3 Major Types of Intestinal Worms in Cats

Your cat may have worms, but there is no need to panic. Worms in cats are very common, especially in kittens. Typically, your vet will test your cat annually via a stool sample.

Worms are intestinal parasites and may or may not cause visible signs of illness. Worms use your cat as a host in order to get nourishment, reproduce, and complete their lifecycle. There are a number of cat parasites, including a few major classes of worms.

The main types of intestinal worms in cats are hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm. Fecal examinations are done as a diagnostic.

Cats in the same household are also nice enough to share worm infestations with each other. Normally, if a fecal sample from one of the cats tests positive, your vet will want to treat the whole crowd.

Below is a description on each of the major types of worms found in cats.

Roundworms - Roundworms (Toxocara Cati) look like spaghetti, and are usually only visible when vomited up. Kittens can become infected with roundworm via their mothers. This is the case even if the mother cat shows no signs of infection. The encysted form of the roundworm lies dormant in the mother cat, and is passed to the kitten. Usually, even if test results are negative, veterinarians will worm kittens 2-3 times to be sure.

In adult cats, infestations of this parasite severe enough to cause illness are unusual. This is because mature cats often develop a natural immunity against roundworm.

Hookworms - Hookworms literally "hook" themselves to the inside wall of your cat's intestines. Since hookworms are tissue feeders, they can cause blood loss, which results in anemia. Other symptoms may include intestinal illness, poor hair coat, and weight loss. The good news concerning hookworms is that most of the roundworm treatments will also kill hookworms. You should note that at least two treatments are needed to rid your cat of this worm.

Tapeworms - Tapeworms are made up of a series of segments containing eggs. When the segments drop off the worm, they are passed in the stool. When they dry out, they look like grains of rice, which you'll sometimes see in areas your cat frequents or around the your cat's anus. If your cat experiences anal irritation and/or exhibits excessive licking, this worm may be present.

Since these worms are transmitted by fleas, flea control is essential. Your cat eats the flea after the flea eats the tapeworm egg. The tapeworm then lives in the intestinal tract of your cat, and is able to start the process over.

Usually, there will be no visible signs of illness in your cat from tapeworms. Remember that as long as there are fleas, your cat is at risk. Until you completely get rid of the fleas, a potential tapeworm problem exists.

Intestinal worms in cats can be present without any sign of visible illness. Since cat parasites put undue stress on your kitty, you should do what you can to keep his/her immune system strong. That includes not only regular vet visits, but also high quality food, regular exercise, and the room to explore.

Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com

About the Author: Kurt Schmitt publishes the website for cat lovers keeping you informed about worms in cats and other feline health issues. 

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