Roundworms, Tapeworms, Hookworms

When cat owners get together, they exchange stories about how quirky or cute their pets are, laugh over the “biggest hairball I ever saw” joke but they almost never discuss deworming their pets! Yet, worms are a very common ailment, even in well cared for animals.

ROUNDWORMS (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina)

These are the most common form of parasite in today’s cat. Roundworms can grow from 2-4 inches long and can overwhelm a cat’s stomach giving it a potbelly appearance.

Cats can easily pass a whole live, roundworm (thin, spaghetti-like critters) which results in a freaked out call to the vet from horrified owners! Roundworms can cause weight loss and diarrhea or vomiting. And in very severe cases, they can actually so numerous, that they can cause bowel blockages!

Cats can get roundworms from other cats, infected prey animals (rodents, rabbits and squirrels) or even from the soil where other infected animals have defecated.

Roundworms are also the cause of Visceral Larva Migrans in humans. Young children are at high risk for this disease due to roundworm eggs being found in sandboxes, playgrounds and yards. Visceral Larva Migrans can affect the lungs, liver, eyes, the brain, heart, and other organs.

HOOKWORMS (Ancylostoma braziliense)

Hookworms are dangerous bloodsuckers that can kill a kitten or adult cat depending on the severity of infestation and the overall health of the cat. At other times, a cat with severe hookworms may require a blood transfusion in order to recover. Hookworms are most often found in areas with warm, moist environments.

Signs of hookworms are anemia (pale, mucus covered gums), dark stools (passed blood), weight loss and dull, poor looking coats. Hookworms can’t be seen with the naked eye, so if you suspect or know that hookworms are prevalent in your area, take your pet to a vet for tests immediately.

Hookworm eggs can lie dormant for months in the soil around apartment complexes and other outdoor areas that infested animals may frequent. Even if you pet lives alone, just by playing in an infected area, it can ingest a hookworm egg or even have one burrow under its skin while resting on the ground.

TAPEWORMS (Dipylidium caninum, T. taeniaeformis)

Tapeworms round out our worm trilogy. Tapeworms are visible to the human eye like round worms. The first time a cat owner usually knows their pet is infested is when they notice “dried rice” or “sesame seeds” stuck to the cat’s bedding or on its anal area. These nasty bits are dried tapeworm segments.

The most common way for tapeworms to enter a cat’s system is via fleas. Yes, our vampiric friend, the cat flea is also a prime carrier of tapeworms. Tapeworms if left to grow can cause very horrible stomach cramps, diarrhea and even convulsions in cats as their systems become overwhelmed with toxins from their uninvited guests.

Like roundworms, humans can sometimes become infested with tapeworms due contact with infected animals. This is yet another reason that you should control your cat’s flea problem.

Both roundworms and tapeworms can now be treated with over the counter tablets that are inexpensive. Hookworms, however, must be treated by your vet since it can quickly lead to more serious conditions. But if you are not sure which type of worm infestation your pet is suffering, please visit your local vet for a proper diagnosis.

Click to learn more about DE

]]> http://mysickcat.com/cat-worms/treating-cats-worms/feed/ 0 http://mysickcat.com/cat-worms/signs-of-cats-worms/ http://mysickcat.com/cat-worms/signs-of-cats-worms/#comments Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:01:37 +0000 admin http://mysickcat.com/?p=16 Signs of Worms in your Cat

Like most mammals, your cat’s intestinal tract is host to many different kinds of tiny biological critters. Most are harmless but the ones that instinctively give people the shudders are worms.

These parasitic pests can enter your cat’s body in numerous ways; some kittens are even born carrying worms!

If you want to know how to prevent and treat worm infestations in your pet, then you should learn the follows signs.

Signs of Feline Worms

Loss of Appetite: In advanced stages, worms can cause considerable pain and discomfort that makes eating difficult or stressful for your pet. Also over time worms can cause damage to the digestive tract.

Dull coat: Worms compete for nourishment with the host animal and a sign of this may be a lackluster coat.

Potbelly: Especially with roundworms, a cat or kitten can develop a distended or potbelly appearance.

Weight Loss: A cat with worms will have a sudden drop in weight. Although weight loss is one of the signs of worms, it can also be indicative of other problems such as diabetes or heart problems. So weight loss must to taken in combination with other symptoms. Please visit your vet for a profesional diagnosis.

