Blood in the sink

Hi everyone!

I recently took in a feral cat who I worked with in the back yard. All his posts are over in the ferals section.

Anyway, he's doing really well indoors and seems to have zero interest in going back outside. He has a vet visit scheduled early next week, but today I noticed that there was blood sporadically all over the sink. I also noticed that he is scratching himself silly (he's even taken some of his hair from behind his ear) and licking constantly. He also has some skin dander when I pet him, which was difficult to notice before, since he's all black.

Anyway, is this a flea infestation, or do you think it could be something more? I haven't given him anything for fleas because I'm waiting to find out how compromised his immune system is first.

Side note, he also has those super tiny black worms. Anyone know what those are?

Thank you so much. I hate to seem him cranky and suffering.

Fleas.  Lots and lots of fleas.  Put Advantage or Frontline on him immediately, or you'll have them in your carpet, etc.  Apply it to any other cats in the house immediately, too.

OH MY ... That is definitely flea dirt.... That is what flea poop is called. And it turns blood red when it gets wet. I am sure he won't allow you to give him a flea bath :dk: - might really scare him. But that would be a way to kill the fleas immediately. OR just apply Revolution right away. Not sure what you mean about the tiny black worms. From his rear end? I would go ahead and use Revolution - that is a dewormer too. You will have to apply that again in two - three weeks time again. Also - he will need to be treated for Tapeworms too. Droncit will do the job in one pill. Fleas give cat's the tapeworm when the cat's groom off the fleas. Call your vet and ask for two Revolution and one Droncit pill. They should be able to put that up for you without seeing the cat. :nod: Don't worry this is very easily rectified

Yikes, yes, my cat a few years ago came in as feral. He had a nasty case too. You will see them on the bed or carpet if you look close. 

The other members' suggestions are good ones, for sure. If you DO feel brave, a 90% effective thing is to "pillowcase" wash. Basically, you get the cat inside a pillowcase (one you can throw away) along with a couple teaspoons of flea-bath. Wrap the opening around their head (so the head is out) and put the poor thing, case and all, in the sink. Warm water, and if you have someone to help, all the better! They will be upset, and essentially spin cycle themselves inside the case, but protect you from scratches and overly angry kitty. 

Wash off, and then let them run off to chill out (dry with a towel if you can). 

This method, crude but effective, really solved the flea issue for us. 

I'm curious about the worms, let me know what you find out! 

good luck!!!!! 

I agree - you need to treat immediately, both Mr. Jinx and your other kitty. :nod: (Both with a topical flea treatment AND Droncit).

I'd also recommend buying flea collars, cutting them into 3-4 inch pieces, and putting a few in your vacuum cleaner bag/canister, and vacuum thoroughly daily, focusing on room edges, cracks in floors, where carpeting ends... The flea collars could kill your cats, so do NOT put them on the cats. But they also do an excellent job of killing fleas and flea eggs, so they are GREAT in the vacuum cleaner. :nod:

I also suspect that the small black worms you're referring to are just "long" coiled flea dirt.

Thanks so much everyone!

The other pets are already flea treated (in fact, their last ones were just a few days ago), and he is quarantined in the bathroom.

I applied Revolution today, so hopefully that'll help, and I will get the other items from the vet, and possibly the bath as well. Poor guy! Geez, I don't think I've ever seen it that bad. I think the "black worms" are the flea poo.

I didn't realize re: the tapeworms. Those come out looking like sesame seeds, right? I haven't seen it, but I know that doesn't matter. I'll tell the vet ASAP.

The tapeworm segments come out looking like a small white worm that is still moving, but they dry to look like grains of rice.

Yes- they are a yellow when they dry and do look like sesame seeds or small grains of rice. I am sure Mr. Jinx has tapeworm. Very easy to get rid of. Just make sure the fleas are all dead - wait 24 hours after the Revolution before giving the droncit so he doesn't ingest another flea after the droncit.