Very Pregnant Cat w/ Worms

We took in a sweet little stray cat because my kids love her, so we kept her. Turns out she is pregnant and has worms. I've never had a cat before so I'm way out of my zone with this. Any info you all have is appreciated. We have her on kitten food, wet and dry, made a bed for her to labor in, and she always has clean water. Her poop is normal, no diarrhea. She's very big, so I'm expecting kittens in a few short weeks. Will the kitten be sick? Help!

It is practically a given that kittens - especially if born to indoor / outdoor cats - will have worms. Depends on what kind of worms, of course.

If the sweet cat you are so wonderfully taking care of has round worms then yes, the kittens will too.

It is unlikely the kittens will have tapeworms as they are transmitted through fleas.

Talk to your vet to ask if it is safe to worm mom cat (which may not protect kittens as it depends how far along she is in pregnancy. And when kittens can be wormed after birth. Do Not use any over the counter preparations as sad but true not all are safe.

I'm sure our more experienced members will soon have better / more useful suggestions for you. Meanwhile - any pictures of your sweet mom-to-be, and what's her name?

If it's rice-like worms coming from her anus it's tape worms. Pregnant cats can be treated safely with Drontal for tapeworms. You'll need to get it from a vet. She'll also need to be treated for fleas with Advantage II, otherwise, the kittens will get fleas as well, and can easily suffer flea anemia.

This is our sweet girl. We call her Momma.

Thank you all for the help and advice. It's definitely little rice like things around her butt. Sometimes it's just the segments and other times I see a worm moving. Totally gross. We do not have a vet for her yet, since we just moved but I suppose I could call any of them. We're short on money because of the move so hopefully things will be ok until my husband starts working. I'm not starting a fundraiser for our responsibility of this cat lol. I really just hope the kittens and momma are ok. We plan to keep Momma and one baby as well. I'll have them properly vetted when money allows but it shouldn't be too long.

Pet Smart carries praziquantel tapeworm pills by Bayer, which will work. They also sell Advantage II.

Yes, it is safe for pregnant cats! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Another question.... her nipples are very dry and flaky. Anything to be concerned about or will the milk take care of that when it comes in? She has to be close to labor...like a week at the most. In a week it'll have been about 2months since we think she got pregnant, I would think she'd be leaking by now...

You can apply olive or coconut oil to her nipples to prevent chapping. It will give her some relief. Some cats get milk early, while others get their milk once the kittens are born.

You're so great for taking Momma in.

She's lovely and I'm sure her kittens will be too.

Thank you! We're really in love with Momma. Just anxiously waiting on these kittens!!

momma has some dark brown discharge today...could this be the beginnings of labor???? I think I've seems her belly contract a few times as well, but I could be wrong.

It all sounds normal for pre-labor or early stage one labor. [emoji]128077[/emoji]

3 so far!!!

Wow how exciting!!! Hope all continues to go well xxx wishing you all the best xxx people give amazing advice on here xxx

OK she has ZERO milk coming out of her nipples... when should I worry that they aren't eating???

S sarah333

Congratulations! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

If the kittens are latching and nursing, they are getting colostrum the first 24 hours or so. This also stimulates her milk to come in. This is normal. Still just 3 babies? [emoji]128571[/emoji]

Those are beatifull kittens[emoji]128150[/emoji]

Congratulations!!!