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My cat has white specks near her anus. Is it tapeworm after deworming?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 5 years and 9 months old | 9 lbs

Our cat received milbemax at the beginning of June from our vet. However she has some white specks that appear near her anus lately, and we are worried it's tapeworm. Could a tapeworm hatch and grow to the point of pieces breaking off only two months after receiving a deworming tablet? I've attached pictures. She suffers from high social stress so we don't want to take her to the vet unnecessarily.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on July 31st, 2017

These do indeed look like tapeworm segments, so BV will definitely need to be treated again. Normally, to make sure that all life stages of the tapeworms are killed, the initial deworming dose needs to be repeated in 14 days - so if this wasn't done the last time she was treated, this could by why the problem has recurred. She may also simply have become re-infected, either from fleas or from eating dead rodents or other animals if she hunts outdoors.

I would recommend calling your vet to let them know that you are seeing tapeworm segments again - they may be able to have you come and pick up another dose of dewormer for her, rather than requiring another exam since she was just seen for this problem two months ago.
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