Cats may be affected by intestinal worms which can cause a lot of discomfort. Knowing how to detect cats symptoms that are specific for feline intestinal worms is essential, so that a suitable treatment can be administered.
Intestinal Worms in Cats
Cats may get intestinal worms and kittens are more susceptible to contracting worms. The most common worms in cats are roundworms and tapeworms. These are parasitic organisms that lodge in the cat’s intestines and will feed on the cat’s food. There are also other worms that may be present in cats including the hookworms, the stomach worms and the microscopic worms (Giardia or Coccidia).
Intestinal Worms in Cats Symptoms
The symptoms of cats infected with intestinal worms will include the followings:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- The vomit or the feces may contain worms or segments of tapeworms; the roundworms are 2 to 4 inches long and have tapered endings
- Poor appetite in cats affected by hookworms, roundworms or stomach worms
- Increased appetite in cats with tapeworms
- Anemia, as the parasites may deprive the cat from the nutrients
- Dehydration, caused by the vomiting and diarrhea
If your pet has tapeworms, you may see the worm segments moving in the rectal area. These segments are alive and have been detached from the parasite. If the segments are no longer alive, they will look like rice grains and may be found in the cat’s feces.
Treatment for Intestinal Worms
The detection of intestinal worms can be done through an examination of the feces; typically all worms will be eliminated through feces, so the vet will be able to establish if the cat is infected with worms and the type of worms he is infected with.
The treatment for intestinal worms is typically administered through
oral medications or injections. The cat should get a cure of dewormers.
Depending on the type of worms that affect the cat, he will require 1
pill or an injection or several pills to eliminate the eggs and the
larvae as well.
Prevention of Feline Intestinal Worms
The worms can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected feline or through the ingestion of feces that contain eggs or larvae from the parasites.
In rare cases, the worms may be transmitted through the ingestion of fleas or mice that carry tapeworm eggs.
Consequently, you may prevent the infection of your pet with intestinal worms by restricting his access outdoors and by avoiding contact with cats that are infected with intestinal worms. However, this may be difficult to do, so the best way to avoid intestinal worms is to get preventive dewormers. These should be administered on a regular basis.
You may also prevent the occurrence of fleas and keep your cat away from mice that may possibly infect the pet with tapeworms.
Eliminating the intestinal worms in your pet is essential for your pet’s health but is also important for you and your family. Feline intestinal worms such as hookworms and roundworms can be passed to humans and children are more exposed to contracting these parasites.