Nursing cat has worms, vomiting, pale gums. Vet or home treatment?

Poor Luna! There are many different parasites that she could have been passing in her stool -- roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms. She most likely acquired parasites from her mother either through the placenta or milk. Pyrantel pamoate is a common dewormer used to treat both roundworms and hookworms, but it is not typically started until 2 weeks of age. However, this medication is extremely safe and may be used off-label prior to 2 weeks of age. Ideally, I do recommend taking Luna to a vet to first determine the type of parasite present, and then determine the best treatment for her. It is important to note that not every dewormer treats every type of parasite. I hope this helps and that all goes well for Luna!

Cats get tapeworms by eating fleas so you need to get the flea problem under control or she will continue to get tapeworms. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/tapeworms-of-cats/ ) You can use this dewormer. I suggest you give a dose now and repeat it in 3 weeks. It is safe for nursing moms. If you need to treat the kittens they have to be at least 6 weeks old. ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/bayer-tapeworm-dewormer-tablets-for-cats )

Your friends are correct. She most likely has worms. You don't usually see the worms in the stools. The worm eggs are what is passed in the stools and those are microscopic so you wouldn't see them. The worms suck blood so if she is pale I believe that is also due to worms. It makes the cat anemic; low red blood cell count. It has nothing to do with iron. You can give iron all you want but if there are no red blood cells available to carry it, it is useless. Roundworms and hookworms are the most common worms that cause anemia. I don't know what dewormer you used but I strongly suggest you speak to your local vet about what would be the most effective. Many times what you can purchase over the counter is not the best or most effective product. Also, there are many types of worms and there is not one dewormer that will kill every type of worm. Your vet can run a fecal test to check for the microscopic eggs and then treat accordingly with the appropriate product. One deworming is rarely enough. You may have to repeat dewormings every 3-4 weeks. Your vet can give you a schedule. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Tifa! Thanks for the pictures! The spaghetti noodle things in the vomit are adult round worms, which are an intestinal parasite. Since Tifa is lethargic, not eating and profusely vomiting I would recommend taking her in to the Vet. Hopefully with some supportive care and deworming medications we can get her back to normal. I have, in rare cases, seen intestinal parasites cause an intestinal obstruction. I hope this helps and I wish Tifa a speedy recovery!

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. Continue to keep the kitten separated from mom. They should have been weaned at 8 weeks of age anyway. They should definitely not be drinking her milk now. Keep them separated until her milk dries up. I strongly recommend you have her spayed as soon as possible before she becomes pregnant again. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/spaying-ovariohysterectomy-the-benefits-in-cats/ ) You are also not dosing correctly. They should each be getting a whole tube. As long as they are at least 1.5 pounds in weight they should have a whole tube. If you are unsure of their weight you will need to weigh them. You can get a human baby scale or kitchen scale to weigh them. All animals in the household should receive flea treatment EVERY month and you should also treat the environment for fleas; indoors and outdoors or you will continue to have problems. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-1389-knockout-es-area-treatment.aspx ) ( https://www.allivet.com/p-9065-vet-kem-yard-spray-32-oz.aspx ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Tapeworms don't typically cause major illness in cats and I would be concerned that Tiana has something more serious going on. Other types of intestinal parasites, infectious diseases or even ingestion of a foreign object resulting in an intestinal blockage would be more likely to cause these signs. I would recommend having Tiana examined by your veterinarian. They might recommend checking a stool sample or x-rays depending on what they find on exam. Hope she's feeling better soon!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The worms in the photo appear to be tapeworms or, less commonly, pinworms. these can cause impactions and diarrhea, especially in kittens. Unfortunately, I am unable to prescribe medication for Coco without having examined her. However, your veterinarian can quickly determine the exact type of parasites present with a fecal sample and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Because many parasites are transmitted by fleas, it is important for Coco to be on a monthly flea preventative. You should also be careful when cleaning out her litter box to make sure you wash your hands well with soap and water, as some of these parasites can infect humans. I hope all is well!