Worms!!

Oh brother.... i just saw a worm stick it's head out the rear end of the cat that i just rescued! I am really really phobic of worms. I mean reallllly reallllly phobic.... I just called a vet to see if she can make a house call today as i can't get out to see her as i can't drive... Is he going to be okay? i've never had a cat with worms like this before... it must be pretty serious for them to be poking their head out to take a look!

The worm was white and looked a bit like a hammer head shark...

Our cats are all regularly wormed.... will regular worming help this guy or is he in need of something more serious? I hope it isn't anything serious he i such a darling.

I'm sorry but I had to laugh that your worm looked like a ""hammerhead shark"

Here is an easy way to identify worms and most strays have worms because of what they have to eat to survive- rodents, etc...

Tapeworms- show up on the tail, the back of the legs and the rear as well as in the feces. They look like little white rice segments

Roundworms- show up in vomit or in stool, or on the cat's bedding- look like spaghetti noodles (sorry but they do)

Hookworms- these blood suckers can't be seen in the feces by the naked eye.

Whipworms- not that common in cats, but they can occur, the eggs can be seen in the feces

Flea Larvae- they look like tapeworms except they are brown and have visible legs. If you see flea larvae you have a severe flea problem in your home

thanks hissy... i'm not sure what worms this fella has but the vet is coming round in an hour or so to sort him out.

he also has some teeth missing
poor little guy
he's such a sweetie pie all he wants to do is cuddle

could you tell me what the difference between being a very cuddle cat and being one that is lethargic from lets say fiv or felv is?

we're planning to have him tested but not today.

Usually when a cat is ill, they don't want people around them.They seek out a dark, quiet place to hide and they just curl up and go to sleep. If he has a full load of worms (which it sounds like he does) he just doesn't feel well because he is eating, but the worms are taking all the protein he needs. Your vet will be able to evaluate him and tell you if he is going to be okay and also draw blood for testing which is a good idea.

Thank you for rescuing him. I'm sorry to have laughed at you, but worms looking like a hammerhead shark made me chuckle-

i also found it funny after you mentioned it... it just really did look like that ... blech. anyway, when our vet came over he just carried on rolling around and snuggling up against her even after she gave him the injection! he didn't scratch or anything... he is just the gentlest little lamb. i've named him Hunter.

the vet came over today to give him a worm shot, she also took him off to the vet with her to get his neutered and have his teeth cleaned and done. that was when she ran the felv/fip/fiv tests. he was only + for fiv.

she's bringing him back tomorrow.

i'm phobic of worms. i just can not bear the sight of them. i get hysterical if i even find one in a pot plant. i just can not deal with worms.

now there is a slight possibility that this could be a liver fluke- so if you see it again- you might want to chase that possibility-

i will mention it to her... i'll call in the morning. would this liver fluke have been treated with the shot that she gave him?

You know, I really do not know the answer to that. I was just talking to a knowledgeable friend and I mentioned how your post made me giggle. She was quiet for a minute and then informed me that liver flukes do sort of resemble hammerhead sharks. But having never had to deal with one, the only thing I can suggest is look it up on Google and see if the picture or illustration resembles what you saw- if it does than call the vet and talk to her. I don't think worming medication will kill a fluke- but again, I could be wrong-

Hi,

I was just researching and found this site. My cat Tootie has white worms. EW!
They're flat, expand and contract, and are about 1/4 inch. I think they are tapeworms but not sure. They also have a "hammerhead-ish" look to them.
Yuck!
Tootie has been withdrawn lately and seems a little depressed.
Should I take her to the vet, or is there over the counter medication I can give her???
p.s.
I love your little Blinking Kitty picture Hissy!

I also have a question regarding worms.

My kittens were dewormed about a month ago, they still have a few fleas and are on Frontline Plus.
If they managed to get in a flea or two could they get tapeworm? If so, does that mean I have to deworm them AGAIN?

Originally Posted by jme_p

Hi,

I was just researching and found this site. My cat Tootie has white worms. EW!
They're flat, expand and contract, and are about 1/4 inch. I think they are tapeworms but not sure. They also have a "hammerhead-ish" look to them.
Yuck!
Tootie has been withdrawn lately and seems a little depressed.
Should I take her to the vet, or is there over the counter medication I can give her???
p.s.
I love your little Blinking Kitty picture Hissy!

Click to expand...

I wouldn't ever use over the counter medications, at best they're ineffective and and worst they can be fatal. Take kittie to your vet and get some medication from them

Originally Posted by Zoggy

I also have a question regarding worms.

My kittens were dewormed about a month ago, they still have a few fleas and are on Frontline Plus.
If they managed to get in a flea or two could they get tapeworm? If so, does that mean I have to deworm them AGAIN?

Click to expand...

Yup....and yup. If you don't mind giving your cats pills then you can ask the vet if they'll leave the pills with the receptionist for you to pick up, should cost very little that way. Are your cats indoor only? Whether or not they go out will effect how often you'll have to worm them.

They're indoors only.