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My 5-week-old kitten has a long worm. Is it too young for meds?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 15 days old | 1lb

One of my foster kittens only 5 weeks old 1 lb has a menangeal worm as about 12 inches came out his anus. I took him and the work to the Humane society who I foster for and they said said he is too young for the meds, what can I do to help this baby live? I freaked out when I saw it. Can I save this baby?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 27th, 2019

I'm sorry but without seeing the worm i am not 100% sure what you are talking about. The most common worm, and the one you probably saw, is roundworms. A meningeal worm is highly uncommon and it would not come out the anus. Meningeal worms live in the brain. The kitten is not too young for dewormer; they can start being dewormed as early as two weeks of age with a drug called Strongid (pyrantel pamoate). I suggest you call another vet clinic or go to your local VETCO clinic to have the kitten dewormed. Deworming should be done every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 4 months old. ( vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/?zip=34243 )

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I am so sorry that you are unhappy with our answers but I really think the shelter is incorrect. Can you please tell us how they came up with the diagnosis of meningeal worm? Not only is this extremely rare in cats but there is no test to definitively diagnose meningeal worm infection in a living animal. Also, the worm would not exit the anus, it lives in the brain (meninges). The microscopic eggs/larvae are what pass through the feces - you would not see them. I honestly do not understand how they diagnosed this worm. Was it a licensed veterinarian that told you this or just a worker at the shelter? You should use the pyrantel pamoate to deworm the kitten and continue to deworm it every 3-4 weeks until it is 4 months of age. If you would like to post again and tell us how they came upon the diagnosis we can maybe help you better. I strongly recommend you get a second opinion at a different vet clinic. This link will show you that it is mostly ruminants and wildlife that get infected by this worm. ( https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/aobrien/2013/aug/a-passion-for-parasites-meingeal-worm-30746 )

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