Mary Allen
Worms are not only a danger to your cat but can also be transmitted to humans. Whether tapeworm, roundworm, or hookworm, which types of worms there are, how to recognize them and what differentiates them from each other, you can find out here.
Worms are so-called endoparasites. This means that, unlike ticks or fleas, they infest a cat’s body from the inside. Most worm species focus on the gastrointestinal tract. But there are also parasites that attack other organs.
Tapeworms Cause Gastrointestinal Problems
The best known to many animal lovers is the tapeworm, which causes shivers of disgust simply because of its length. It can grow up to several meters long. Tapeworms usually enter a cat’s body as eggs or larvae via an intermediate host. This happens when the velvet paw sniffs or licks plants, other conspecifics, or objects that are infected with worm eggs or larvae.
When infested, tapeworms are excreted in the feces and often get caught in the cat’s anus, where pet owners will discover them. The worms can also be found in the vomit of an infected cat. The parasite lodges in the cat’s intestinal wall. It can cause digestive problems ranging from constipation to intestinal obstruction or lead to malnutrition. The cat then often looks listless, its fur is shaggy and lackluster.
Roundworms are a Danger to Young Cats
Roundworms are threadworms. They are 15 to 35 centimeters long, also get into the cat’s body via an intermediate host and settle there in the small intestine. They cause almost the same symptoms as tapeworms.
However, roundworms can also travel through the cat’s body and subsequently damage other organs such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs, or lodge in the eye, where they cause vision problems.
Small kittens in particular are susceptible to this type of worm. A typical sign is a hard, bloated abdomen and delayed growth. If the roundworms migrate into the lungs, life-threatening pneumonia can occur.
Heartworms Affect Important Organs
Heartworms live up to their name and lodge in the blood vessels of cats’ lungs and hearts. When fully grown, the heartworms, which are 20 to 30 centimeters long, can lead to blocked vessels, blood congestion, and pulmonary embolism. It is therefore important to recognize them at an early stage.
Symptoms of heartworm infestation include listlessness, weight loss, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. They are mainly found in Southern and Eastern Europe.
Hookworms Come Through the Skin
Hookworms are similarly rare in cats. But since they can also be transmitted to humans, caution is advised with these contemporaries! The parasites usually enter a cat’s body through the skin. They migrate into the intestinal mucosa, bite firmly there, and feed on the blood of the house tiger. An adult worm can suck up to half a milliliter of blood per day.
The result of a severe infestation is massive blood loss, which can lead to death. Signs are bloody or very dark stools. Inflammation and tissue damage can also occur in the places where the larvae have penetrated the skin.
Fight the Uninvited Guests Effectively
What to do if the cat has been infected with a type of worm? Tapeworms, roundworms, heartworms, and hookworms can be treated by the vet with wormers. Regular deworming every three months can prevent new larvae from growing. In this way, you can quickly get the uninvited guests in your cat’s body under control and at the same time prevent new infections.
Note: Be sure to discuss worm treatment with your veterinarian beforehand. Also, don’t take your cat’s worm infestation lightly. This is especially true because the worms can also be transmitted to humans and can make them sick.