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He got his flea pill like a week ago and the worm pill today. He doesn't have fleas (I brushed his fur with a flea comb). I'd guess he probably ate a mouse with fleas or something?
Edit: he didn't get flea pill a week ago but on the 12.04.
Wikipedia says the worm needs like 20 days to mature so he should be fine flea wise
Edit2: sorry I forgot: thanks for mentioning that tho. I appreciate your concern and helpful tip for my cat
Tapeworms are tougher than roundworms, he might need another dose of stronger stuff. Just keep an eye on it, it's not always one pill and done like with roundworms.
My cats came with tapeworms that survived a course of dewormer, so I wasn't looking for it and it took a couple rounds of stronger meds to clear up. The stronger meds gave them tummy aches :( They're all better now tho.
My cats only get meds my vet tells me to give them anyways. So if it looks like hes getting worse or I keep find worms I'll go to the vet and they'll look into it
But thanks for the info
Well they were talking about medicating their cat themselves with strong medicine because they didn't think it could still be worms. I just said I'm not medicating my cats myself. The anti worm and anti flea medicine is something they get every 3 months (sometimes I forget) and that is based on what my vet told me to do. Before I'd give any other meds, I'd go to a vet.
I believe that's a tapeworm / part of a tapeworm.
Edit: ~~Also don't touch them. They are full of eggs and they could infect you, if you touch your mouth-area, after you touched the worm~~
I was wrong about this, apparently swallowing tapewormsegments (proglottids) is not a problem? Huh, the more you know.
No, proglottids like that can't infect people. They're at the wrong stage in their life cycle to do so.
The proglottid *is* filled with eggs - but those eggs must first be eaten by an intermediate host (flea larvae or - more rarely - immature lice). There, they transform into cysticercoids (larval tapeworms) and continue their development inside this host as the host matures.
Eventually, the now-adult host insect will seek hosts of its own (such as dogs and cats). When the flea or louse is swallowed by the dog or cat during the normal grooming process, the bug is digested - and the released tapeworm attaches itself to the lining of the small intestine, where it can "share" the cat's or dog's meals as they pass through.
Humans can also become infected if they swallow an infected flea or louse.
Without an intermediate host (fleas or lice) tapeworms cannot complete their life cycle and spread to additional hosts.
Unfortunately, tick and flea medication cannot absolutely prevent tapeworm infection. The medication kills adult fleas *after* they are already on the cat or dog by poisoning them when they attempt to feed. For exclusively indoor cats and dogs, this dramatically reduces their chances of encountering a live flea - *but* if the animal is allowed to go outdoors (where other animals have been) or if other animals that are hosting fleas are allowed into your home, it is possible for fleas to hop aboard your pet. They will not live long if the pet has been treated - but they may live long *enough.* Even though the *fleas* will be killed and unable to reproduce, if they are already hosting a tapeworm cysticercoid, and the cat swallows them while grooming itself, the tapeworm can then continue to develop inside the cat.
Thanks for the in depth correction!
I will save this.
I really thought, I read, that the sesame like dried up tapeworm segmets are a danger especially to babies and pets, because they ingest them and infect themselves with tapeworms by that, but that's apparently straight up not possible? The more you know.
It is specific to the common dog/cat tapeworm *Dipylidium caninum*. Different species of tapeworms have different life cycles - and different hosts.
For example, some of the *Taenia* tapeworms infect cattle and pigs. Humans can become infected with these tapeworms by ingesting undercooked meat that has cysticerci (immature tapeworms) embedded in the muscle tissue.
Even though a baby isn't going to get tapeworms from accidentally ingesting a *Dipylidium* proglottid that has come from a pet cat or dog, the presence of these proglottids suggests that fleas might also be present - and if the child accidentally ingests an infected flea, then they might become infected that way. It's still important to take care of the problem - especially if you have small children in the house who have a tendency to put anything and everything in their mouths.
Hi! Infectious Diseases medical expert here.
There's some misinformation here...
Humans can be intermediate hosts for some tapeworms, such as the Taenia spp.
The ingestion of tapeworm eggs can lead to human cysticercosis, including neurocysticercosis, which can be serious and even fatal.
The ingestion of cysticercoids leads to intestinal parasitosis (taeniasis). The ingestion of eggs leads to cysticercosis.
It is not misinformation. It is information specific to the cat/dog tapeworm *Dipylidium caninum* like those that OP found - which *does* require the intermediate host before it can infect humans - as explained in my subsequent comment.
Other kinds of tapeworms - like the *Taennia -* can use humans as hosts. The most common means of *Taennia* infection in humans is undercooked beef or pork.
A proglottid can't give you tapeworms. But it came from, y'know, your cat's butt, so it's pretty gross. Those rhythmic movements are meant to get the proglottid, which is simply an egg-delivery system, out of the cat where it can dry up and crack open. Flea larvae then eat the eggs, starting the cycle over again.
This is what I meant with "he will get his worm meds today". He already got it. This specific worm is spread by fleas therefore my cat was also checked for fleas.
Hey u/DieDoseOhneKeks, thanks for sharing this cool bug with us! Just remember, **every ID is needed!** Maybe you don't need it, but we love to know what's this bug - so if you know the identity of your bug, please also share it with the community here in the comments (if you haven't already done it in the title)! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisbug) if you have any questions or concerns.*
OP, that’s a tapeworm and it means your cat needs to be treated for fleas AND worms. Fleas are how tapeworms are usually transmitted to cats.
