TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Identify this image: Mystery coils / spirals
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Identify this image: Mystery coils / spirals

post #1 of 9
11/29/10 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 
Solved - strange_wings identified it as Flea poop

I've noticed these coils / spiral shapes being dropped by my healthy acting 5 yo Tortie cat. There must have been about 20 of these around her while she was sleeping. I'm thinking it might be blood but what would cause this? Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Reply
post #2 of 9
11/29/10 at 2:28pm
No idea what they are. A little more information might help. Where did you find them? Near her head? Near her butt? Underneath her? Scattered around? Were any of them still on her, caught it her fur? Is is only where she's sleeping or also in the litter box?
Reply
post #3 of 9
11/29/10 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 
I think it is mostly blood since they do dissolve completely in a drop of water and make the water red.

I can't seem to get a fix on the source. They're scattered all over the bed, possibly from multiple nap sessions. They're all around the house too. I'll try to be more scientific and wipe the bed sheet completely.
Reply
post #4 of 9
11/29/10 at 4:07pm
I am not familiar with anything like that but would definitely get some samples of those and take them with her to a vet.
Reply
post #5 of 9
11/29/10 at 4:08pm
That is what people commonly refer to as "flea dirt", it's flea poop - they live on blood, thus that's what they poop out.

Treat her with Frontline, Advantage, or Revolution from your vet and have them deworm her for tapeworms.

Your camera has amazing zoom, btw. Most people can't see well enough to see that flea poop usually comes out spiraled like that, and your camera caught it perfectly.
Reply
post #6 of 9
11/29/10 at 4:11pm
If that's from fleas, then you also need to wash the bedding, buy some flea collars, cut them up and put them in the vacuum, and vacuum furniture, floors & carpets (especially cracks & wall edges) THOROUGHLY as often as possible for the next month or so to ensure you get up all the flea eggs.
Reply
post #7 of 9
11/29/10 at 4:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
That is what people commonly refer to as "flea dirt", it's flea poop - they live on blood, thus that's what they poop out.
I've never seen flea poop before, but I checked in google and sure enough, it's flea poop!
Reply
post #8 of 9
11/29/10 at 4:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Natalie_ca View Post
I've never seen flea poop before, but I checked in google and sure enough, it's flea poop!
That's because it's so tiny! I work with some of the smallest seed beads, they're barely larger than fleas, so I have very good eyesight for tiny things up close.
Of course, you better believe that I regularly check the foot of my bed and the cats other naps spots for flea dirt, too, as sometimes you'll find that before you ever see a cat scratching or find a flea.
Reply
post #9 of 9
11/29/10 at 4:27pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all your responses. Flea poop it is then! Yuck, the thought of poop and eggs all over the house is soo gross

Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
Your camera has amazing zoom, btw.
I cheated....I used my usb 40x pen camera. Glad it came in handy today.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cat Health
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Identify this image: Mystery coils / spirals