After I fed my cats this morning, they came back upstairs when they were done eating. My female cat, who is about 8 years old, started meowing and growling. At first I thought one of the other cats was trying to intimidate her or play rough. That wasn't the case and she continued meowing. I could tell she wasn't feeling well. I picked her up and put her in my bedroom away from the other cats, with a fresh bowl of water and a clean litter box.
About 5 minutes later, she went to the litter box. While she was going to the bathroom, she was meowing like she was in pain. I looked at her feces when she was done. It was kind of slippery or mucousy. I then noticed a white thing crawling on the feces, which I assume is a worm. I've never heard or noticed her meowing in pain while relieving herself. I also never noticed worms on her feces before. She does seem to be feeling better since she relieved herself, but of course I don't want her feeling sick everytime she has to go to the bathroom.
I've read that over-the-counter deworming medications aren't very effective and can also do more harm than good. So, I do plan on taking her to the vet today or tomorrow. I researched a bit, to get an average cost of deworming treatment and it was about $60 to $100. Only concern I have is, she is not up to date on her shots. She has been an indoor cat her entire life, along with my other cats. She is healthy, besides this recent problem. Is it really necessary for her to get a bunch of shots? Will the vet require it or can I choose to just follow through with the deworming treatment?
About 5 minutes later, she went to the litter box. While she was going to the bathroom, she was meowing like she was in pain. I looked at her feces when she was done. It was kind of slippery or mucousy. I then noticed a white thing crawling on the feces, which I assume is a worm. I've never heard or noticed her meowing in pain while relieving herself. I also never noticed worms on her feces before. She does seem to be feeling better since she relieved herself, but of course I don't want her feeling sick everytime she has to go to the bathroom.
I've read that over-the-counter deworming medications aren't very effective and can also do more harm than good. So, I do plan on taking her to the vet today or tomorrow. I researched a bit, to get an average cost of deworming treatment and it was about $60 to $100. Only concern I have is, she is not up to date on her shots. She has been an indoor cat her entire life, along with my other cats. She is healthy, besides this recent problem. Is it really necessary for her to get a bunch of shots? Will the vet require it or can I choose to just follow through with the deworming treatment?