I am currently fostering three beautiful kittens that are about 6 weeks old. I have had them for about a week. They eat and drink and play and sleep incredibly well. However, one of them (we named him Nelson) had unformed soft stools in in the first four or five days and I think he threw up on the first day. I watched carefully for more signs but his stool has gotten firmer and firmer but I was still worried about worms. Yesterday I gave in and looked for worms in his stool and the only things I could find were tiny round white dots. These dots could be from our kitty litter (Fresh Step) but does anyone think they could be the worms or would I know for sure? I heard that tapeworms are in rice like segments but these dots are really really small. None of the kittens had any fleas so perhaps these are roundworms or hookworms? Or perhaps it is just simply kittty litter and I am freaking out a bit?
Answers:
dots? worms are not dots, they are worms. were they wriggling?
if the kittens are not being wormed however, then yes, they probably will have worms, if not now, then very soon.
all cats and dogs need to be wormed, forster one or not. If you are fostering for a legitimate agency, they should be supplying you with worming medication or the money to get some.
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if theres stuff comin goutta there buts.besides poop...then yo umight wanna get that checked out. :) your welcome
Probably worth chcking out, especially if the kitty's appetite is never satisfied, a common sign of worms. Worms are really simple to treat, so just capture a sample of his stool and bring it to the vet to check.
It is quite likely that your kittens have worms,
They are born with them and need to be wormed every two weeks until they are 12 weeks of age and then ever 3 months after that.
The soft stools can be caused by change of diet or change of environment as well as worms.
Kittens are funny, it is not uncommon for just one kitten to be (obviously) effected by changes, worms, etc while its litter mates are fine.
If you have any questions about this don't drive yourself crazy, just take the cat to the vet. There is no reason to worry when all it takes is a trip to the vet to get an answer. Actually, it never hurts to get your kittens taken to the vet when you have questions. The cats' lives are too important to leave questions unanswered. Go off to the vet and you will feel better.
I think it's a good idea to take them in to get dewormed, because chances are they do have worms or will get them very soon.
Well Tori, I will say that tape worms don't always show up on a stool sample and sometimes born with all kinds with worms. The way to check for tape worms is when the kitty goes poop, immediately lift that tail and you will see a white tiny worm going back into the butt. I know, it is sickening. I had to do it one year when the whole Chicago area was infected with fleas and our cats were never let out doors but those things find a way. So try that way and you got to be fast cuz those worms go back in so fast. Soft stools could be just from an upset tummy or the food. Do not feed them human milk nor cheese, always have fresh water. but of course you probably already know this. If you see blood in the stool, then round worms but that is when the worms get real big and into an adult cat. You can take a stool sample into the vet and have the people pay for the sample to be checked. ( the ones you are fostering for),It won't show up tape worms. Check the bedding, sometimes they come out when the cats are asleep. Yes, little white dots can be tape worms. I wish you the best. I don't think you should pay for the test because you are giving so much by fostering these kittens. But one more thing, it is a possibility they were de wormed before you got them. Call the ones who you are doing this favor for and ask their vet that did it if they say they took the kittens there. Just to make sure someone won't lie because they fear no foster home. You are a nice person. Try changing litter. Use Tidy cat, the kind that has on the front of it, new, tidy lock, it has no smell to it and you can see more but the best way is watch so right after it poops, lift that tail and have a mask on unles your stomach is stronger than mine.
you know you could take them to the vet but the prices are so outrageous now a days that you mostly depend on the local pet store people, but diarrea is one sign and bloody stools are another and if it's worms your whole household of pets probably get it. I found an article on the subject for you
The white dots most likely are pieces of litter that they ingested while cleaning themselves.
Anyway, 6 weeks is the standard age for the first de-worming treatment. People generally give a second dose 2 weeks after the first.
Purrs,
The Cat Lady
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