Worms? Or something more sinister? Samantha looking iffy.

[Mark]

Hope we get some news from HK soon - its worrying that she hasn't been on yet

Edit - meant to post on the other thread 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I dont worm my cats either but the vet uses a spot om wormer on 3 of them and last year managed to give Misa a pill cos he didnt know about pills but he does now 

We are off for their annuals in next few weeks ......................groan.

[Ela]

bit remiss about worming them, unless they show symptoms (

The trouble with that is usually cats do not show signs of infestation until the problem is endemic. Far better to treat on a regular basis.       

[Hippykitty]

Considering what's happened to Polly, I'm not using Milbemax again. All being well, will buy Drontal online. But I'm a bit remiss about worming them, unless they show symptoms (Sam had a pot belly). Wish I'd left Sam with her belly!

[Millys Mum]

I wasn't offered Drontal at the vet's

My vets stopped selling drontal, they are so cheap online i guess they couldnt compete.

[Hippykitty]

Samantha is looking better today, but Polly is acting weird. She's staggering, especially with her back legs. I've had a look at the Milbemax website

www.wormfree.co.uk

and it mentions that this is a possible reaction to the drug, and will pass within a day or so.

Has anyone else had this reaction?

I wasn't offered Drontal at the vet's. They just asked how big my cats are.

Samantha's shape seems better. She's eating well, and is looking better. No discolouring of her ears or skin. Checked her eyes too, no jaundice.

If it's not one, it's the other. Polly really worried me earlier when she walked drunkenly across my bedroom. As she's never done this before, I checked the possible reactions to the wormer. Pretty certain it's that.

[Mark]

The vet always worms my cats and he has never asked when they last ate - I would guess that Ela is right that there is a better chance of the worm/s eating the pill if there is food as well.

[crazycatz]

how long after feeding should i give a worm tablet ?

in the past ive always given my girls the tablet then fed them straight afterwards .Is that right or wrong?

[Ela]

I too would would take the little one to the vets ASAP, I am not a vet and would not take the risk to treat for things my little one may not have and allow the problem to get worse.

Read the packet AFTER I had given the pill, it says it should be given after or with food. I gave it on an empty tum (theirs, not mine!); does this matter?

In a word, yes. I would think the worms go for the food and therefore the worm preparation. Also it is possible for tablets to irritate the stomach if given on an empty stomach.

[Mark]

Just echoing what others have said.

Re Drontal - if you get them through VETUK, they are only £1.59 each with free postage. It says the dosage is 1 tablet per 4kg bodyweight. Underdosing may not be effective.

[Desley (booktigger)]

I would take her to the vets asap Hippy, just to be on the safe side, esp with the water drinking. While kidney and liver issues are eventually fatal, just getting the diagnosis doesn't immediately mean you will lose them. Good luck.

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

Off to the vets with you! 

I'd like to add to your list the following possibilities:

Hernia

Constipation

Bowel tumor

There's only one way to tell.

Best of luck

Jxxx

[lilycat]

Sorry to hear Sam isn't well - I hope she's better soon 

I'll leave the advice to someone more knowledgeable than me   

[Hippykitty]

Earlier today I noticed, when we were both in the kitchen, that Sam has a large paunch high up in her stomach area (sort of under her rib cage). The first thing I thought of was liver problems. I've had one cat (Minnie) die from an FLV related liver tumour, she swelled in her rib cage, but also turned yellow. She was the same basic colour pattern as Sam; the inside of her ears changed from normal to orange to yellow, and the skin under her black fur went from the normal blue-grey to orangey yellow.

I checked Sam's colouring, it looks normal.

I made a list of possible problems.

Furball.
Worms.
Liver problems.
Kidney problems.

I know old cats are very subject to the last two, and it's usually fatal. I've decided to treat her for worms and furball first. If this doesn't work, she's off to the vet.

I'm ashamed to admit that I don't regularly worm my cats, partly because of the stress on their aged systems. But I popped to the vet and got them some Milbemax AT £4 PER TABLET! They had to have half each. I also bought some Katalax at a disgusting price; but if it works, I don't care about the money.

Could any peeps tell me how long it takes for the Milbemax to work please? Had no probs getting it into them, did it before they properly woke, and poked it down their throats. You should have seen the dirty looks   

They have been recently Frontlined.

How long should I wait before defurring them? I don't want the worming pill to go straight through. Having said that, Sam threw up a fur ball in the lounge earlier (hope she didn't throw up the pill!!). She's still not the right shape.

Read the packet AFTER I had given the pill, it says it should be given after or with food. I gave it on an empty tum (theirs, not mine!); does this matter?

Worried about Sam. She's been drinking water lately, something I don't normally notice. But I've stopped giving her milk - she developed a lactose intolerance and kept throwing it up! I've always encouraged her to drink, cos she's had several bouts of cystitis. Hope this isn't a sign of a wonky kidney!

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated, thanks.