Why does my cat get tapeworms so quickly when my other cat doesn't?

What you're seeing is most likely tapeworms. Tapeworms are intestinal parasites of the cat and dog. They belong to a different family than hookworms and roundworms, which are the other common intestinal parasites of dogs and cats. Fleas are the intermediate host for tapeworms. In other words, the tapeworm is unable to complete its life cycle without the presence of fleas in the environment. Regardless of whether the owner may have seen fleas, the cat must have ingested a flea in order to have tapeworms. Consequently, tapeworms are more common in environments that are heavily infested with fleas. Most commonly, owners recognize that the cat has tapeworms and bring this to the attention of the veterinarian. When segments of the tapeworm break off and pass into the cat's stool, they can be seen crawling on the surface of the feces. These proglottid segments look like grains of cooked white rice or cucumber seeds. Less commonly, segments are seen moving around the cat's anus. A variety of products are available to treat tapeworms in cats but they are not all equally effective. For the best advice on the type of de-worming preparation most suitable for your cat, you should seek the help of your veterinarian. The most effective worming products are only available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian. Flea control, both environmental and on the cat is necessary to help prevent this from recurring.

Hi there. Yes, this appears to be a tapeworm segment. Cats generally get them from fleas, or from catching and eating rodents - they can't catch it directly from each other. Many over-the-counter dewormers are not effective against tapeworms, so you'll need to check the label on the one you're using. If it doesn't contain praziquantel, it won't work. The best option would be to get a prescription dewormer from your veterinarian to make sure the meds will be effective. I would also recommend making sure that all of your cats are on a good quality flea control medication like Revolution or Bravecto, to help prevent reinfection once they've been dewormed. If they hunt outside regularly, they should be routinely dewormed every 2-3 months to prevent tapes from returning.

Hello. The two extra holes you are seeing are the anal glands, all dogs & cats have them. Sometimes it takes more than one deworming to remove all worms or he picked up another case of tapeworms. If he hunts or has fleas, he will always be exposed to the possibility of picking up a new tapeworm infestation. Keep him indoors & on a flea preventative & this will curtail the tapeworm problem. Otherwise, it is OK to deworm whenever you see the tapeworms. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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!

If Jellybean's tapeworm infection is bad enough that she is very weak or ill I would seek veterinary care immediately. While treating the worms may help, it is best she gets veterinary care in addition including potential IV fluids, anemia treatments, etc to help her recover. Your vet can also monitor treatment progress to see if additional action needs to be taken to remove all the worms and keep Jellybean comfortable.

I wouldn't be too concerned. I would recommend repeating treatment in two weeks just to make sure they do not have tapeworms again. I would also recommend a stool sample at your regular veterinarian to make sure there are no other intestinal parasites. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for posting the question. Tapeworms are very common in hunting cats, and usually don't cause significant disease. If they were all fathered by the same male they may have had either a congenital (birth defect) problem or even an infectious disease like feline leukemia. I'm so sorry for all the loss you have had. I hope these mamas continue to be healthy!