Cat Parasites – Who Else Wants to Know About Pot Bellied Cats?
By Kate Rieger
The vet confirmed your newly adopted kitten wasn’t pregnant, but she was was loaded with cat parasites. Here’s how to help free her of this cat worm mess.
Its been a few days since you first saw the abandoned calico running away from her hiding place in the garage. You caught her attention by offering her a can of cat food which she promptly inhaled. Starving yes, she was, but you couldn’t help notice that she had a big pot belly.
A quick test by your vet which confirmed that she was loaded with cat parasites. There are two types of cat worms: roundworms and tapeworms. Just in case you’re wondering, the details of this article probably would not make good dinner conversation!
Roundworm cat worms are most common in kittens. Kittens contract roundworms through their mother’s milk; the mother usually becomes contaminated with these cat worms via contaminated soil.
Kittens with roundworms usually have enlarged pot bellies. Roundworms look like cooked spaghetti and can appear in vomit or poo. Sorry for that detailed description, but it’s all part of being a responsible kitty caregiver, right?
Most kittens are born with roundworm cat parasites. All kittens should get a vet checkup to see if deworming medication is necessary. Oftentimes kittens need to take deworming medication for several months to get rid of cat parasites. In fact, you should consider putting your cat on a regular program to keep her free of the creeps.
Tapeworms are most common in adult cats. The cat ingests a flea while grooming; the flea has a tapeworm inside it. Outdoor cats may contract these cat parasites by eating raw flesh from prey such as small animals or fish.
OK, if you thought the roundworm description was gross, brace yourself for the tapeworm description! Tapeworm parasites are approximately one-fourth inch long. You may see them moving about in the fur surrounding your cat’s anus. You may also see what looks like dried up grains of rice in areas where your cat sleeps; these are pieces of dead tapeworms.
Tapeworm cat worms also signify that your kitty has a flea infestation. So when you visit the vet, you’ll probably need a deworming medication to get rid of the cat parasites and a flea medication to stop the cycle.
Although its rare, sometimes cats have reactions to prescribed medications that treat cat worms. Symptoms include shaking, poor coordination, vomiting and diarrhea. If your cat experiences these symptoms after taking a over-the-counter dewormer, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Better yet, take a turn for a gentler, natural solution to cat parasites. Visit http://Cat-Bladder-Problems.com and download your free e-report to learn what natural remedies are best for getting rid of cat worms in your cat or kitten.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Rieger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Parasites—Who-Else-Wants-to-Know-About-Pot-Bellied-Cats?&id=3565333