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Wed 10 Sep, 2003 02:59 pm
There is a cat that lives outside here, fed by several families in our apartment complex. We've been giving it medicine for worms, but it doesn't seem to help. My theory is that it's because it's an outside cat! Isn't it just getting re-infected when it goes back outside? The idea has certainly come up, to keep the cat in for a week or two, but then... wouldn't it get re-infected when goes back out? The problem is that the cat, while a sweet cat, has habits that make it a poor house pet. Which is, I'm sure, why none of the other families around here have taken it in...
Is this cat just doomed to have worms? Should we try more expensive meds? Would a vet visit be in order? We don't have a lot of money to spend on the cat, but would like to help it out, if we can.
Thanks!
harmonic ~ it's almost impossible. Assuming we're talking about the same kind of worm.
As long as the cat is outside, it is susceptible to fleas ~ and that's how they get tapeworms ~ by digesting the head of a flea. We've treated our indoor cats twice for tapeworm, and soon they'll have another treatment. They don't go outside, and they are treated with Frontline, but one of them always manages to eat the wrong flea. (Tapeworms can be transferred from one cat to another.)
Sorry.
'scuse me if I'm being dumb, but how do you know it has worms?
Okay, I'll answer. Yuck.
Tapeworms, at least, can be seen and are small (1/4 of an inch or smaller), whitish in colour and move like an inchworm. You'll seem them either on a feline's rectum or on their feces.
There. I've done it.
lol Yeah, that's how you tell.
Thanks!
We've been very lucky with our cats. My poor mom has a black persian she spends about $2000.00 a year on. The thing has all kinds of urinary problems. Now, my cat... he was given to me by a friend about 8 years ago. (An animal being given instead of sold means something to me.) So far he's had excellent heath. I worry a bit at my wife over feeding him, but thats her way of loving him I guess. Even with this new cat around, my old buddy still hasn't shown sings of worms. I try to keep the new cat out as much - I kinda have my family fooled into thinking I hate it.
I don't hate it, of course, but I do try to keep it out more than in, hoping not to infect the other cats. (we have a little gray female my wife picked up off the road three or four years ago.) I love cats! Cool animals. Love fish too - they call fishkeeping a hobby but it's more of a science than a hobby. It's a passion, whatever... :wink:
This place attracts more cat-lovers, I swear! If I haven't said it already, welcome to A2K, harmonic!
welcome from yet another cat lover, kitten in left hand as i type.
How is Rosie doing, Vivien? Give her a smooch from me, please!
I'll pass that particular message on to Ma ~ she's the photographer in this house.
I don't know what the consensus here on a2k is about Advantage or another similar product re making the cat unattractive to fleas. It's isn't inexpensive, but it works for quite a while (a month or more for a tubes worth, applied to the skin, at, I think about eight dollars.)
I've heard of serious problems with one of these products, but don't recall which.
We use Advantage, ossobuco.....but, we're not consistant with it. Both our cats have worms. It's not a problem to get them medication from the vet, but if they still have fleas, the medication becomes futile.
Get the animals flea-free, keep them that way, introduce the worm medication, and continue with the flea treatment.....It's the only way.
If I haven't mentioned it before.....My ex has custody of my cat, Buddy and my dog, Maggie. Both animals have worms ~ for years. Not heart worms, but tapeworms. Tapeworms aren't life threatening ~ unless it's a puppy or kitten. They are nasty, unwelcomed guests. And can be overcome.
Flea treatment first. For at least three months. Worm treatment next. Continue flea treatment monthly. It's the only way.
Hi Rog!
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