Why is my cat sick and dizzy after deworming for rice-like worms?

I would recommend taking Toby to another veterinarian if you are not comfortable with your veterinarian's diagnosis and treatment. If the stuff that is stuck to his anus looks like little bits of rice it could be tapeworms. Only certain dewormers will help with these worms. So it depends on what dewormer was given to say if it worked or not. Also tapeworms are caused by them eating fleas at some point. I would talk with friends and neighbors to see what veterinarians in your area people recommend. I hope Toby feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There are different dewormers and which one is used depends on which worm is affecting the patient. I recommend that you have Dusty evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They may choose to check for parasites and to start medications for diarrhea depending on the results. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Hi Joanna, you really need to get a second opinion from another vert. It sounds like a hypersensitivity reaction to the topical deworming treatment. He needs an injection of an anti-inflammatory/steroid and anti-histamine and some fluids to counteract the reaction. He should feel better pretty quickly after that treatment.

Poor Frodo! Some cats do vomit during deworming due to the strength of the medication combined with the parasites moving through the GI system. These side effects should only last a few days, so if it's been longer than that, I would be concerned that it could be due to something else, such as a GI illness, a foreign body, or pancreatitis. I recommend withholding food for 12 hours, then feeding a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the vomiting continues in the absence of food, he vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. It’s fine to give them the tapeworm medicine but I would wait until tomorrow. Then give it to them with some food like white meat chicken (no bones). I hope this helps!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Little white pieces that look like rice are tapeworms. The tapeworms might be coming out because they are dying from the dewormer. Tapeworms are transmissible between species so your cat and yourself can get tapeworms. I would wash all the blankets in hot water, and avoid letting her sit in places where your face would go. The transmission to other animals is by eating the eggs/pieces of rice looking things that are coming out. Also, I would talk to your vet about getting another deworming dose, and make sure the product covers for tapeworms. Best of luck with Haylee.

I would call your vet with this update. I would not expect these symptoms in a normal cat with tapeworms. Occasionally, in pets with a really large worm burden, the dying worms can cause a blockage in the intestines. The vet should be able to help you decide if Christina needs to be re-evaluated.