Cats with worms may have a multitude of symptoms or none at all. Common signs may include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss or an unthrifty coat. Worms may be observed in the vomitus or in the feces. Intestinal parasites of cats can infect humans and small children are at particular risk. Young kittens should have fecal (stool) exams performed by your veterinarian starting no latter than 4 weeks of age and at every visit for vaccines. Older cats should have routine fecal checks every 6 months or every 3 months if they go outside. It's always a great idea to have a prepared list of questions to ask at every veterinary visit.
If a cat has tapeworms, the signs will not usually show until it starts to expel little white, or off-white, bits that will be seen near the cat's anus. The bits are about the size of a sesame seed and look similar as they dry up. Tapeworms are picked up by cats from infected fleas which they may have gotten from wild kills off of birds, mice and other animals. Tapeworms are easily treated by an over-the-counter medication at a good vet supply store. Treatment is handled in one dosage.
Signs of other types of worms in cats (such as pinworms etc.) are more difficult to determine without a microscopic examination of a stool sample, HOWEVER- symptoms include weight loss, unending appetite (to eventual loss of appetite if worm infestation begins to make the animal deathly ill) as well as dull coat and seepage at the inner corners of the eyes. The most effective over-the-counter remedies are the liquid, NOT tablet, wormers available in the pet section of most stores (even the local grocery) and require a 2 dose treatment over 10 day period. Cleaning and sanitizing the litter-box during this period is recommended after each treatment to help prevent any reinfestation.
WHEN IN DOUBT, CONTACT A VET!
Sometimes it's difficult to see if they have worms and you should deworm your cat a couple times of year. Phone your local vet and they will tell you and then get the worm capsules from them as they know the correct dose for the weight of your cat.
How cats can get wormsTape worms - the ones that look like little bits of rice-are caused by fleas. They only have to swallow one flea to get tape worms, you must get a prescription from a vet to get rid of them. The dewormers at the store never work. Most other worms are contracted by the cat actually consuming the eggs - from feces (that they stepped in and licked off their paws). OTC dewormers will not work on tapeworms. If your cat eats rodents or has fleas, they will end up with tapeworm. You can get a pill from the vet that will dissolve the protective coating off the tapeworm and allow the cats stomach to digest it.Tape Worms are by far the most common internal parasite encountered. The scientific name for the Tapeworm is called Dipylidium.
Hookworms are blood sucking parasites that live in the small intestine. The scientific name for the Hookworm we encounter in our area is called Ancylostoma. They can be very pathogenic and even cause death due to anemia and low protein level
Roundworms - A common parasite of dogs and cats, especially puppies and kittens, is Roundworms. The scientific name for their group is called ascarids. Routine treatment for puppies and kittens for this parasite, the first is their prevalence, the second is their potential to infest humans. The larval form of this parasite has the potential to cause serious disease in children. Fortunately it is a rare problem, and can be prevented by worming all puppies and kittens early in life
Whipworms - Whipworms are blood sucking parasites that live in the large intestine, usually only in dogs. They are called Whipworms because they have a slender end and a thick end, hence the appearance of a whip. The scientific name for the Whipworm we encounter in our area is called Trichuris. They can be as pathogenic as Hookworms, and also cause death due to anemia and low protein level.
Coccidia = Coccidia are not technically a worm, but a protozoan parasite that infect dogs and cats primarily, but can be seen in other species.
Giardia = Giardia are also protozoal parasites that live in the small intestines. Giarida are found every where in the world, Infection rates are variable, with younger animals having a higher rate of infection. There are various strains that differ in their potential to cause disease. The strain called Giarda lamblis (also called intestinalis or duodenalis) is the primary strain of people, companion animals. and livestock.
This parasite can be found on fecal exams of healthy pets that don't have any symptoms. It is probably under diagnosed due to the chronic nature of the problem it presents and the difficulty of coming up with a positive diagnosis.
Giardia exists in 2 forms; trophozoites and cysts. The active and motile form, called trophozoites, are the stage which lives in the intestines of an affected mammal. These trophozoites produce non-motile cysts which are shed into the environment. The cysts remain viable in the environment for months, especially in cool and moist areas. They thrive in clear and cool water, a good reason not to drink running water in the outdoors, no matter how pristine it looks. The cysts are killed by freezing, boiling, and extended contact with disinfectants.
It is theorized that giardia make pets prone to food Allergies. By interfering with the intestinal lining they let in proteins that stimulate the immune system to cause an allergic reaction.
It can be a couple of types of worms and it's best to get your vet to give you worm capsules for your cat. Any pet you own should have a physical every year and all their shots.
If you cat has worms, then they have more than one worm. There is not set amount of worms that animals get when they have them.
A cat with worms can infect a cat that doesn't have worms, so it's best to give both cats (after discussing it with your vet) the worm capsules.
They may throw up or have diarreah. Don't be surprised if they go to the bathroom a lot, and have worms in it.
Yes the cat may give the human worms
If a cat's belly is hard and round, it probably has some type of worms.
Coughing
Disgusting? Cat Whisper
usually worms make a cat eat like crazy but still lose weight.
my 10 year old grandson has all the symptoms of tapeworms...also blood in his stools. can this be caused by worms? his cat had worms too, but we treated him.. can Michael get them too.. Thank you so very much.. deeply concerned
It could be that your cat has worms or some other intestinal parasite. A cat with worms will seem constantly hungry and will occasionally vomit. Take the cat to the vet. Some worming treatments cover many worms which you can give your cat.
The cat could possible have worms.
Yes.