Small grain-like debris around tail

[lmccaff]

My two indoor cats, Elvis & Ringo, always leave tiny, grain-like waxy debris wherever they have been lying - all cats always leave a little area of shed hair - this debris always goes along with it. I am constantly using a lint roller on these areas - today I noticed that there are 8-10 little grains under Elvis' tail, near the anus. Is this a sign of a parasite? Both cats are otherwise the picture of health - glossy, good appetites, no suspicious scratching or discomfort. This debris is very concise little granules - not flakes or anything.[/img]

[Tina B and crew]

Are the white and look like rice grains? If so it is likely from tapeworms....calls for a vet visit to have kitty treated. Hopefully you keep kitty indoors only since tapeworms are carried by fleas. Your vet can give you some Advantage or Frontline to treat the fleas too.

[lmccaff]

Thank you - they are smaller than rice, more like little seeds; definitely time to go to the vet (initially I thought it was ear wax or something but their ears are perfect). And yes, they are 100% indoor cats. Very well isolated from other critters.
Thanks you for your kind reply - I'll go see the doc
Lisa M.

[Traci]

Tina is correct, most likely tapeworms. Also NEVER ever treat these yourself with over-the-counter meds, since they are worthless and also dangerous. Vet visit promptly.

[Tina B and crew]

Glad you are going to see the vet...they should be able to get rid of them fairly easily. Gross looking little things they are....

Traci, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't fleas the main cause of tape worms?

[lmccaff]

Thank you Traci and Tina.
Lisa M.

[Traci]

Tina, yep. I suppose we should have added that in responding to lmccaff...if there are tapeworms, there are fleas. Lmccaff, please ask your vet about SAFE products to use if fleas are present, we only recommend Advantage for Cats or Frontline for Cats, over-the-counter products for fleas are deadly!