I feel for you. I have 2 cats that are major hunters so I have dealt with worms. My first experience was my Lucy puking up a pile of live ones on my kitchen floor!!!!! It was like a horror movie. Anyway, now they get them all the time. Especially in the spring when the hunting is in full force. They get them from fleas and from eating rodents. I give them frontline for the fleas but I can't control the rodent hunting.
Anyway, the small pieces (proglottids) you find on the bedding and sometimes attached to their fur on their back ends are pieces of the tapeworm that break off and are expelled through their butts. They look like cucumber seeds (never want to eat cucumbers again huh?!!) They are alive when they first come out and if they find a host, they will develop into a long tapeworm. I have 3 children and was totally freaked out by this. Most of the ones I've found are dried out and dead. If you google tapeworm you can read about/see pics of these. DON'T DO IT IF YOU'RE REALLY SQUEAMISH!!!It will just freak you out more.
It's been about 2 years since my first experience and while it still grosses me out, I'm getting used to it. My vet gives us Drontal tablets and that takes care of it (until they ingest another) If my puppy gets one I will cry but at least I know what it is and that it can be treated.You'll get through it. However, I'm sure you'll be a constant "butt checker" like I am now!!!! |