesn't mean they've gone away. Taking kitty to the vet would be the best, but if you can't, look for a medication that treats feline tape worms if the one you've been using does not. (Look for Droncit/Praziquantel.)

Cats that get tape worms tend to get them over and over. The cats get them by ingesting infected fleas, so unless the owner gets the cat on flea prevention, the cat keeps getting the tapes! They are yucky little things!

That being said, don't ever use grocery store/ pet store flea control products on your cat. If you decide to get her on something, make it something SAFE from your vet.

Answer 5

You need a wormer from the vet. Over the counter things wont do it. Knuckle under and get a poop sample to the vet. otherwise your being cruel to your cat. with a kid on the way you want a healthy animal in the house. or don't have an animal at all.

Answer 6

just call the vet and see what they recommend. it may be something she eats out doors if she is allowed to go outside.

Answer 7

make sure the wormer kills both round and tape worms, some only do one. also they can get worms if they hunt and eat birds and mice.

Answer 8

hope you aren't cleaning the litter box yourself. or if you are, you are using gloves and being very careful not to get any on yourself. cat poop can carry a bacteria that is fatal to unborn babies.