Tapeworm

Tapeworms are long, flat, segmented worms that live in a cat's small intestine. The most common one, Dipylidium caninum, is carried by fleas. A cat that swallows an infected flea while grooming becomes infected. A second type, Taenia, comes from eating infected rodents, rabbits or birds, so hunting cats are at risk.

Owners rarely see the whole worm. They notice small white or cream segments, like grains of rice or cucumber seeds, stuck to the fur around the tail, on the bedding or in the stool. A cat may lick or scoot its bottom. Most cats stay healthy and keep a good appetite, though heavy infestations can cause weight loss or an upset stomach. Tapeworm eggs are often missed on routine stool tests, so the segments themselves are the main clue.

Treat the fleas as well as the worm. A vet prescribes a dewormer that works against tapeworm, because many roundworm products do not, and discusses flea control so that the cat does not become reinfected. People can catch the flea tapeworm only by swallowing a flea, which mostly affects small children. Collect a segment in a clean container if you can and ask your vet to identify it.