Treating Parasitic
Worms on Kittens
Kitten Has Tapeworm!
Dear Simba, my 4-month old male kitty
has just been diagnosed with Tapeworm. he is being treated by the
vet. What is tapeworm? His 2 sisters and mom do not have it-is
there anything we can do to avoid them getting it? thank you!
Jane
Dear Jane,
Tapeworm is an intestinal parasite. You can identify it by looking for small rice like particles in stools. These particles are egg cases that protect and release tapeworm eggs. The worms themselves are flat and have many segments.
Tapeworms can be transmitted in several ways. One way is through flea larvae. Fleas eat the tapeworm and cats may ingest the flea while grooming. Because of this, a lot of times fleas = tapeworms. The other way of getting worms is through infected rodents (this affects outdoor cats). So what to do?
Dear Jane,
Tapeworm is an intestinal parasite. You can identify it by looking for small rice like particles in stools. These particles are egg cases that protect and release tapeworm eggs. The worms themselves are flat and have many segments.
Tapeworms can be transmitted in several ways. One way is through flea larvae. Fleas eat the tapeworm and cats may ingest the flea while grooming. Because of this, a lot of times fleas = tapeworms. The other way of getting worms is through infected rodents (this affects outdoor cats). So what to do?
- Segregate the infected kitty until he is worm-free.
- Check your cats for fleas
- Replace all the kitty litter and be thorough in cleaning it
- Talk to your vet about preventive worming treatment
- If your cats go outside, consider keeping them in
How contagious are Tapeworms? My kitten
has what appears to be small rice particles on his stools. My vet
will not be here for 5 days, I have other pets.
Hi,
Tapeworms are transmitted through the ingestion of infected fleas or feces. I recommend that you keep your kitten isolated for now. Simba
Hi,
Tapeworms are transmitted through the ingestion of infected fleas or feces. I recommend that you keep your kitten isolated for now. Simba
Dear Simba,
I have found some tiny, white, hard, rice-shaped things on the chair where the kitten sleeps. I have checked his poop andHave not found worms. What could these be? He is a high-energy kitty and has a good appetite. Any advice you could give would be appreciated. - Thanks! Amy
Dear Amy,
It looks like Kitty has tapeworm. This condition is fairly common in kittens and those little grains of rice-like matter are egg cases that hold and release tapeworm eggs. FYI, watch out for fleas. Because your kitten is too young to hunt it is possible that he acquired tapeworms by eating flea larvae (flea larvae often eat tapeworm eggs). Best thing to do is to go to your vet and treat your kitten. In the meantime check him for fleas. Again, this is a common condition so do not worry, he'll be fine. Your Pal, Simba
I have found some tiny, white, hard, rice-shaped things on the chair where the kitten sleeps. I have checked his poop andHave not found worms. What could these be? He is a high-energy kitty and has a good appetite. Any advice you could give would be appreciated. - Thanks! Amy
Dear Amy,
It looks like Kitty has tapeworm. This condition is fairly common in kittens and those little grains of rice-like matter are egg cases that hold and release tapeworm eggs. FYI, watch out for fleas. Because your kitten is too young to hunt it is possible that he acquired tapeworms by eating flea larvae (flea larvae often eat tapeworm eggs). Best thing to do is to go to your vet and treat your kitten. In the meantime check him for fleas. Again, this is a common condition so do not worry, he'll be fine. Your Pal, Simba
Dear Simba
We discovered worms that look like small white rice that moves in our cat's stool. Please advise what we need to do to rid the cat of worms, protect our other cat from getting worms too and whether or not worms can be transmitted to humans. Thank you for your assistance concerning this matter. Scooter
Dear Scooter,
It appears as though your cat has tapeworm. Tapeworms are very common and easily treated. They transmitted through the ingestion of flea larvae or infected rodents. Most indoor cats get tapeworm from fleas. So there is a risk that your other cat may already be infected.
The risk to human adults is minimal so long as you wash your hands after interacting with your cat (be sure to keep any young children away until your cat completes treatment). Your best bet is to isolate the cat that has the worms and begin treatment with a wormer. You may also want to begin a preventive treatment for your other cat, in addition to taking them both for a check up and possible flea treatment. Tapeworms are an easy one to cure. Keep me posted. Simba
We discovered worms that look like small white rice that moves in our cat's stool. Please advise what we need to do to rid the cat of worms, protect our other cat from getting worms too and whether or not worms can be transmitted to humans. Thank you for your assistance concerning this matter. Scooter
Dear Scooter,
It appears as though your cat has tapeworm. Tapeworms are very common and easily treated. They transmitted through the ingestion of flea larvae or infected rodents. Most indoor cats get tapeworm from fleas. So there is a risk that your other cat may already be infected.
The risk to human adults is minimal so long as you wash your hands after interacting with your cat (be sure to keep any young children away until your cat completes treatment). Your best bet is to isolate the cat that has the worms and begin treatment with a wormer. You may also want to begin a preventive treatment for your other cat, in addition to taking them both for a check up and possible flea treatment. Tapeworms are an easy one to cure. Keep me posted. Simba
kitten with Roundworm
Dear Simba,
I have 3 kittens, their mother and a small dog. One of the kittens threw up several, 3 1/2-inch worms. They were long, round and thin. They seemed to curl up when they hit the air. Do I have to get rid of these cats to make sure my children and dog do not get sick? If not please tell me what I should do.
