Armour up against parasitic worms in cats

Is it fair to say that your cat is a bit of a mystery?  Cats can be curious, cuddly, wise, and aloof all within one moment. Their very nature is fiercely independent and wild at heart. But as independent and wild as your cat may be, he or she does need your care and protection, not only for food and shelter but also for ongoing protection against common internal parasites that would do anything to get under your cat’s skin. We’re talking about roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm. It might be hard to imagine that a tiny little worm can harm your cat, but it’s true: any one of these parasitic worms can threaten the wellbeing, and sometimes the very life, of your cat.

Parasites are organisms that live on or inside an organism of another species. Prevention of intestinal worm infection is essential to keeping your cat healthy. Deworming is a key part of responsible pet ownership and keeping both your cat and your family healthy. Kittens become infected with roundworms through the ingestion of larvae in their mother’s milk and from infective eggs in the environment and in prey, such as hookworm larvae from the environment, and tapeworms from fleas. The first step in learning how to prevent parasitic cat worms from preying on your pet is to understand the nature of these harmful creatures.

ROUNDWORMS IN CATS

Roundworms can cause severe disease in cats. The roundworm Toxocara is one of the more significant worms in cats to consider because it can also pose a zoonotic risk, which means that larvae of this worm can cause disease in you and your family if infective eggs are swallowed.

Cats become infected with roundworm by ingesting larvae in their mother’s milk, in infected rodents or in raw or undercooked meat, or through the ingestion of infective eggs from the environment.  Once ingested, the larvae hatch out in the intestines and then move to the liver, and lungs, where they proceed to feed and develop until they return to the intestines to mature into adult worms. Adult roundworms lay eggs that pass in the cat’s stool, and the entire life cycle begins again.

Common signs of roundworm in kittens include a pot-bellied appearance, abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, and poor growth. Adult cats usually show no signs at all. If you suspect your cat is infected, visit your vet immediately because the prognosis is good when treated quickly.

TAPEWORMS IN CATS

Fleas are common parasites that live on the skin of cats. Fleas can also act as vectors for other causes of disease and one example is the common flea tapeworm. If your cat has fleas and happens to swallow a tapeworm-infected flea while grooming, your cat will also become infected with the tapeworm. Other types of tapeworms can also be transmitted by other rodents and reptiles, like mice or lizards, so if your cat is a keen hunter that eats its prey then he or she may become infected this way too. Often the only sign of tapeworm is when the tapeworm segments or tapeworm eggs are found in your cat’s faeces. Treatment for tapeworms include a dewormer that covers for tapeworms to treat existing infections and effective flea control to reduce the risk of infection, even for indoor cats.

Thinking about all of these different types of worms in cats may begin to make your skin crawl, but luckily there are ways to make sure that your little feline friend is protected. First, be sure to keep your home environment clean—remove stool from your cat’s litterbox every day and properly dispose of any cat or dog faeces in your yard. Second, follow your vet’s recommended protocol for deworming your cat. Kittens should be dewormed regularly from two to three weeks of age until 6 months old; adult cats should be dewormed at least four times per year based on their risk for worms. Third, employ preventative care methods to keep your cat, and your family, safe.