I think we have worms!

[JackAndGills]

We (the people members of the family) all seem to have itchy bottoms so I'm guessing we must have got worms from our cats who must have worms too

They all get treated for fleas, but still have a few on them, but I'm less thourough re worming as can't get them to take the tablets and I'm too sqeamish to poke them down their little throats.

So......... what do I need to do?

What's the least embarrassing way to get the people worm issue sorted? Surely I don't have to show my GP my bottom

I suppose I need to wash bedlinen etc?

And do I just need to get some worming tablets down the cats?

What else do I need to do?

How can I prevent this happening again?

There's a lot to this one.

If you suspect human worms, I'm afraid that it's trip to the doctor right away. It's not that embarrassing but you need to do it - after all, it migh not be the cats who are transmitting the problem. (It's possible but not that common so if you have DCs at school, transmission from other kids is the likeliest method - poor toileting hygiene for example.)

Maybe one of the vets who post will comment but I'd be treating all the animals (humans and cats) independently. Have you established whethr the humans actually have worms and if so, what type? And what are the cats' toileting habits? (ie do they go outside or use litter trays - and what exposure might family members have to their faeces by such means as cleaning trays or playing in or near ground that has been soiled.)

By the way, you can get a spot on wormer. (My own cat is resistant to pills to the point of phobia - even his vet won't attempt to give him one) and they work very well and very easily indeed. There's a new one around called Broadline which does fleas and all worms in a oner so I'd be asking the vet for help on that one. You yeally shouldn't be tolerating fleas at all (you said that they had some on them) so whatever you're using at the moment doesn't sound as if it's working.

And Yes - up the housework levels with laundering, hoovering and using a spray such as Indorex or - Acclaim I think it is? You should be doing that for the fleas anyway as well as the worms because it sounds as if you have an endemic problem.

How many cats do you have?

I have 3 cats and a dog. DCs are older teenagers.

When I mentioned to the vet that the cats still had some fleas despite being treated, she said this was normal if they go outdoors and the fleas would die within hours.

Regarding the cats toiletting -they have a litter tray (which I clean) and also go outside.

I've had worms, I had a liquid suspension medication and they went.

The dr will have seen worms before.

I got some tablets from Boots (for the people) which are hopefully doing their job.