Is this worms??

[Deleted User]

I ask out of seriousness please don't mock me.

These last few weeks I have noticed my cat wanting to eat more than usual. My son is complaining of an itchy bottom at bedtime. Generally i give him some Eurax cream and a baby wipe and minimal attention but i am now starting to wonder if both have worms.

But how do I tell? Cat goes out for the loo, son is nearly 6 and I don't get involved with his toileting. I have mentioned it might be an idea for me to check his poo before he flushes in case "I can see what is causing the itchiness", but generally he says he poos at school.

Don't want to make a fuss, but can I worm both cat and boy without evidence...........;) please don't laugh, i'm serious. Not had this issue before.

Wilma33

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/threadworms.aspx#close

Fire_Fox

We are not permitted to give any medical advice according to MSE rules, please take your child to the doctor.

mountainofdebt

Ok whilst I totally agree with what fire fox is saying why not treat your cat and son as if they both have worms .....can't do any harm can it?

and for the record, ime, the one isn't necessarily connected with the other.

zaksmum

You can get tablets from the chemist which will treat the child

Auntie-Dolly

Google 'pinworm' or 'threadworm' - they come out at night.

JC9297

You should treat the whole family, not just your son.

tyllwyd

http://bootslearningstore.com/parent/topics/threadworm.php

You can get threadworm tablets from the pharmacist without prescription, so unless your son has other medical issues, they might be the people to talk to.

It's gross, but when my dd had threadworms, I did see them in her poo but only before it hit the water (don't ask!!) so that might not help. And you can go looking for them at night with a torch - again, not for the faint hearted! But the good news is that when we took the treatment, we didn't notice any bad side affects - no upset tummies or anything, so it wasn't too big a deal.

FatVonD

Your cat should be wormed every three months as a matter of course.

heretolearn_2

you can get over the counter worm treatments so if in doubt, why not? But you all need to do it, not just your son.

My son got worms once and I just bought a powder you mix with milk, and gave him his 'milkshake', which he enjoyed drinking. Treated all of us too. Didn't even tell him what it was as I didn't want to gross the poor kid out.

Sorted.

Yorkie1

I remember those milkshakes. They must have improved the taste in the last few decades as I can still recall the taste now. Urgh!! (Pripsen strawberry flavour if I remember rightly ... ingrained on the memory).