Does Your Cat Have Worms?

If your cat never ventures outside, you may not have to worry about intestinal worms. However, if your cat is out and about frequently, keep an eye out for signs and symptoms.

Cats with intermittent diarrhea, not gaining weight, has dull fur or is not as playful as before, may have internal parasites. It is important for us to determine the cause of our cat's symptoms because humans can become infected with roundworms and hookworms. It is also important for us to keep the litter box clean and not allow outdoor cats to relieve themselves in gardens and children's play areas.

Worms that may invade your cat:

ROUNDWORMS (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina) are the most common type of worm infestation. These spaghetti looking creatures are 2 to 4 inches long, tan or white, with tapered ends. If your cat is heavily infested, your cat may have diarrhea or vomit and pass them in stool. The overall health and appearance of your cat is affected, also. The stomach will be potbellied and bloated. Your cat may be constantly hungry. Roundworms can become so bad that they create an intestinal blockage so that stool cannot pass. Roundworms can be transferred to humans that can cause an infection known as "Visceral Larva Migrans." This infection may result in inflammation of muscle tissue and blindness.

De-wormers that are frequently used to treat roundworms are pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole and piperazine.

HOOKWORMS (Ancylostoma braziliense) are blood-sucking intestinal parasites that cannot be seen by the naked eye. These can cause anemia and sometimes death in cats. The overall health of the cat and the amount of worms in the intestines determines the severity of adverse effects. Fortunately, cats become more resistant to hookworms as they age. Hookworms in humans can cause "Cutaneous Larva Migrans." In this infection, hookworm larvae will burrow into the skin of a human's foot or leg causing a linear, red lesion, which itches. This can cause intestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and diarrhea in small children and cats.

De-wormers that are frequently used to treat hookworms are pyrantel pamoate and fenbendazole.

TAPEWORMS (Dipylidium caninum, T. taeniaeformis) are visible to the naked eye and vary in length. They are usually white and seen contracting and expanding around the cat's rectum. Infection commonly occurs when the cat swallows a flea that is carrying the parasite's eggs. Tapeworms cannot be directly transmitted from cats to humans because the flea needs to be involved in the lifecycle process.

De-wormers that are frequently used to treat tapeworms are praziquantel followed up by epsiprantel (Cestex).

In conclusion, most cats do not show signs of intestinal parasitism at first. If you believe your cat is infected, have a stool sample tested by your veterinarian. Medication administered properly will treat any worm infestation effectively.

Resources:

http://www.hartz.com/Cats/ArticlePreview.asp?Animal=2&Article=139&Topic=8