A Guide To Common Cat Illnesses
Unfortunately, many pet owners are oblivious to the health issues that feline worms can create. There are several types of worms which affect cats and some produce very few obvious signs of infestation. This means that a cat can suffer from internal parasites long before its owner even begins to notice signs that the cat is unwell. In an attempt to educate cat owners about the dangers of feline worms, we are going to discuss the most common types of worms and the signs that may point to an infestation.
Types of Worms
There are three main types of feline worms: tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms. Each type of parasite is different and produces its own set of symptoms and dangers, although some symptoms do overlap which makes it difficult to determine which type of worms the cat is suffering from.
Tapeworms
Let’s take a look first at the tapeworm. Cats typically develop this worm by eating an animal which is infected with the worms or from eating a flea that is infected with the worm. An adult tapeworm will attach itself to the wall of the cat’s small intestine. Tapeworms are a little different from other worms because they don’t lay eggs. An adult tapeworm grows individual segments called proglottids. These segments link to the head, or scolex, of the adult worm to form a long chain. Each one of these proglottids are capable of producing 6 – 12 eggs, which often occurs after they break way from the adult tapeworm. These segments are usually found protruding from the cat’s anus, in its stool, or in places the cat frequents, such as its bed. They resemble the appearance of rice.
The most obvious symptom of tapeworms is the appearance of proglottids in the cat’s feces. In most cases, there are no other visible signs of a tapeworm infestation. In instances where several tapeworms are infecting a single cat, the cat may experience weight loss. A simple de-worming medication, such as Droncit, can easily be administered and will be high effective against getting rid of tapeworms.
Roundworms
This type of worm is the most common of feline worms. Roundworms can grow up to five inches long and are found within the intestines. The appearance of roundworms is often compared to cooked spaghetti. Most cats acquire this type of worm by swallowing roundworm eggs. Unlike the tapeworm, roundworms do not attach to the walls of the intestine but rather they move about freely among the insides of the cat’s intestines. Newly-hatched roundworms invade the cat’s muscles, stomach, and even the lungs for a few weeks. They then return to the intestines to complete their growth to maturity.
Roundworms are, in most cases, not seriously dangerous to adult cats, but they can be deadly to kittens. Diarrhea, vomiting, seemingly never ending hunger, and lethargy (lack of movement or energy) are common signs of roundworms. Roundworms can be treated using a cheap and easy-to-administer de-worming medication. This medication causes the roundworms to pass through the cat’s feces. A total of about three treatments, spaced about two weeks apart, will be necessary to completely treat the cat. It is important for cat owners to know that feline roundworms can infect humans.
Hookworms
And last, but not least, we have the hookworm. Like the tapeworm, the hookworm attaches itself to the cat’s intestines via a hook-like mouth. Because the hookworm only grows to be about an eighth of an inch long, they are very difficult for the average person to notice. Hookworm eggs hatch in the soil and can remain there for a long time. When a cat ingests them, an infestation is sure to occur.
Anemia is a key symptom for this type of worm. Blood in the stool, weight loss, loss of fur quality, and diarrhea are other common symptoms. The treatment of hookworms is very similar to that of roundworms in that two to three doses of de-worming medication will be required at two week intervals. Unlike roundworms, hookworms do not infect humans internally, however they can burrow into human skin.