cats and worms *eek*!

[wolflady]

I have a question about worms in cats. Yesterday, my little Sergei threw up and 2 worms were included! Yuk! At first I thought it was a rubber band, or a very thin noodle, but then it moved! I've never had experience with cats and worms before, so it freaked me out. I always thought worms would come out in the stool.
Anyway, when I was at the shelter yesterday, I told the kennel attendant about it and she gave me a pill and a half of Drontal to give Sergei. I guess just this one dose will get rid of the worms? What about my other cats? Should I be worried about them? I'm really surprised that this just showed up because Sergei has been inside for a few months now! What should I do regarding my other cats? How will I know that Sergei is worm free?

Thanks!
**hugs**
Karen

[HayleyRosie]

When we got Mandy she had worms. Found them in her stool after we started giving her deworming medication. Thankfully they were already dead. When we went to the vet to get some deworming medication he told us to deworm Hayley again also. We didn't notice Hayley having any but the vet told us it was a good idea because they could be easily passed from one cat to another if they are using the same litter box. Hayley and Mandy had to take the deworming medication 3 times, two weeks apart. The medication is not that expencive and I had loads left. My mother-in-law also dewormed her new kitten with the same bottle.

[kimlovescats]

I've never heard of them being thrown up ... but I suppose if they are bad enough that can happen. Poor baby!!! The Drontal is usually just for tape worms (caused by fleas) ... tape worms are small, flat and white ... they look like pieces of Rice!!! Any other type of worm, needs to be treated with Strongid... a liquid dewormer!!! It is yellow and supposedly banana flavored? hehe
It is relatively inexpensive and you can get it from your vet!

The dewormer works within 24 hours, you should see them being passed (dead) in the feces!

It wouldn't hurt to deworm your other cats, if they haven't been in several months or a year.

[kimlovescats]

Oh yea..... you are not supposed to treat for Tape Worms (with the Drontal) unless you have actually SEEN the tapes!

[K & L]

http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/parasite.html

[PaysForIt]

I've just read through some of the pages on that website and I'm never ever eating fish again.

I'm also going to be washing my hands every 5 mins for the rest of my life

[wolflady]

Yuk! None of it sounds good! I made an appointment for Sergei tomorrow, and I have one of the worms in a ziploc back in the fridge to show the vet. I'm now worried about my other babies! Ick! I've never had to deal with worms before.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Karen, I'm so sorry to hear about this. Yuck! It probably is a good idea to treat all 3 cats. When I adopted Pepper, he had round worms and was treated with some kind of pills. I sure hope that it's nothing serious like heart worms. I've heard of animals throwing them up. Please keep us updated on Sergei's condition. All fingers and paws are crossed here.

[BastetsMum]

I am so glad that they didn't show pictures on that website ....

[wolflady]

I just got back from the vet's office, and Sergei got his 3rd round of his first set of shots. I asked the vet about the Drontol, and he said that was the right medication to give. He seemed impressed that I had some of it handy and had gone ahead and given it to Sergei, but he said that is what he was going to prescribe. I told him about my volunteering for the local shelter, and that is what we give our cats there. He said it will kill just about any kind of worm, especially tapeworm and round worms (stomach worms). I also asked if I should be worried about my other cats, and he said no - it's a young cat problem (that just goes to show that our instincts are right, KAK! I think he's just a baby still! Just like your Sky!)...but it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye of them all. He gave me more to give Sergei in 3 weeks, just to make sure they're all gone! Yay! My little orangie is going to be ok!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Karen, I'm so glad to hear that Sergei is going to be okay. I knew he was much younger than 2 years old. He's so frisky and has a lot more growing to do. Did you ask the vet how old he thought that Sergei was?

[moosmom]

Karen,

I'm glad to hear Sergei is okay. It is VERY common for kittens to have worms or even be born with intestinal parasites.

The little pieces of moving "rice" that Kim is referring to is caused by flea eggs. When cats who have fleas groom themselves, they end up swallowing the flea eggs which hatch into intestinal parasites. It's not life threatening or anything. Whenever I USED to get a new cat in my house the first thing I insisted on was a hit of Revolution and deworming medicine. Kills 2 birds with one stone, so to speak.