Anal "pellets".

The cat in question is a castrated male, 21/2 years old.

For the past couple of months he has daily passed [anally] many - 20-30 - small "pellets".

These "pellets" are cylindrical in shape - approx. 2mm long by 1mm diameter - whiteish in colour and do not have any perceptible odour. The cat does not seem aware of their presence.

Any information regarding this matter and possible remedies would be appreciated.

Could they be worms or worm fragments?

I don't think so, although I suppose they could be worm fragments.

When I see these pellets on his bedding they are solid - appear almost as if small grains of rice - and and are easily shaken off. However, when I see them around his anus they do not appear to be quite so solid.

Thats worms. My cat had the some ones, we got de-wormer for the type of worms he had and he was a completly diffrent cat the next day.

Here, I just googled it for you:

Tapeworms

The most common tapeworm of cats (and dogs) is called Dipylidium caninum, which is flea-vectored. Taenia taeniaeformis are are transmitted by predation of rabbits or rodents. The parasite attaches to the small intestinal wall by hook-like mouthparts. Adult tapeworms may reach 8 inches (20 cm) in length. The adult worm is actually made up of many small segments about 1/8 inch (3 mm) long. As the tail end of the worm matures, the terminal segments break off and pass into the stool. Occasionally, the mobile segments can be seen crawling near the anus or on the surface of a fresh bowel movement. These segments look like grains of rice and contain tapeworm eggs; the eggs are released into the environment when the segment dries. The dried segments are small (about 1/ 16", or 2 mm), hard and golden in color. These dried segments can sometimes be seen stuck to the hair around the cat's anus.



How cats get tapeworms

First, tapeworm eggs must be swallowed by flea larvae (an immature stage of the flea). Contact between flea larvae and tapeworm eggs is thought to occur most frequently in contaminated bedding or carpet. The life cycle of the tapeworm cannot be completed unless the flea swallows tapeworm larvae. Next, the cat chews or licks its skin as a flea bites; the flea is then swallowed. As the flea is digested within the cat's intestine, the tapeworm hatches and anchors itself to the intestinal lining.

Tapeworms are not highly pathogenic (harmful) to your cat. They may cause debilitation and weight loss when they occur in large numbers. Sometimes, the cat will scoot or drag its anus across the ground or carpet because the segments are irritating to the skin in this area. This behavior is much more common in dogs than cats. The adult worm is generally not seen, but the white segments which break away from the tapeworm and pass outside the body rarely fail to get an owner's attention! Occasionally, a tapeworm will release its attachment in the intestines and move into the stomach. This irritates the stomach, causing the cat to vomit the worm. When this happens, a worm several inches in length will be seen.

Tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed when the white, mobile segments are seen crawling on your cat or in the stool. Tapeworms are not usually detected by the routine fecal examination performed by the veterinarian. Because of this, veterinarians depend on the owner to notify them of possible tapeworm infection in the cat.

Treatment is simple and, fortunately, very effective. A drug which kills tapeworms is given, either orally or by injection. It causes the tapeworm to dissolve within the intestines. Since the worm is usually digested before it passes, it is not visible in your cat's stool. These drugs should not cause vomiting, diarrhea, or any other adverse side-effects. Do not use "dewormers" commonly sold over the counter. Over-the counter-wormers can be very toxic and irritating to your cat and should be avoided. The safest and most effective drugs can be prescribed only by your veterinarian.

Control of fleas is very important in the management and prevention of tapeworm infection. Flea control involves treatment of your cat, the indoor environment and the outdoor environment where the cat resides. If the cat lives in a flea-infested environment, reinfection with tapeworms may occur in as little as two weeks. Because the medication which treats tapeworm infection is so effective, return of the tapeworms is almost always due to reinfection from the environment.

Pinworms

Tapeworms and pinworms look very similar. However, contrary to popular belief, pinworms do not infect cats or dogs. Any worm segments seen associated with cats are due to tapeworms. Children who get pinworms do not get them from cats or dogs.

Feline tapeworms infections are not common or likely in people. A flea must be ingested for humans to become infected with the most common tapeworm of cats. Most reported cases have involved children. The most effective way to prevent human infection is through aggressive, thorough flea control. The risk for infection with this tapeworm in humans is quite small but does exist

One less common group of tapeworms, called Echinococcus, is of particular concern as a threat to human health. These tapeworms cause very serious disease when humans become infected. This parasite is harder to diagnose than the tapeworm caused by fleas because the segments are small and not readily seen. Hunters and trappers in the north central United States and south central Canada may be at risk for infection by this worm if strict hygiene is not observed. Foxes and coyotes (and the wild rodents upon which they prey) are important in the life cycle of this parasite. Dogs and cats may also become infected if they eat rodents carrying the parasite. Another good reason to keep your cat indoors and supervised while outdoors.

Effective flea control is important

Prompt deworming should be given when parasites are detected periodic deworming may be appropriate for pets at high risk for reinfection

All pet feces should be disposed of promptly, especially in yards, playgrounds, and public parks.

Strict hygiene is important, especially for children. Do not allow children to play in potentially contaminated environments



From: http://maxshous

The information you posted describes exactly what I have observed. Fortunately the cure is relatively easily achieved and I will attend to it immediately.

Thank you for your assistance.

My local veterinarian provided me with a deworming tablet and it seems to have been very effective - since giving it to the cat there hasn't been any sign of worm segments.

Please contact a vet about the proper worming tablets, don't use over the counter products for this. Your cats have tapeworms which also means they have fleas. or they are outside kitties that got into mice. Be sure and talk to the vet about spot on flea treatment