Our guide contains expert advice from qualified and registered veterinary nurses to help you choose the best course of action for your pet and help answer your question — does my cat have worms and how do I prevent and treat them? Worms are very common in cats, with the most frequently seen intestinal types being roundworms and tapeworms.
Worms can be picked up in a variety of ways. Tapeworms are transmitted to cats by fleas. Immature fleas larvae ingest the worm eggs and infection is passed on to a dog when it swallows an infected flea.
Adult dogs can get worms from other infected animals, or from eating prey such as birds or mice which might carry worms, or infected parasites such as fleas, or from eating the larvae or eggs of worms outside, for instance by eating grass. If the situation does not merit a trip to the vet, we will give advice for managing the situation at home. If the situation is more serious we will advise that you contact your vet. Diagnosis of worms by your vet Your vet will give your cat a thorough examination and take a full history from you.
Most healthy animals will not show any symptoms of worm infection. Kittens with a heavy worm burden may be sick and this may contain roundworms. In severe cases they may have a pot belly due to the sheer number of worms. Roundworms are long, white and spaghetti-like in appearance and they absorb nutrients from the infected cat.
More serious cases in felines can produce signs of worms such as weight loss, poor coat, weakness, excessive hunger, loss of energy and diarrhoea and sickness. If a cat has a bad reaction to the worms and there is diarrhoea or sickness, simple foods such as rice with chicken or white fish can help to settle the stomach, and fresh water should always be provided, but the most important thing is to use a worming treatment to get rid of the infestation.
Lungworm is another type of worm that is being seen more frequently in the UK in recent years, although it is relatively uncommon in cats. It is found more often in dogs who pick up and eat slugs and snails.
The specific symptoms of lungworm include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, open-mouthed breathing, lethargy and exercise intolerance, reduction in appetite and fever. Lungworm can be extremely serious — It can cause haemorrhages in the lungs, liver, intestine, eyes and spinal cord but also just about anywhere in the body. If left untreated, it can be fatal in severe cases. Can my indoor cat get worms? Worms that can infect an indoor cat Tapeworms Tapeworms are long, flat, segmented worms that live inside the small intestine of infected animals.
Roundworms Roundworms are also hard-to-avoid parasites that can afflict indoor cats. Hookworms Hookworms are small, blood-sucking worms that live in your cat's intestines and in large numbers can make your cat very sick. Lungworm Small animals such as lizards and rodents, as well as snails or slugs that might find their way indoors on plants, can also be a source of lungworms, small worms that live within, and damage your cat's lungs.
Heartworm Heartworms are large worms that live within your cat's heart and major vessels. How to treat worms in your cat If your cat gets worms, there are several simple and effective solutions to choose from. More of the good stuff. Flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats: Symptoms, treatment and prevention. Worms in dogs and cats: Myths vs.
How to treat and prevent fleas in puppies. What can you expect after deworming your dog? Cats develop these parasites after they eat an egg or cyst. Luckily most of these parasites are easy to diagnose from a stool sample, and we have safe medications to easily treat these parasites. One last important note is that many gastrointestinal parasites of cats can be transmitted to humans.
This is just one more reason to be proactive with parasite control and vigilant with yearly fecal screening. If you do not live in central Maryland and even if you do , you can check out the CDC website for information about other parasites that might be in your area.
If you live in Germantown, Boyds, Clarksburg Gaithersburg, Rockville or surrounding communities in Montgomery County, Maryland, and would like to discuss parasite prevention with one of our doctors, contact us to schedule an appointment today. Let us help make sure your cat is free of those nasty worms! Phone: Fax: Request An Appointment.
Please note that you do not have an appointment until you receive confirmation from us. Thank you! Monday: am - pm Tuesday: am - pm Wednesday: am - pm Thursday: am - pm Friday: am - pm Saturday: am - pm Sunday: Closed. Posted May 24, by Dr. Melissa Mustillo. But how can my indoor cat develop parasites in the first place?
Our doctors have seen positive cases of roundworms, and a couple of cats contracting giardia from potting soil. Cats can develop tapeworms from ingesting fleas. It only takes 1 flea! So whether your cat had a flea infestation or just picked one up outside, they are at risk for tapeworms. So if you see something like that, be sure to mention it to your veterinarian.
Tapeworms can also be carried by small rodents.
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