I have 3 cats, 2 have FLV.
One of them has not been feeling well and has bumps ALL over his body, and has been losing his hair. Well I took him to the vet and she said it was an environmental allergy and put him on 3 different antibiotics. He's been on them for about a week or so, and he's doing a little better, but he's really sleepy because one of the meds is Benydryl. Anyways, yesterday he was sitting in the window, and I went over and picked him up and on the window sill there were 2 rice looking things. I looked at them closer and realized they were moving! I called the vet right away, and they said it's probably tapeworms. I have to take a stool sample to them tonight. My questions are:
How do they get tapeworms? How do we get rid of them? If one of my cats have them, do they all? and finally, will the tapeworms somehow affect the FLV he has? Sorry, but he's my baby, and I'm really worried.
2007-07-17 08:35:16 · 6 answers · asked by batmantis1999 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Tapeworms are associated with fleas, another host in the tapeworm life cycle. They go hand-in-hand, often pets have both fleas and tapeworms.
Eggs are found in stools, and resemble moving grains of rice.
I've included a link with more info:
2007-07-17 09:11:18 · answer #1 · answered by Suzi 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Mine had tapeworms a few weeks ago..They do resemble rice..I took her to the vet and they gave her a shot for it..wasn't expensive at all..but even if it was, I would have still gotten it..They get tapeworms from ingesting infected fleas..Mine stay in, and she still got it..so make sure you use Advantage or Frontline every month..My other cat did not have tapeworms..As far as the FLV, i'm not sure, but I don't think it'll affect it...you might want to just ask your vet when you take the stool there to make sure.
2007-07-17 15:42:20 · answer #2 · answered by Mommy 2 Heaven Angel & 1 N Belly 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they all use the same litter box, they could all have tapeworms. These usually come from fleas (which carry the larval stage of the worm) OR they could be gotten from eating a rodent or bird that had the tapeworm in it.
It's easy to get rid of the worm, but you need to take a stool sample in, they will want to make sure which kind of worm it is, for the medicine to be correct.
2007-07-17 19:46:13 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes it is tapeworms. tapeworms are fleas/flea eggs that are ingested by your cat whe he/she grooms. Your cat does not have to be an outdoor cat to have fleas or tapeworms. fleas CAN come in from the outside on your clothing. I suggest contacting your vet and to treat said cat(s) how many cats do you have. When I found tapeworms on one cat, I had them both treated. Also a monthly dose of Frontline or Advantage is good to deturr the fleas,etc. It will not effect the FLV for the tape worms are nothing compared to other things a cat can get. also here is a link or two to help you understand more...http://www.cat-world.com.au/TapewormInCats.htm
http://www.2ndchance.info/tapeworm.htm
2007-07-17 17:03:24 · answer #4 · answered by laceangel69 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
hi
not 100% sure about some of the answers you are asking but i know a normal tablet wormer like 'drontal' for example will worm them and get rid of any worms in the faeces. for the other questions ask the vet, they will know.
xxxx
2007-07-17 19:39:36 · answer #5 · answered by *music* 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask your vet. They can get you up-to-date on tapeworms since they're the experts.
2007-07-17 15:40:19 · answer #6 · answered by FantasyBookworm 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