Worms in Cats

Although some worms may appear without a microscope, others require faecal testing. Your vet can ask you to take a sample that is put in an air-tight container with a special liquid that separates parasitic eggs from the faeces and floats to the top.

Afterwards, the sample taken will be analysed through a microscope to determine which worms have infested the cat. In addition, an ultrasound and a blood test can sometimes but not always be required to determine your cat’s health.

The lives of each parasite are unique, so you must know exactly what kind of parasite infests your pet. This will define medications, therapies, and subsequent care.

It pains us to say that most cats are affected by these intestinal worms during their lifetime. When Cats catch worms, it’s probably one of the creepiest and most disgusting things to see, but treatments are generally quick and effective.

Indoor cats, as well as the outdoors, can be exposed to the virus. The faeces of adult rats can spread the parasite, and adult kittens can be fed on the worm by consuming it. If your cat is infested, these signs can occur. You can see whole worms in pet poop, coming out of the anus, or even visible in vomit.

Worm eggs ingested in cat faeces can cause infection. Sometimes cats are infected with a worm after they have been exposed to contaminated grass, food and drinking water. They can be a result of fleas, so flea treatments should be necessary for everyone.

Because the worm eggs may survive in soil and are put in shoes or clothes, indoor cats can get them faster than those who love to roam outdoors. Indoor cats usually require veterinary preventative treatment every three months, while cats prone to hunting or looking for food may require treatment once per week.

Some species of worms love to live in cats, and the main ones include Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworm. Less common worms are liver fluke and heartworm worms. Vets do not see these kinds of worms nearly as frequently as the top 4, but they can cause significant health problems and sometimes death.

Roundworm is a very common intestinal parasite that can affect cats. These worms can be found in your cat’s faeces and can infect other animals as well.

There are two main types of roundworms: Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. Roundworms are anywhere between 3 and 5 inches long and look like pasta noodles, and can infect cats very easily.

Tapeworms are multi-segmented flatworms that are ribbon-shaped. They produce several sexual units, each with male and female reproductive organs. Tapeworm Eggs are produced in the female reproductive organs of each segment.

This process produces a chain of adult tapeworm segments. Each segment carries a few worm larvae. Tapeworms are a type of worm that can also be found in the cat’s faeces. Each segment is like a grain of rice.

Female hookworms produce parasite eggs which take 24 to 48 hours to develop. They are then passed into faeces. The eggs are thin-shelled and range in size from 40 to 60 um. Female adult worms measure 10-13 mm in length and even have teeth.

After a period of moulting, adult hookworms live in the lumen of the small intestine. When they invade the gastrointestinal tract, they attach to the intestinal walls, causing blood loss. Depending on the seriousness of the infection, some infected animals may develop diarrhoea.

Again these worm infestations can be found in the cat’s faeces. They are very thin and can even penetrate the skin. These intestinal worms can run havoc inside the animal and eventually damage a cat’s intestines if left untreated.

Another intestinal worm called the heartworm is a more serious threat to pets. It can cause severe issues to the heart and lungs. Symptoms can include rapid breathing, coughing, vomiting, and weight loss. This is far less common to see, thankfully.

Getting worms from infected cats is possible, there are several types which are transmissible to humans. Symptoms of these worms can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of worm.

It can easily happen when someone is gardening without gloves, parasite eggs maybe be lurking in the undergrowth, walking barefoot through infected soil, or kids are playing in the sandbox with infected cat faeces inside it.

These are all viable possibilities. Common sense prevails, and hygiene is key to preventing humans from getting bacterial worms.

Yes, you should always worm your cat; prevention is better than cure. There are plenty of over-the-counter medicines available in the UK. Pana-cur is a syrup which is very good and can be used on all ages, including very young kittens.

Pana-cure is a Broad-spectrum medication, along with another type called Drontal Plus. Your cat may require multiple doses to remove any larvae that might develop after the first dose is given.

Start your cat’s treatment by giving a daily oral or topical preventative since tapeworm infections can happen again if there’s an infestation of fleas within the home. This is because fleas carry worms.

Frontline is more convenient for older cats and is easier to administer, and this is a dual effective treatment for fleas and worms in cats. Frontline is just a drop of liquid that you place at the back of the neck on the fur. Remember that this type is only a preventative medication, and should be used regularly to avoid getting worms and fleas in the first place.

Kittens are susceptible to catching worms, particularly if their mother has them. Roundworm can be transmitted through the mother’s milk and her kittens. This is why it is important to check your cat regularly for worms, particularly when she’s pregnant.
Consult your veterinarian before treating a pregnant cat to ensure you’re providing her with a product that has been tested and is suitable for use.

Intestinal worms are often more severe for kittens since they’re still growing and require food sources that the worms eat. Kittens are treated for worms as early as the age of three weeks.

Six weeks old healthy kittens usually get a monthly treatment to combat roundworms. At six months, they may receive tapeworm and roundworm treatments at least every three months.

Make sure you weigh your kitten before any treatment for worms is administered to ensure they get the right amount/dosage. In addition to all the above a good varied high protien cat diet along with regular grooming schedules will help maintain the health of your pet and keep them on top form.