Mary Allen
Worms in cats are common and not just a problem for outdoor cats. Even indoor cats are not always spared from the common parasites. This is precisely why cat owners should be sensitive to the causes and symptoms of a worm infestation and seek treatment from a veterinarian.
Most dangers lurk outside, where the cat is in contact with other potentially infected animals. But even indoor cats can be plagued by parasites. The causes of worm infestation in cats are varied and lurk everywhere.
What Are Causes of Worms in Cats?
Both outdoor and indoor cats can become infected with dangerous parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, or hookworms in three different ways: the cat can ingest the worms through food, the parasites can penetrate through the skin, or they are inherited from the mother transmitted – but the type of worm is also decisive for the route of infection.
Worms by Oral Infection
Most cats first ingest the parasite eggs, which then develop into worms in their bodies. Dietary infection is particularly common with tapeworms when the cat eats infected or flexed intermediate hosts, such as mice or birds. Contact with the feces of infected animals is also one of the causes of worm infestation in cats.
In indoor cats, the worm eggs that you, as a human, carry into the apartment with your shoes are often the cause of worm infestation. Or the worms can get to the indoor cat via intermediate hosts, such as fleas.
Infection Via the Skin or the Dam
Certain worms, such as hookworm, can not only infect the animal through food but can also pierce its skin.
A worm infection of young cats by the mother can even occur before birth. As a rule, in this case, the mother is infected with so-called dormant larvae, which are located in the tissues of the body. These develop again during pregnancy and infect the unborn kitten. Kittens also ingest worm larvae through their milk after birth.
How Does a Worm Infestation in Cats Become Noticeable?
Worms in cats are not always easy to spot. Especially in the early stages you hardly notice the worm infestation. It can also express itself in very different ways, depending on what type of worm it is: tapeworm, roundworm, or hookworm.
Worms in Cats: General Symptoms
Cats that have worms often appear weak and tired. Their willingness to perform decreases, the coat looks dull and shaggy. Hair loss can occur on the back. In kittens, worm infestation sometimes leads to a bloated stomach, while adult cats can lose weight and appear emaciated. Poor wound healing and susceptibility to disease are also indicators of worm infestation.
You should also see a vet if your cat has frequent diarrhea, worm parts, or blood in its stool. Vomiting can also be a symptom of worm infestation. Conversely, constipation and bloating that have not resolved by themselves within 24 hours are also grounds for a vet visit.
Have the Symptoms of a Worm Infestation Clarified by the Veterinarian
An advanced worm infestation can lead to anemia and various other diseases in the affected animal. Young and weak cats can be particularly hard hit. Therefore, the exact diagnosis should be made by a veterinarian. He also clarifies which worms are involved and which treatment steps make sense.
To be on the safe side, protect your pet from the annoying infection with a dewormer right from the start. Your veterinarian will be happy to advise you on which products are suitable and how to use them correctly.
Cat With Worms: This is What the Treatment Looks Like
If your pet suffers from an infestation with worms, special treatment is always necessary. If the cat has worm infections, the vet will prescribe special preparations that kill the worms. These agents can be administered in tablet form as well as by injection or as a paste.
There are also so-called spot-on agents, which are applied in liquid form to the skin of the animal’s neck. If the type of worm is unknown, treatment with a combination preparation that is effective against different worms makes sense.
A worm infection in cats should definitely be treated – otherwise, the pests will keep multiplying. The consequences: There is a risk that the animal will suffer severe organ damage or even die as a result of the disease. In addition, some types of worms, such as the fox tapeworm, are contagious and can also be transmitted from cats to humans.
Prevent Parasite Infestation: Deworm Cats Regularly
A worm infestation in cats manifests itself with non-specific symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, especially at the beginning of the disease. However, examining the stool is difficult in the case of outdoor cats who do their business outside. That’s why you should deworm your little darling every three to four months as a precaution, even if he’s rummaging around in the great outdoors.
Indoor cats should also be dewormed regularly. Because you can also bring the worm eggs into the apartment from outside on your shoes without being noticed. For domestic cats, however, it is sufficient to administer the wormer once a year.