Intestinal Worms in Cats at a Glance
July 2, 2008 – 3:33 amWorms in cats are a common occurrence, especially in kittens, and your vet will test for them once per year. Testing is done by way of a stool sample.
Worms are intestinal parasites either directly or indirectly feeding off of your cat. Worms use cats in order to reproduce and complete their lifecycle. There are a number of cat parasites out there, with a few major classes of worms.
Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, are the main types of worms found in cats. During annual check ups, your vet should do a fecal exam for diagnosis.
Typically, cats that share litter boxes will all be afflicted. A fecal sample from one cat, therefore, is usually sufficient to determine if an infestation exists in the home. By the same token, it is recommended that treatment be given to all cats sharing litter boxes if one of them is infected.
Below is a description on each of the major types of worms found in cats.
Roundworms - Roundworms (Toxocara Cati) look kind of like spaghetti, and you usually won’t see them unless your cat vomits them up. Mother cats may show no symptoms, but can still pass roundworm on to their kittens. which lies dormant. Kittens will normally be wormed 2 - 3 times, whether they test positive or not.
In adult cats, infestations of this parasite severe enough to cause illness are unusual. This is because mature cats often develop a natural immunity against roundworm.
Hookworms - Hookworms hook themselves to the inside wall of your cat’s intestines and hang on. Since they’re tissue feeders, hookworms can cause blood loss, resulting in anemia. In addition, you may observe weight loss, intestinal illness, and poor hair coat. Most of the roundworm treatments used today will kill hookworms as well. Two or more treatments are required to eradicate this worm.
Tapeworms - Tapeworms consist of segments containing eggs. The segments drop off the worm, and along with the eggs are passed in the stool. They then dry out and begin to look like grains of rice and are fairly easy to spot. You’ll sometimes see them in heavily traveled areas or around the cat’s anus. Cats with these worms have been known to experience anal irritation and exhibit excessive licking.
Since these worms are transmitted by fleas, flea control is essential. Your cat eats the flea after the flea eats the tapeworm egg. The tapeworm then lives in the intestinal tract of your cat, and is able to start the process over.
Usually these worms do not cause any visible symptoms of illness in your cat. You cannot properly address the tapeworm issue without also addressing the flea problem, or you risk the possibility that your cat will get them again.
Intestinal worms in cats can be present without any sign of visible illness. Since cat parasites put undue stress on your kitty, you should do what you can to keep his/her immune system strong. That includes not only regular vet visits, but also high quality food, regular exercise, and the room to explore.
Tags: Cat
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