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orphaned kitten with questionable worms

15:42:24

Question
I have jsut brought home an orphaned kitten who has worms. Typically I could deal with this, but there are some unusual circumstances. I also found this kitten's sibling, who was dying and had several open wounds. She was covered with worms, and her wounds were infested with worms (or were they maggots?) and minute flies. The surviving kitten had some bloody discharge from his anus when I found him, and now I am noting distention around the anus with multiple live worms. Has he become prey to an insect infestation like his sibling, or does he have typical kitten worms? I just don't know what to do at this point.

Answer
Hi Berneice, YUCK >
Well lets talk about the dying kitten first. These were NOT "typical" kitten worms. The worms we commonly refer to and commonly worm our kittens for are INTERNAL parasites (worms). The worms you found on the kitten that was dying were EXTERNAL parasites of some sort, (I imagine maggots), that would not have been killed with a 'kitten wormer' if you had had a chance to treat the kitten. Maggots are you know, are fly larvae and they feed on rotting meat. Sorry to be so blunt but that is what had been happening with that kitten. He had wounds for some reason that his little body was unable to heal and as the edges of the wound rotted the flies were attracted to it and laid their eggs in the flesh. So, it was only indirectly that the fly maggots led to his death. That poor kitten was most likely in rough shape and dying before the flies came along. What a sad story and what a horrible way to die. Poor little thing.
Regarding the surviving kitten. Thank heavens you have him and he can get some good care! without photos or being able to know more details I cannot tell you if your kitten has maggots around his anus?? or does he  have some tapeworm segments stuck there that have been eliminated? Not knowing where you live I would not be familiar with the possible parasites that could be in or on this kitten.
My first recommendation is to get veterinary care for  him. IF for some reason this is not possible, then I would recommend you just start treating this little tyke and getting some good care and good food into him asap.
If he is not too weak,I would give him a gentle bath and then dry him so he doesn't get a chill. Once again I don't know if you are in a warm or cold climate but take due care with him. I just want you to get off any external parasites and to clean out any small wounds that he may have.
Then I would love to see you take a stool sample to a vet, but if this is impossible then I would not recommend you give him any kitten wormer until he is in good shape and able to handle it. That will be a judgment call on your part as I cannot see  him.  Parasites are opportunists and move in when an animal is in a weakened state. If you are able to get him into better condition the internal parasites, if he has any, will be kept under control until you are able to worm him with the appropriate medication. I just don't want you putting anything that is upsetting to his gut into him right now when he is already having problems.  
He also needs to get some nourishment and liquids into him. NO MILK. If he is reluctant to eat you can try some boiled chicken or some chicken and broth baby food in a jar. Any change in diet from what he has been on is going to cause him some diarrhea so you will need to watch that he does not get dehydrated. If you think  his rectum is sticking out sometimes this is a sign of dehydration also. Perhaps this kitten has had diarrhea or just not been eating for a while... and this may all be corrected by itself once you can get some food into him. There is so much more I could tell you but it would be best for you to look online for some of the info as I have restrictions on how much I can get into with you at this time. Good luck, Teresa