Ask the Veterinarian
Cat Health issues

Q. I recently adopted a young male cat found roaming our neighborhood. Having a very limited income I've had him neutered through Friend of Animals and got discount shots at a local pet store chain.

Yesterday Buddy vomited a long (3 1/2") skinny white worm (still alive!). What kind of wormer should I buy, perhaps I could get it over the internet? I can't take him to a vet my husband won't let me spend much on a pet.

Please help, I don't want him to be sick. Thank You For your Help.

A. Your kitten could have round worms or possibly tape worms. Dewormers such as Panacur or Strongid should be able to take care of the round worms and Droncit for the tape worms.

Check with your regular vet. Usually a fecal exam and some dewormer is not too pricey. You can skip the fecal exam if you would like and just deworm the kitten to save some money.

Q.I have a serious problem with my 10 year old male cat.

He has recently stopped eating and become restless. He was licking his lips a lot and trying to eat grass. I took him to my vet. He ran a urine test and two sets of blood work-no leukemia, no aids, no kidney problems showed up even though the vet said his kidneys felt swollen.

His white blood cell count was very low. He started him on zeniquin, but he still won't eat. He cries for food, but just won't eat.

I love this cat so much, and it hurts me to see him suffering. Please let me know something else I can try.

A. I am a bit stumped on this one. If your cat has stopped eating this could be serious, especially since if he is overweight it could lead to a serious liver problem, hepatic lipidosis.

I would recommend the following tests: CBC, a full chemistry panel, if they have not bee done, and consider abdominal ultrasound, radiographs and possibly a GI endoscopy (taking a flexible camera, passing it down the esophagus and into the GI tract so as to evaluate it)

With the low WBCs that is a concern and they may drawn to a source of inflammation or infection.