My cats have worms and I bought medicine for them, it said it's for round worms. Is it the same as heart worms? How can I tell which worms my cats even have? PLEASE don't say to go to the vet. I WOULDN'T be here asking if I had the money to ask a vet. Basically, it's little white things that come out the cats anus. I found out yesterday that my pregnant cat has this affliction as well. She should be giving birth in 1-2 weeks. Is it all right to give her the medicine as well?
2007-07-14 08:43:26 · 8 answers · asked by Andrea C 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Heartworms are in their heart. If you've seen worms in the stool then this is not heartworms, they don't show up in the stool. The only way to test for heartworms is a blood test. It could be whipworms, tapeworms or hookworms though and to tell the difference you'd have to go to the vet.
If you can't afford a vet to get your cat vaccinated and spayed and medicated then you should not have your cat. I suggest taking her to the nearest animal shelter.
2007-07-14 08:47:45 · answer #1 · answered by altaira 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
A vet can tell what worms are in a cat by a sample of the poop--I think the test costs $4 here, you can at least call the vet and ask what they charge for a stool exam.
Heartworms are what dogs get, they're gotten from mosquitoes, very very few cats get heartworms.
Round worms are thin spagetti looking worms that come out in the poop, they're between 1 inch and 4 inches long. Tapeworms are little segments of cream or white looking things that, when they dry, look like grains of rice.
If you treat for the wrong worm, you're hurting the cat because their systems can't take the wrong medication for the wrong things. Treating a pregnant cat may not be an option -- you can call the vet and ask him the question on that. They don't charge for telling you things over the phone you know.
DON'T treat for worms if you aren't sure which kind it is. And most treatments found in the grocery stores or pet supply stores are either the wrong dose (they don't say what weight the cat needs to be to get the size dose they recommend!) or the product could be expired.
It's NOT expensive to treat for worms with what the vet can give you. At least call them and ask. Especially about them checking a stool sample.
2007-07-14 12:41:40 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Tape worms are flat and white (and humans can get them so wash your hands) Round worm also live in the intestines. Heart worms do not, so it is unlikely that these are heart worms. Unfortunately, even the best medication given by vet's (Advantage 18) cures heart, hook, round worm, mites and fleas, but doesn't get rid of tape worms. I use Advantage 18 every month, and Cestenex for tape worms every month. You could go try several different store bought medications and end up spending as much money as you would at the vet! Our vet lets us bring in a worm (in a ziploc please) or stool sample to diagnose which medicine is needed and get advice on pregnant cats, without the office call. Good luck! Also if you are in the city, go to a small town vet to save $, they are much cheaper!
2007-07-14 08:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by i_8_the_canary 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Heart worms are something that you will never see....
That leaves the two most common forms of worms that will be noticed..Round Worms and Tape Worms.
Roundworms are as named, large round worms that sometimes are passed out alive or dead....These are usually large(several inches long) and resemble a piece of spaghetti...Very common, very easy to treat with medicine from Walmart or Pet Store...Should be treated for at least twice per year even if they are not noticed...Would be fine and should be treated before and after kittens are born.
Tapeworms are large worms that are usually passed in little segments that resemble small moving pieces of rice...These worms are caused from fleas, are very large, have huge appetites and can run down a momma cat quickly...These can ONLY BE TREATED BY A VET....Do not believe any package that says it will kill a Tapeworm....Don't waste your money...Little rice kernels=Vet visit...
Hookworms and Pin worms are also common, but not usually visible....
GOOD LUCK, TREAT THOSE WORMS!!!
2007-07-14 09:01:17 · answer #4 · answered by Not Just A Pig Farmer 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well Heartworms attack a dog's heart.. Round worms attack their stomach wall and come out occasionally in their poop.. They are very different worms.. if it's coming out the anus.. then it's not heartworm.. You should see the vet and get the worms properly diagnosed before you give any medication.
2007-07-14 08:47:25 · answer #5 · answered by DP 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heartworms stay in the heart. A cat wont live long with 1 heartworm but dogs can live with up to 100 in their heart. Roundworms are an intestinal parasite. The kittens will have to be dewormed once they are born because they will have them if the mothere cat has them. Im sure it wouldnt hurt the mother cat to be dewormed while she is still preg.
2007-07-14 09:05:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
heart worms are not the same as roundworms are not the same because the heart worms stick on to the heart and give the cat heart problems
2007-07-14 08:49:32 · answer #7 · answered by Cody F 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if they are little white things they may be tapes - those come from fleas. rounds look like spaghetti.
heart worms are in the heart & cats do get them too but you won't see them
there are very dangerous intestinal parasites that can only be seen under a microscope - they can kill.
safe or not should be on the label.
when you can't afford to provide for your pets you shouldn't have them. allowing pets to reproduce when we are killing millions every year in shelters is just irresponsible. not providing veterinary care is criminal
2007-07-14 08:53:15 · answer #8 · answered by sadiejane 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It sounds like your cat has tapeworms. In that case you need to get medication from your vet.
2007-07-14 08:52:53 · answer #9 · answered by little_boones 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
roundworm come out in poo. heart worm-live in the heart.-of dogs-xx
2007-07-14 08:51:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