Is this a sign of tapeworm?

LOl, you'd think with having so many cats that this is something I should know by now. Anyway, I know what tapeworm segments look like--like grains of white rice, about the same size as a grain of rice, blunt on both ends.

Today I noticed little tiny wormy things on one of the kittens (spayed female, about 6 months old). Around her anal area, and there was also some white crustiness. Tiny like. . .well, I can't think of anything that size. But very small. Pointy on both ends, looked kind of like fruit fly maggots. I gave everybody a dose of Strongid, just in case.

So, the question is: do you think this could be tapeworms? They don't seem large enough to be tapeworm segments, but maybe because she's so young, the tapeworms are small? I'd have to go get some Drontal from my vet if so. And I hate to dose everybody with such a strong de-wormer if it's not necessary. Any thoughts?

It does sound like tape worms to me, but you can bring in a stool sample to be tested.

Since they've had the Strongid (Revolution to us in the USA) they won't need Drontal, only Droncit.

That's tapeworms. Before they dry they look like that and wiggle a bit. A stool sample won't do you any good unless you actually see tapeworm segments in it, however you could pluck a couple of the expelled segments off the next time you see them, take those to the vet and they could tell you want you already know.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

That's tapeworms. Before they dry they look like that and wiggle a bit. A stool sample won't do you any good unless you actually see tapeworm segments in it, however you could pluck a couple of the expelled segments off the next time you see them, take those to the vet and they could tell you want you already know.

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Why? Can't they see the tapeworm eggs in a fecal float?

I agree though, that since you know what it is, might as well just get the Droncit and dose them all.

Originally Posted by otto

Why? Can't they see the tapeworm eggs in a fecal float?

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No. You're mixing tapeworms up with other worms. The segments - proglottids, are the eggs. They act as a type of egg case, if that makes it easier for anyone to remember. Once the proglottid dries out it breaks open and then the eggs are released into the environment where flea larvae come across them.

So no, you cannot find actual tapeworm eggs in stools, to confirm an infection a proglottid must be seen - luckily it's hard to miss them.

(I've always thought it quite weird how tapeworms have a complete reproductive system in every single proglottid. So much so that it stuck quite well in my head when learning it back in middle school. lol)

We had this discussion with my vet when we took Tumbles in because he had tapeworms. I told her, "But I SAW the worm hanging out of his anus and it was wiggling!". She said, "Well, there's your positive ID!" and proceeded to pop a pill down his throat for the tapeworms.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

(I've always thought it quite weird how tapeworms have a complete reproductive system in every single proglottid. So much so that it stuck quite well in my head when learning it back in middle school. lol)

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haha I still remember every fact I learned about tapeworms. In fact, I think I remember almost every fact from our "infectious parasite" week in 10th grade biology

Originally Posted by otto

Since they've had the Strongid (Revolution to us in the USA)

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Nooo. . .Revolution is a spot-on flea/tick/worm/earmite treatment. Good stuff but expensive. Strongid is a creamy yellow-white liquid vanilla-or-banana-flavored goo that cats like to spit out all over my furniture, LOL. I think it's marketed for horses actually. . .I don't know. I didn't see the container. I just asked the vet for some cat de-wormer and he came from the back with a prescription bottle full, with "Strongid" written on it.

Anyway, I guess it must be tapeworms. Drat. I thought the segments were larger like rice, but some of the info I Googled said that the segments can look like sesame seeds, and that's what they look like. Ugh.

I knew there were fleas for a while. I'm pretty sure they're taken care of now but I should have guessed on the tapeworms. I'd better get some meds to my brother's cats, too. They had fleas much worse than I did. I'm glad we got some cold weather now so we have some hope of getting rid of the nasty bugs.

My vet doesn't like to do fecals. . .he says "just give 'em the Strongid! That'll take care of it!". Suppose he would if I insisted but why bother. Strongid is cheap and fecals probably aren't.

I thought Droncit was only the name for the injectable, but evidently it's the name for the pill also. I have taken cats in for the injection, but I've heard it's extra-inflammatory and can cause issues. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by strange_wings

No. You're mixing tapeworms up with other worms. The segments - proglottids, are the eggs. They act as a type of egg case, if that makes it easier for anyone to remember. Once the proglottid dries out it breaks open and then the eggs are released into the environment where flea larvae come across them.

So no, you cannot find actual tapeworm eggs in stools, to confirm an infection a proglottid must be seen - luckily it's hard to miss them.

(I've always thought it quite weird how tapeworms have a complete reproductive system in every single proglottid. So much so that it stuck quite well in my head when learning it back in middle school. lol)

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Okay thanks. I wasn't mixing them up, I just didn't realize that tape worm could not be identified through a fecal float.

Originally Posted by Willowy

Nooo. . .Revolution is a spot-on flea/tick/worm/earmite treatment. Good stuff but expensive. Strongid is a creamy yellow-white liquid vanilla-or-banana-flavored goo that cats like to spit out all over my furniture, LOL.

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All right. batting 300 anyway, got the droncit right, LOL. So what am I thinking of then, if not strongid?

Why would a vet prescribe strongid, when an all spectrum (drontal) is available I wonder?

I know revolution is called something else in Europe. Off to search.

<edit>STRONGHOLD is what I am thinking of.

Originally Posted by otto

Why would a vet prescribe strongid, when an all spectrum (drontal) is available I wonder?

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I'm not sure. Maybe because Drontal has praziquantel, which is pretty strong stuff and shouldn't be used unless you know the kitty has tapeworm? Or maybe because Drontal is $4 a pill and Strongid is 50 cents a dose? I didn't need a tapeworm med at the time I got the Strongid, I just asked for a general de-wormer to have on hand and that's what he gave me.

I'd like to get some praziquantel liquid; pilling my cats is a pain. I saw that one compounding pharmacy had liver flavored praziquantel liquid, I might ask for a prescription so I can get that.

Originally Posted by Willowy

I'm not sure. Maybe because Drontal has praziquantel, which is pretty strong stuff and shouldn't be used unless you know the kitty has tapeworm? Or maybe because Drontal is $4 a pill and Strongid is 50 cents a dose?

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That's exactly why you got Strongid. Plus it's kitten safe and can be dosed down reliably.
And yes, it's multi-animal.

Compounding usually isn't that cheap. I'm not really sure why liquid is easier for you? I have one (who's plopped herself in my lap atm) that is a complete terror when I have to get liquid meds in her, you'd think she'd never tamed. Her siblings aren't that much better, though they at least do not fight me.
How many are you dosing and will they eat pill pockets or american cheese?

I am learning a lot about dewormers today, I'm glad you started this thread, Willowy.

I, too, find pilling MUCH easier than dosing with liquid.

LOL, there are 20 indoor cats. 3 are fully feral, unhandleable, and can only be dosed by sneaking it into their food (in an emergency, I can throw a towel on them, but it's traumatic for all of us and I'd rather not). 3 others are somewhat wild and difficult to dose, but not impossible. 1 is fully tame but has opinions , 1 other is tame but shy and doesn't like meds.

None will fall for pill pockets or hiding anything in cheese. They eat the cheese and leave the pill. And many are experts at "cheeking" a pill and spitting it out later. That's why liquids are easier for me, just shoot the dose in the back of their mouth and that's the end of it. They can't spit it out as easily. Also why I like the injectable, but like I said, I've heard bad things about its inflammatory properties.

I've done it before. . I'll manage. It's tough but oh well.

What about stuffing it into pieces of raw/semi raw or cooked stew meat?

revivalanimal has strongid cheap. I always keep a few bottles for my guys. same stuff the drs use. It is listed under horse supplies not small animal supply.