Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: EmmaB on April 17, 2012, 17:24:48 PM
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Hi all
I have just noticed that where my cat has been there are all these very small hard white balls which i guess have come out of her fur.
I de-flea her regularly.
Im just worried what these things are. There are also black bits too
Thanks in advance
:)
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Sounds like flea eggs and flea dirt.
If you add a bit of water to the black bits, if they then turn rusty red its flea dirt and your cat is being bitten.
Which flea stuff do you uses as there are many reports now of Frontline not being effective any more.
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It certainly sounds like fleas to me have you noticed her scratching? I am still using Frontline on Oscar and it seems to work but will get the vet's opinion when he has his boosters next month
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I've been using Frontline
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It may be flea larvae but I would err on the side of worms here.
If these balls remotely resemble sesame seeds, then she's shedding worm segments. These "sesame seeds" are the dried segments of tapeworm as they detach from the adult worm forming inside the cat.
These will come from her bottom but you don't tend to see them there until the infestation is quite heavy. Normally the first sign your cat needs worming is sesame seeds in her bedding. These may well transfer into her coat as she sleeps and grooms herself which is why you are seeing them there.
If they're like little white rice grains, it's tape worm in it's undried form.
If they're like polystyrene balls, they're polystyrene balls and you've lost a beanbag to providence :rofl:
Loads of advice on-line about worms, and you can get very good meds on-line (animed or VetUK are excellent, no prescription needed for most standard worm treatments) but your first port of call should be your vet if you've not had her treated for worms in the past, just so he can check she's thriving and advise you on the correct dosage for her weight etc.
PS tapeworm infestation is directly linked to fleas as the flea carries the tapeworm eggs - one naturally leads to the other so if you have treated her fot fleas in the past, it's likely she's been hosting a worm or two since then.
Don't worry - very common problem easily solved.
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I would change to advantage or stronghold from frontline.........the dark specks probably are related to fleas but until you have worked out worms or fleas or bean bags for the other I will refrain from suggesting lol
I have never seen worm eggs but have seen a rice segmant when I had Kocka
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If you add a bit of water to the black bits, if they then turn rusty red its flea dirt and your cat is being bitten.
I did this test and the black bits turned rusty red
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If they're like little white rice grains, it's tape worm in it's undried form.
This is what they look like, very tiny and hard but there is also the black bits. When i did the test as the other member suggested, it turned rusty red as she thought they would
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Many thanks for all your help :)
:thanks:
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PS tapeworm infestation is directly linked to fleas as the flea carries the tapeworm eggs - one naturally leads to the other so if you have treated her fot fleas in the past, it's likely she's been hosting a worm or two since then.
Don't worry - very common problem easily solved.
I like these solutions - we're all right! Flea/worm combo yippee.
Sorry to appear flippant, but isn't it nice to know its something simple and treatable? ;D
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I agree and something that is known and easy to treat is great ;D
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Emma, just as a matter or interest my cat developed a flea allergy a few years ago. I had previously been treating her with Frontline and my vet told me that fleas were becoming immune to it. I use Stronghold now which makes all the difference - you will need to speak to a vet about this one though as I think it's a prescription one.
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i use stronghold and definately a prescription one but is very good
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Emma, just as a matter or interest my cat developed a flea allergy a few years ago. I had previously been treating her with Frontline and my vet told me that fleas were becoming immune to it. I use Stronghold now which makes all the difference - you will need to speak to a vet about this one though as I think it's a prescription one.
Thanks. I'll go to my vets and see if they can order me some :)