I found a worm on my kitties bum the other day, so I called the vet and they said to bring in a sample. I did that this morning and it came back negative. Anyone know how that could be???
2007-08-27 02:20:45 · 7 answers · asked by Sandee 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
My kitty is a yr old, I have three kitties, so Saturday night I put the other two out and kept this one in, I got a fresh sample the next morning and put it in a ziploc bag and took it to the vet this morning. The worm I found was a pure white one, flattish and about 1/2 inch long. Kitty isn't acting sick or anything and is eating fine.
2007-08-27 03:14:22 · update #1
Okay, since the vet says no and I see the actual worms, can I treat the cats for worms? Will it hurt them if they don't have them?
2007-08-27 03:36:22 · update #2
Cat worms are internal parasites. There are different kinds of worms. A few are dangerous, but all can be prevented.
Tape worms, flat and ribbon-like, are probably the best known. They resemble grains of rice. You can see the white segments of tape worm in your cat’s feces.
Tape worms are intestinal parasites and live from the food your cat eats. They more or less rob it from the intestines.
This may sound worrisome, but tape worms are only harmful in severe cases. Cats that really suffer from tape worms become restless. They lose weight and are in a generally poor condition.
Your cat may get tape worming. Some tape worms are also transmitted by other animals. If your cat comes outside and hunts for mice, it might pick up worms.
Keeping a cat indoors prevents cat worms.
Other widespread cat worms are roundworms. They are thick and white and can be up to 10 cm (4 inch) long.
Again these worms live on food from your cat. These cat worms are often seen in feces and vomit. This is of course unpleasant. However, most infested adult felines do not suffer very much.
Disturbing about round worms is that kittens may get them from their mother.
Unlike adult cats, kittens may develop serious diseases as a result of round worms.
Erliworm wormer tablets are a safe, effective treatment for the control of large roundworms.
In general, worm tablets should not be used until a kitten is six weeks of age. But if your kitten has round worms since birth you might treat them under supervision of your vet, once they are three weeks old.
Consult a veterinarian before using wormers in pregnant cats.
If you want to breed, have your cat checked by a vet, and if needed dewormed, before mating.
Hook worms mostly live in hot humid areas. They are known in Australia and in some parts of America. Cats that live in areas with a milder climate seldom have hookworms.
Hook worms are dangerous. They cause anemia and diarrhea, and sometimes even kill a cat. The feces of an infested cat occasionally show blood.
Clean the litter box regularly.
As said, cat worms are often found in feces. Hygiene is therefore an important factor in preventing worms from infesting other cats, if you have two or more.
It is recommended to ask advice from your vet before using wormer tablets.
2007-08-27 02:38:40 · answer #1 · answered by froggy10282002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would just watch and wait. Watch if your kitty eats and drinks normally and try to check her litter box too for more. Make sure she isn't vomiting also. If she is sick at all, take her to the vet. If she has worms they will show up again. They are very easy to take care of. Be careful though because worms can be harmful to you too.
2007-08-27 09:29:49 · answer #2 · answered by Limeade 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you describe sounds like a tapeworm.
If the vet says it's nothing--what IS he telling you the sample actually is? You need to have an answer from him about what you found on the cat's bottom.
2007-08-27 20:47:28 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Worms are not present in every single sample of cat's faeces. Take another sample in few days then again and again. Worms cycle differs, they usually lay eggs in two weeks. Just keep trying untill you catch it or simply worm the kitten.
2007-08-27 09:34:28 · answer #4 · answered by Errin B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the sample sat in the litter box for a while the worms could have crawled out. This happens.
2007-08-27 09:29:50 · answer #5 · answered by tharnpfeffa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was a small, flat white thing and you saw it move, then treat your kitten for tape worms.
oh... what did you put it in to take it to the vet.
I put some in alcohol to preserve them for the vet and it destroyed my sample.
2007-08-27 09:35:35 · answer #6 · answered by Nedra E 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weird
2007-08-27 09:25:19 · answer #7 · answered by ed 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