Hi
You do not have to get rid of the cats, but you do have to treat them soon. It appears as though your kitten may have Roundworm (and it is likely that his siblings and mother may be similarly infected). Roundworms are 3-5" long, cream-colored, and live in the intestines and are amongst the most common of intestinal parasites.
Roundworms can be transmitted to children if they have ingested larvae. The larvae can be found in dirt, kitty litter, feces or vomit. Transmission to humans is rare, but is possible.
As for your kittens, Roundworms can be life threatening to kitties if left untreated. Cats are usually infected by ingesting eggs or by eating rodents that carry the roundworm larvae (kittens can become infected through their mother's milk). Your vet can provide effective treatment, so please take the kitties there ASAP (you may also want to have your dog tested as well).
In the meantime, isolate the cats from your children and your pets. Clean out their litter box often, avoid feeding them raw meats, check them for fleas (see letters below) and begin worming them with similar to Erliworm. Be sure that any wormer you buy is marked as safe for nursing mothers, should momma cat be nursing. Also, clean your floors, carpets and furniture thoroughly since the eggs can survive for months in the environment. The risk of infection is lower now that you know. This is a treatable condition. Keep me posted. Simba
I have 3 kittens, their mother and a small dog. One of the kittens threw up several, 3 1/2-inch worms. They were long, round and thin. They seemed to curl up when they hit the air. Do I have to get rid of these cats to make sure my children and dog do not get sick? If not please tell me what I should do.
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Hi
You do not have to get rid of the cats, but you do have to treat them soon. It appears as though your kitten may have Roundworm (and it is likely that his siblings and mother may be similarly infected). Roundworms are 3-5" long, cream-colored, and live in the intestines and are amongst the most common of intestinal parasites.
Roundworms can be transmitted to children if they have ingested larvae. The larvae can be found in dirt, kitty litter, feces or vomit. Transmission to humans is rare, but is possible.
As for your kittens, Roundworms can be life threatening to kitties if left untreated. Cats are usually infected by ingesting eggs or by eating rodents that carry the roundworm larvae (kittens can become infected through their mother's milk). Your vet can provide effective treatment, so please take the kitties there ASAP (you may also want to have your dog tested as well).
In the meantime, isolate the cats from your children and your pets. Clean out their litter box often, avoid feeding them raw meats, check them for fleas (see letters below) and begin worming them with similar to Erliworm. Be sure that any wormer you buy is marked as safe for nursing mothers, should momma cat be nursing. Also, clean your floors, carpets and furniture thoroughly since the eggs can survive for months in the environment. The risk of infection is lower now that you know. This is a treatable condition. Keep me posted. Simba
Cat with Hookworm
Dear Simba,
Our cat has a worm periodically that is flat, approx. 1/2 inch long with an end resembling that of the hammer head shark (shape that is). It does not resemble the tapeworm everyone talks about and it is white in color, not translucent. It is definitely not segmented. Any ideas? We give her parantol for it but they seem to return. Baby Kitty's Family
Dear Baby Kitty's Family,
I suspect that your kitty may be suffering from Hookworms. Adult hookworms are 1/2 to 3/4 inches long live and very, very thin and hence hard to spot. They are called hookworms because their anterior end is curved dorsally, giving the worm a hook- like appearance. Hookworms attach themselves to the intestinal tract where they attach themselves to the walls and feed on the oxygen-carrying blood and can thus cause anemia (anemia symptoms: pale gums, weakness, sometimes black, tarry stools).
Hookworms require treatment with a strong wormer like Pyrantel. Because the worms are ingested through contaminated food or water, moist surfaces, and feces it re-infection in cats is common. Therefore, you want to isolate kitty in a room while he is in treatment. Also, you will want to ensure that all areas of the home, including his isolation room are thoroughly clean. Be sure to wear shoes or other protective footgear when cleaning the litter box because the worms can be absorbed through the skin by people.
Do not panic. This is a common and an easily treated condition. Kitty will be much the better after he is attended to. Keep me posted. Simba
Our cat has a worm periodically that is flat, approx. 1/2 inch long with an end resembling that of the hammer head shark (shape that is). It does not resemble the tapeworm everyone talks about and it is white in color, not translucent. It is definitely not segmented. Any ideas? We give her parantol for it but they seem to return. Baby Kitty's Family
Dear Baby Kitty's Family,
I suspect that your kitty may be suffering from Hookworms. Adult hookworms are 1/2 to 3/4 inches long live and very, very thin and hence hard to spot. They are called hookworms because their anterior end is curved dorsally, giving the worm a hook- like appearance. Hookworms attach themselves to the intestinal tract where they attach themselves to the walls and feed on the oxygen-carrying blood and can thus cause anemia (anemia symptoms: pale gums, weakness, sometimes black, tarry stools).
Hookworms require treatment with a strong wormer like Pyrantel. Because the worms are ingested through contaminated food or water, moist surfaces, and feces it re-infection in cats is common. Therefore, you want to isolate kitty in a room while he is in treatment. Also, you will want to ensure that all areas of the home, including his isolation room are thoroughly clean. Be sure to wear shoes or other protective footgear when cleaning the litter box because the worms can be absorbed through the skin by people.
Do not panic. This is a common and an easily treated condition. Kitty will be much the better after he is attended to. Keep me posted. Simba