Stunted growth: This is seen in kittens and young cats. But older cats may be slow to heal or recover from illnesses.

Listless or Lethargic Your normally happy-to-see-you cat, who greets you at door, now seems not to care anymore. Worms often cause anemia and poor nutrition in infected cats that make it difficult for them to maintain their natural energy levels. To check for anemia, look for pale pink gums in your pet.

Diarrhea or vomiting: All types of worms can cause intestinal distress that can lead to loose and watery stools or vomiting.

Constant licking around the anal area: Worms are very irritating and your cat can be seen frequently licking or grooming around their anal areas. Look for bits of something that looks like “dried rice or sesame seed” (dead tapeworm segments) sticking to your animal’s fur.

If your cat is experiencing any noticeable pain or discomfort, you should take them to your vet immediately because some worm infestations can become life threatening.

Yes, Your Cat Can Get the Flu…

Some cats like some people can be prone to upper respiratory problems. Signs of that your cat may have a “cold” or “flu” are:

• Sneezing
• Sniffling
• Runny nose and eyes
• Coughing
• Fever

An upper respiratory infection can last anywhere from 7 to 10 days. Longer than this and you should take your pet into see your vet.

Cat Flu (an old name for Feline Upper Infectious Respiratory Disease) is still very common in cats. The cause of most cases of upper respiratory infections is believed to be a form of either Feline Pneumonitis, Rhinotracheitis or Calcivirus viruses. Rarely is Cat Flu dangerous to an healthy animal but it can be fatal in an animal with a weakened immune system such as in kittens, older cats or cata with other health issues.

This type infection can easily be spread to other cats via nose or eye discharge, contaminated food dishes and human hands or shared bedding.

The best treatment for a cat with a cold is surprisingly similar to human care. Keep your pet warm, quiet and away from other cats, if possible. In order to avoid dehydration, you can try mixing extra water in with their regular moist or dry food. In case, a runny nose stops them from eating due to loss of smell, you can drizzle a little bit of canned tuna fish or chicken broth over their chow to perk up the taste buds.

Feline Asthma

Suddenly one week, my old tom cat started wheezing with his sides bellowing in and out as he struggled for breath. Imagine my shook when I discovered that he has a feline version of “asthma” similar to mine.

Despite its name many vets believe that this disorder is actually an allergic reaction of your cat to their environment. Numerous outside factors such as molds, mildew and other common allergens can make your cat suffer all the symptoms of a classic asthma attack: wheezing, coughing (sounds similar to a hairball session but without the mess), shortness of breath, labored breathing or panting with heaving sides.

A cat having an asthmatic episode can be very frightening for both the cat and the cat owner. Feline asthma is a chronic and progressive disease that can’t be cured and may even be fatal. So please take your cat to an emergency vet if their condition worsens over time.

What animal can leap longer than 100 times its own length? Or can lift a weight a 100 times heavier than its own body weight?

Yes, you guessed it, the common cat flea. Cat fleas are one the most annoying and resistant pests that pet owners normally encounter.

Next to roaches, bedbugs and ants, they are one of the most common household insects in the country. And the little buggers have a stinging bite like a 200 lb vampire!

What are cat fleas?

A tiny wingless bloodsucker, that moves about by leaping from pet to owner to carpet and back again. Except for their painful, itching bites, fleas would appear to be harmless but these small parasites can host lots of ugly diseases and illnesses for both you and your pet. Fleas can be carriers of tapeworms and a type Typhus. Both can be transmitted to humans.

How can I tell if my Cat has fleas?

The main symptoms you will recognize are increased licking and scratching. Flea bites are very irritating to the skin and your cat will respond to bite sites with an almost violent reaction of scratching and licking.

Another sign will be signs of “flea dirt”. Flea dirt are tiny bits of dried blood and fecal matter that looks like grains of black pepper on your pet’s coat. Check the back near the base of the tail for the signs of these dark specks. If the flea infestation is heavy, you can check your pets gums for signs of anemia.

How to Combat a Flea invasion

Fleas are tiny and drop their eggs in pet bedding, carpets and furniture, basically anywhere your cat can travel. So the first step is to vacuum. I mean not just your normal housecleaning but break out the crevice tools and do a really deep vacuum of all areas your cat loves to frequent. Make sure to take the used vacuum bag outside to the trash as soon as you finish because fleas can crawl back out if you are not careful!

