[Jessikally]

We have two cats and one dog...all were rescues. One cat had worms when we found her as a stray, an the other two animals were from shelters, so any worms they had were taken care of there...<br><br>
Both cats stay inside (the dog goes outside when he wants to, but is inside most of the day). I just found a worm on one cat (the one that we have never treated for worms)...the other cat was treated years ago, so I know it couldn't be that they just infected each other...It looks like a grain of rice, and was still moving around- DH got it off and disposed of it but now I'm grossed out and freaking out!<br><br>
We have an 8 month old who is into putting EVERYTHING in his mouth...I'm so worried he'll get them! We'll call our vet tomorrow, of course, but I'd love any advice now. How do they get them if they don't go outside?! How high is the risk that my son can get them? Any advice on what to do until the vet can address it?

 

[mothragirl]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Jessikally</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7909730"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">We have two cats and one dog...all were rescues. One cat had worms when we found her as a stray, an the other two animals were from shelters, so any worms they had were taken care of there...<br><br>
Both cats stay inside (the dog goes outside when he wants to, but is inside most of the day). I just found a worm on one cat (the one that we have never treated for worms)...the other cat was treated years ago, so I know it couldn't be that they just infected each other...It looks like a grain of rice, and was still moving around- DH got it off and disposed of it but now I'm grossed out and freaking out!<br><br>
We have an 8 month old who is into putting EVERYTHING in his mouth...I'm so worried he'll get them! We'll call our vet tomorrow, of course, but I'd love any advice now. How do they get them if they don't go outside?! How high is the risk that my son can get them? Any advice on what to do until the vet can address it?</div>
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they get them from eating fleas. you can get a medicine at petsmart and make sure you treat the fleas too or the worms will come back.

 

[Jessikally]

So it's not a vet-worthy issue? I can just get the medicine at the pet store?<br><br>
I've checked all the animals for fleas and don't see any...I'll still treat them, but could there be another culprit?

 

[mesa]

look for a med that covers tapeworms. Back in the day, my dog (who never had fleas) came down with tapeworm, and I had to get a prescription pill from my vet.<br><br>
Was it on her bum?

 

[mothragirl]

you can get OTC or a prescription worm pills. if you get the OTC you have to get the expensive ones, not the cheapos.

 

[QueenOfThePride]

Your cat has tapeworms. Regular deworming medicine doesn't kill tapeworms. That's why she still has them after deworming. You need to get stuff specifically for tapeworms. You can get it at the pet store, it's OTC. The only product I've seen for tapeworms is a pill. Tapeworms are transmitted through eating fleas, but she might have had this before she came to your house. The only way your DD would be infected is if she ate an infected flea.