Member

Posts: 123
From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-13-2003 01:51 PM         

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I've read that a symptom of tapeworms is rice-like pellets on a cats anus or in his stool. I am not seeing anything on my cat or in this litter box, but I am finding little white things that look like seaseme seeds in all his usually sleeping places.

Does anyone know what they could be? I've been vacuuming these areas almost daily for the past few weeks becuase of it, and each day there are dozens more seed things on my diningroom chairs, on his cat tree and even on my bed. I can't imagine that there are so many stuck to his rear after he usues the litter box yet his bottom is clean every time I check.

He was treated for roundworm several months ago, and had bloodwork done when he was neutered about a month ago. Neither time did the vet mention tapeworms.

Does anyone have any ideas?

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Member

Posts: 10
From:New Jersey
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-13-2003 02:43 PM         

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That is very strange. I wish I could help, but I've never heard of such a thing. Maybe a call to your vet would be a good idea. I know from working in a pediatrics ward that lice can look like that. Have you checked your cat's skin thoroughly? Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Deb

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New Member

Posts: 7
From:Oregon, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 10-13-2003 02:54 PM         

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If your cat goes outside at all, could those indeed be seeds that he brought inside, concealed within his coat?

I know that after my kitty cleans herself wherever she happens to be sitting/laying, I always find an assortment of seeds that she has picked out of her fur.

Of course if your cat is an indoor cat, then this would be out of the question.

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Member

Posts: 141
From:Nova Scotia, Canada
Registered: May 2003

posted 10-13-2003 03:40 PM         

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Hi

Sounds like worms to me. My cat had something similar. We would find these little 'seeds' in places she slept. It turned out to be a type of worm (not tapeworm) that died and dried up when it came in contact with the air. It was solved by medication quite simply. But I would take your kitty to the vet to get fixed asap.

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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 10-13-2003 08:10 PM         

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Sounds like worms to me too. Live tapeworm segments look like rice, dead dried up ones may look similar to seaseme seeds. At any rate...I would take a stool sample over to the vet to be tested. Could be tapeworms or may some other type of parasite.

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Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 10-13-2003 09:23 PM         

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It does sound like it could be tape worms. They are white when they come out, then discolor as they dry. They become a yellowish color. I can see how they could be described as sesame seeds. If you are finding them in places where the cats sleeps they are probably tapeworms. The segments come out while they are sleeping.

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posted 10-16-2003 07:17 PM           

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Your cat has tapeworms. Take him to your vet, they will give him a series of 2 shots.

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Posts: 1392
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-17-2003 07:37 AM         

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How is your kitty doing? Update, please?

Jamiya

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Member

Posts: 123
From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-21-2003 11:02 AM         

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Yes, the vet confirmed that it was tapeworm. He never had any other symptoms and is a healthy weight.

She gave me 2 pills to give to him. That's going to be a trick. I've never had to give him pills before.

If I mix it in with his food will he just eat it?

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Member

Posts: 97
From:usa
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-21-2003 06:34 PM         

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He should eat his food with the pills if you crush them in a powder and sprinkle it in the moist food or if you feed him dry food also just sprinkle on it. He shouldnt notice... I have to give my kitten a vitamin everyday and he hate them so i crush it in his food. It always works.

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~*T*~

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Member

Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-26-2003 03:02 PM         

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I am just curious if anyone knows how an inside cat would even get tapeworms? Does anyone know the cause of it? I have a friend that has an inside cat that was just diagnosed with tapeworms also.

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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 10-26-2003 05:15 PM         

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Mandy -
Tapeworms are caused by infected fleas...when a cat swallows an infected flea, the cat will become infected as well. Inside cats can get fleas because we can carry them in on our clothes,ect.

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Member

Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-26-2003 05:38 PM         

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Nern, Thank you so much for your reply. That is very helpful to know. I currently use Advantage on my cats, but my friend whose cat got tapeworms, doesn't use anything to prevent fleas, so I will let him know that he should start so his cat doesn't get tapeworms anymore, ICK! Thanks again.

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posted 10-27-2003 07:51 PM           

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If the pill isn't too big, you can give it to him whole.
Hold him facing away from you, tilting his head up to look up at you. Use your index finger and thumb to gently pry his little mouth open. Place the pill as far back as you can. Then let him close his mouth an immediately blow on his nose. This should cause an involuntary reaction:
He'll lick his nose and swallow!

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