Does my cat have worms??eww...?

Question

So my cat threw up a hairball this morning and there was something in it, looked just like an earthworm, but much smaller diameter.

Anyways, does this mean she has worms? And what can I do for her? She has a vet appt. on Thursday, can she wait until then? She seems fine.

Answer 1

Worms that affect cats generally are in the intestinal tract. For this reason, the actual worms won't show up in a cat's vomit but rather in their feces. It is highly unusual to see worms coughed up in a hairball. It's more likely that your cat ate some string or a rubberband or something that appears to be a worm that was not digested. Again, worms don't live in the stomach, they live in the intestinal tract. I think your cat will be fine. Hairballs are totally normal in cats. You might want to help relieve the hairballs but brushing her more regularly and offering a hairball remedy like Petromalt.

Answer 2

Go with the appointment. I am not sure that there is a contagious worm that looks like an earthworm. Could she have eaten one outside. Most common worms in cats are tapeworm and roundworm. Tapeworm you usually see little white worms on the anus and round worms look like spaghetti in the feces. Although, I could be wrong. If possible save the hairball in the freezer in a Ziploc bag and take to the vet when you go. At least he could look at it and see what it is.

Answer 3

Was it moving? Because it is unlikely that an earthworm would suvive long in a cat's stomach!

Earthworms don't look like the sort of worms cats are usually bothered with, which are white - you get roundworms and tapeworms round, and you get flat ones called flatworms. If your cat has any sgns of loosing weight or is nibbling round its bottom if its itchy, thats when you should get it dewormed (notexpensive), but I don't think you have anything to worry about!

Answer 4

She should be fine until then. The vet will give you a medication that will help kill the worms. I don't know if this is good for cats but when my dog has worms we usually give her garlic to get rid of the worms. I wish you and you cat the best of luck getting rid of the worms :)

Answer 5

If it looked like spaghetti it was more than likely a roundworm, but if it looked like fettucini (gross comparisons, I know) then it was a tapeworm. Either way, yes your cat has worms (unless its just a piece of string), and will need to go to the vet to have a fecal examination done to discover exactly what kind of worm, and how bad the infestation is. Then your vet can prescribe a dewormer.

Answer 6

The big problem with worms is that the cat will get really skinny. If the cat seems to be normal weight, then it's probably not worms.

Answer 7

sounds like it could be roundworms, they look a bit like spaghetti & twist & curl around into a circular form - does it sound like that? Vet should be able to determine and prescribe accordingly - be sure you tell vet in detail about what you saw in the throwup - color, dimension, length, whether moving or not. usually they prescribe a dewormer & you need to repeat it again in a few weeks - don't fail to do that; roundworms if left untreated can migrate in the body & can even cause blindness. They are common & easily & inexpensively treated with medications like pyrantal pamoate (brands like strongid, nemex, etc. )

Answer 8

SOunds like worms but if u have a appt. on Thursday u can wait:)

Answer 9

She most likely has worms. The vet will give you some Strongid. The kitty will be ok-just watch out because you can get worms from your feline friend! =-) Stay away from the cats butt and if you happen to touch her tail alot just wash your hands.... you just never know!

Answer 10

usually when cats have worms they are white and really small, and it usaully is a lot not just one, but to make sure take him to the vet and they can give you some worm meds for cats, but i doubt it, keep watching to see if he throws up anymore and also watch his poop because that really indicates they have worms too.