Peeving Parasites- Roundworm
The roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm are the three most common internal parasites that afflict cats.
Cats may ingest the roundworm, hookworm, or tapeworm by walking through an area where there are worm eggs and then swallowing them when grooming or by eating an animal that was infected. It can also come about by a kitten drinking milk from its mother if the mother is infected. When the eggs hatch in the intestine as larvae, the worm will them be carried to the lungs by the bloodstream. Then they will climb up the cat's trachea which will cause spells of coughing in the cat. The worms will then return to the intestine and grow into adults. Some types of roundworms skip this "migration" stage of development and remain in the intestine. In adult cats, the adult worms will lay eggs which will get passed in the stool to infect others. Larvae may become dormant in the cat's liver. If this cat becomes pregnant, the larvae become active again and can be secreted in the cat's milk, infecting her kittens. This is why worms are common in kittens. Internal parasites in cats can be given to other mammals and humans if someone or something ingests the worm.
The roundworm is the most common worm parasite in cats with several kinds that attack cats such as intestinal roundworm and heartworm. Symptoms of roundworms include losing weight, dull coat hair, pot-belly, vomiting up roundworms or passing them in the stool, diarrhea, and coughing. Treatments for roundworms is the same regardless of the kind. There are several good roundworm medication that can be taken orally and your vet will help you choose the right one. However, these medications only affect adult roundworms until all of the eggs and larvae have grown and are killed. The way to protect your cat from roundworms is to clean up all pet waste as soon as possible and don't let your cat eat wild animals. Also, if you have a pregnant cat, deworm both the mom and the kittens after they are born.
Cats may ingest the roundworm, hookworm, or tapeworm by walking through an area where there are worm eggs and then swallowing them when grooming or by eating an animal that was infected. It can also come about by a kitten drinking milk from its mother if the mother is infected. When the eggs hatch in the intestine as larvae, the worm will them be carried to the lungs by the bloodstream. Then they will climb up the cat's trachea which will cause spells of coughing in the cat. The worms will then return to the intestine and grow into adults. Some types of roundworms skip this "migration" stage of development and remain in the intestine. In adult cats, the adult worms will lay eggs which will get passed in the stool to infect others. Larvae may become dormant in the cat's liver. If this cat becomes pregnant, the larvae become active again and can be secreted in the cat's milk, infecting her kittens. This is why worms are common in kittens. Internal parasites in cats can be given to other mammals and humans if someone or something ingests the worm.
The roundworm is the most common worm parasite in cats with several kinds that attack cats such as intestinal roundworm and heartworm. Symptoms of roundworms include losing weight, dull coat hair, pot-belly, vomiting up roundworms or passing them in the stool, diarrhea, and coughing. Treatments for roundworms is the same regardless of the kind. There are several good roundworm medication that can be taken orally and your vet will help you choose the right one. However, these medications only affect adult roundworms until all of the eggs and larvae have grown and are killed. The way to protect your cat from roundworms is to clean up all pet waste as soon as possible and don't let your cat eat wild animals. Also, if you have a pregnant cat, deworm both the mom and the kittens after they are born.
Hookworm
Another common internal parasite is the hookworm. The most common method of ingestion of the hookworm is by penetrating the cat's skin. Unlike roundworms that just float around in the intestine, however, hookworms can attach themselves to the wall of the intestine. It can cause severe anemia in some cases, and symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, pale gums and weakness, coughing, and skin irritation. You can treat this by using some of the many oral medications available. Consult your veterinarian to choose one. This medicine will also need to be repeated as it destroys hookworms as they mature. You can prevent an infestation of hookworms by cleaning up all pet waste as soon as possible and prevent your cat from eating wild animals. Also take care to deworm a pregnant cat and the kittens she bears.
Tapeworm
Tapeworm is also a common internal parasite seen in cats. The common method of ingestion differs from other worms as it is most commonly ingested through a flea. As the tapeworm lays its eggs, a flea larvea may happen upon an egg and ingest it itself. Then, as it annoys a cat, the cat grooms and then ingesting the flea with the tapeworm egg in it. As the flea is digested, the egg is released, and takes up residence in the cats intestine. Although the tapeworm rarely causes problems, annoying symptoms may include segments of the tapeworm being found in the cat's stool or fur, and licking or itching around the anus. There are many great oral treatments out there as well as shots so talk with your vet. To prevent this, keep your cat free of fleas, as well as dead animals and garbage.
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