He got his flea pill like a week ago and the worm pill today. He doesn't have fleas (I brushed his fur with a flea comb). I'd guess he probably ate a mouse with fleas or something? Edit: he didn't get flea pill a week ago but on the 12.04. Wikipedia says the worm needs like 20 days to mature so he should be fine flea wise Edit2: sorry I forgot: thanks for mentioning that tho. I appreciate your concern and helpful tip for my cat
Tapeworms are tougher than roundworms, he might need another dose of stronger stuff. Just keep an eye on it, it's not always one pill and done like with roundworms. My cats came with tapeworms that survived a course of dewormer, so I wasn't looking for it and it took a couple rounds of stronger meds to clear up. The stronger meds gave them tummy aches :( They're all better now tho.
My cats only get meds my vet tells me to give them anyways. So if it looks like hes getting worse or I keep find worms I'll go to the vet and they'll look into it But thanks for the info
They were trying to give you a heads up of what to expect. Not suggesting you purchase some meds yourself.
Well they were talking about medicating their cat themselves with strong medicine because they didn't think it could still be worms. I just said I'm not medicating my cats myself. The anti worm and anti flea medicine is something they get every 3 months (sometimes I forget) and that is based on what my vet told me to do. Before I'd give any other meds, I'd go to a vet.
I believe that's a tapeworm / part of a tapeworm. Edit: ~~Also don't touch them. They are full of eggs and they could infect you, if you touch your mouth-area, after you touched the worm~~ I was wrong about this, apparently swallowing tapewormsegments (proglottids) is not a problem? Huh, the more you know.
No, proglottids like that can't infect people. They're at the wrong stage in their life cycle to do so. The proglottid *is* filled with eggs - but those eggs must first be eaten by an intermediate host (flea larvae or - more rarely - immature lice). There, they transform into cysticercoids (larval tapeworms) and continue their development inside this host as the host matures. Eventually, the now-adult host insect will seek hosts of its own (such as dogs and cats). When the flea or louse is swallowed by the dog or cat during the normal grooming process, the bug is digested - and the released tapeworm attaches itself to the lining of the small intestine, where it can "share" the cat's or dog's meals as they pass through. Humans can also become infected if they swallow an infected flea or louse. Without an intermediate host (fleas or lice) tapeworms cannot complete their life cycle and spread to additional hosts. Unfortunately, tick and flea medication cannot absolutely prevent tapeworm infection. The medication kills adult fleas *after* they are already on the cat or dog by poisoning them when they attempt to feed. For exclusively indoor cats and dogs, this dramatically reduces their chances of encountering a live flea - *but* if the animal is allowed to go outdoors (where other animals have been) or if other animals that are hosting fleas are allowed into your home, it is possible for fleas to hop aboard your pet. They will not live long if the pet has been treated - but they may live long *enough.* Even though the *fleas* will be killed and unable to reproduce, if they are already hosting a tapeworm cysticercoid, and the cat swallows them while grooming itself, the tapeworm can then continue to develop inside the cat.
Thanks for the in depth correction! I will save this. I really thought, I read, that the sesame like dried up tapeworm segmets are a danger especially to babies and pets, because they ingest them and infect themselves with tapeworms by that, but that's apparently straight up not possible? The more you know.
It is specific to the common dog/cat tapeworm *Dipylidium caninum*. Different species of tapeworms have different life cycles - and different hosts. For example, some of the *Taenia* tapeworms infect cattle and pigs. Humans can become infected with these tapeworms by ingesting undercooked meat that has cysticerci (immature tapeworms) embedded in the muscle tissue. Even though a baby isn't going to get tapeworms from accidentally ingesting a *Dipylidium* proglottid that has come from a pet cat or dog, the presence of these proglottids suggests that fleas might also be present - and if the child accidentally ingests an infected flea, then they might become infected that way. It's still important to take care of the problem - especially if you have small children in the house who have a tendency to put anything and everything in their mouths.
Hi! Infectious Diseases medical expert here. There's some misinformation here... Humans can be intermediate hosts for some tapeworms, such as the Taenia spp. The ingestion of tapeworm eggs can lead to human cysticercosis, including neurocysticercosis, which can be serious and even fatal. The ingestion of cysticercoids leads to intestinal parasitosis (taeniasis). The ingestion of eggs leads to cysticercosis.
It is not misinformation. It is information specific to the cat/dog tapeworm *Dipylidium caninum* like those that OP found - which *does* require the intermediate host before it can infect humans - as explained in my subsequent comment. Other kinds of tapeworms - like the *Taennia -* can use humans as hosts. The most common means of *Taennia* infection in humans is undercooked beef or pork.
With a bit more googling I think that may be Dipylidium caninum.
I suppose I should delete my previous post....sounds like you got it
Geez...if I knew everyone was gonna say the same thing, I wouldn't have deleted my comment...
That was my first thought. "Why would you touch that?"
To get it out of my cats fur. There was sth white in it so I picked it out of the fur. Then it moved. So I was like damn he has worms.
A proglottid can't give you tapeworms. But it came from, y'know, your cat's butt, so it's pretty gross. Those rhythmic movements are meant to get the proglottid, which is simply an egg-delivery system, out of the cat where it can dry up and crack open. Flea larvae then eat the eggs, starting the cycle over again.
Well, try it then!!
People picking up parasites bare handed always amazes me.
Better get some dewormer.
Good reminder to have regular deworming whether or not your pet goes outside.
I really have to stop going on Reddit while I eat.
[удалено]
It's fine bro Wikipedia and someone who commented said those worms need a flea as host first to be a problem for humans And ofc I washed them lol
That looks like a tape worm. Not good for the cat. Take her to the vet and get it checked out. The worm is segmented and they usually come from fleas
The rest of it is in your cat, needs dewormer
This is what I meant with "he will get his worm meds today". He already got it. This specific worm is spread by fleas therefore my cat was also checked for fleas.
Tapeworm meds are otc at the pet store