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.

How to Protect Your Cat from Fleas that Cause Worms

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.

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 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 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.

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 Advantage, Frontline (fleas & ticks) and Revolution (fleas, ticks and ear mites). These 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. Now 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 spray down again. This should take care of you and your pet through flea season.