Wash all pet beddings. Yes, I know cats get upset when you disturb their routine, but nothing will make you more embarrassed than a flea zapping the leg of visiting dinner guest or your boss or church deacon.

Buy a good non-toxic bug spray that kills adult fleas. Forget about the pupae, when fleas are in their egg cocoons nothing can touch them but you can take of any stray adults and larvae. Spray under furniture and in all the corners since larvae like to hide from the light. Don’t forget to spray out in the yard where you pets play.

If you are worried about using a spray around your pet or family then you can always fall back on using Diatomaceous Earth. This a natural product that can be used as a topical powder for bedding and carpets or internally.

Now for the cat. Bet you thought, I had forgotten but first you have to beat back the main army before you work on the snipers lurking on kitty. Grab your fine-tooth flea comb and pour a little rubbing alcohol out in a shallow bowl.

Now sit down with your cat in nice quiet corner. Using the comb, remove any adult fleas you may find. The alcohol is to drown and kill them immediately.

Flea collars, sprays, powders are obsolete so don’t waste your money. Buy a good flea killer like  Frontline (fleas & ticks). I have tried everything on the market and I have had the most success with Frontline which kills adult and baby fleas.

Now all pet  insecticides are absorbed the skin and kills fleas in a matter of days.But don’t be surprised that in a week or two, you know yourself slapping your leg again.

This is because the flea eggs (pupae) have hatched and they are looking for that first blood meal but since your cat is now treated, they are attacking you.  So do the deep vacuum and use either a non-toxic spray or the Diatomaceous Earth again. This should take care of you and your pet through flea season.

I find that Frontline works the best - click here to learn more...

If you live with a cat sooner or later you will hear the charming sound of retching late at night somewhere in the house. You will quickly learn the value of wearing slippers as you stagger around those cigar-shaped masses early in the morning. Yes, kitty has hairballs.

Yep, out side of litter boxes, this is usually the thing most non-cat owners find the least attractive about our feline friends. The sudden gagging and elongated neck movements, I admit can be startling when first viewed. But hairballs are a common part of cat owner’s life.

What causes hairballs?

Basically cats are the neat freaks of the animal kingdom and will spend up 3 hours a day just licking and primping their coats. All this grooming continually pulls hair tufts loose, which your cat promptly swallows down.

Since cats are predators of all things small and furry, you would think that any swallowed hair would, uh…pass out the other end. And most of the times it does, but seems cats have developed sensitive stomachs over the thousands of years of mooching…I mean, living with us humans. All that soft living seems to make hairballs more prevalent.

So over time, these fur masses get bounded up in the feline intestinal tract and can not comfortably pass in the accepted manner. Hence the near death experience to bring up a hairball.

Can hairballs hurt my cat?

Normally no, most hairballs will pass harmless out of either end of your cat or the other and pose no health threat, although human disgust is an unfortunate side effect. Occasional hairballs, 1 to 4 times a month are considered normal.

But you should pay attention if your pet experiences frequent retching or straining without visible results (no hairball). This and staining at the litter box may indicate a possible blockage in the bowels. Take your pet to a vet’s office immediately since a blockage is life threatening.

How to prevent hairballs?

As long as cats groom themselves, this will always be an issue but there are some things you can do lessen the frequency and severity of the problem.

1) Combing or deep brushing your cat. For short hair cats you can use a fine tooth flea comb available from the pet section of a department store. For long or fine hair coats, I have found that instead of a comb that a good wire tooth coat brush (made for long hair dogs) seems to pull out loose hair tufts better than a comb on my pets.

2) Add fiber to your cat’s diet. Cats who travel outdoors often try to remedy this problem themselves by munching on grass. But if your pet is an urbanite or you don’t have access to a grassy enclosure, you can try adding a few teaspoons of canned pumpkin to the nightly dinner bowl. Or switch to a higher fiber dry cat food.

3) Add a lubricant. There are a number of good tasting commercial hairball remedies available. Most are petroleum jelly based and basically acts as both a lubricant and laxative for your kitty. Of course you can always just smear a dab of plain old Vaseline on the front paws of your pet. They in turn will rapidly lick the offending stuff off and into their stomachs.

But be careful that you don’t smear too much or else you will be washing gobs of petroleum jelly off the walls and lamp shades!