Worm Infestations in Cats
Worm Infestations in Cats
Cats are prone to a wide variety of internal parasites, of which the major ones are roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, coccidia, and heartworm.
Roundworm: Common among kittens, they inherit it from their mothers even if she has no obvious infection. The worm lies dormant in a cat and comes out only during pregnancy to strike at kittens. They are spotted when kittens vomit roundworms and are spaghetti- shaped.
Hookworm: This worm sometimes causes diarrhea, weakness and anemia and intestinal illness among cats.
Coccidia: This protozoan parasite causes diarrhea among young cats. Though it does not cause any illness, it should be treated when there are problems with bowels.
Tapeworm: This worm has many segments to its body which can drop off the worm. It is also visible in the cat's stool or around anal hair. When dry, it resembles a grain of rice. It is contracted through fleas and can affect your indoor cat if he is exposed to fleas. It can be treated by doing a fecal examination routinely whether your cat is outdoorsy or not, particularly if he shares his litter box with outdoor cats.
Heartworm: This worm does not thrive in cats, unlike in dogs, but it manages to live for a year or two and die soon after, without harming the cat. But occasionally, a dead or dying worm can be the cause of a cat's quick death.
Hairballs: When a cat grooms itself, it ingests the loose hair of its coat. Since hair is difficult to digest, it combines with undigested food in the cat's intestines and irritates the intestines if it is not immediately eliminated from the body or coughed up. As a result, fur-like and cigar-shaped hair bits can be seen on your furniture which is usually removed surgically.
Symptoms: Your cat has a dry cough and vomits after meals, eats plants or grass, his hair is usually entwined with feces, he has a dry and dull coat, poor appetite and diarrhea.
Preventing worms in your cat: Not only is it unhealthy for your cat but also a health risk for you and your family if your cat has worms. Here's how to prevent this problem from growing:
- Have your cat undergo a complete physical exam by the veterinarian, including a fecal test for intestinal parasites.
- Don't let your cat get dirty in the mud and dirt which can encourage him picking up worms in the larval and egg stages.
- Don't let your cat eat rodents and birds which can harbor intestinal parasites and go near stray cats, dogs and kittens until they are tested for worms and treated. Have his stool examined twice a year.
- Get rid of fleas in your pet and your home.
- Groom your cat and check for fleas so that he never develops any flea infestation.
- Keep him indoors for most of the time.
- Don't treat him with over-the-counter products which could be toxic. Give him veterinarian-approved cat worm medication. Some general tips to prevent infestation include
- Give your cat a regular nutritious diet, keep him and his bedding clean and free of fleas and worms.
Should your cat show any signs of illness, take him to your veterinarian immediately.