How To Treat Cat With Worms

When To Treat Your Cat

Kittens are commonly born with worms or become infected early in life, especially with roundworms, which can be transmitted through their mothers milk. Kittens should be wormed at two, four, six, eight and twelve weeks of age. After this, they can be treated with an all wormer for cats every three months.

Pregnant and nursing cats should also be treated with worm medication during mating, and before giving birth to a litter, as they can pass on intestinal worms to their kittens.

If your cat has a heavy worm infestation you may need to repeat your cat dewormer ten days after the initial dose is administered.

Are Worms Painful For Cats

Worms in cats can potentially cause pain. The migration of larvae through the liver, stomach, eye, or lungs would cause discomfort as the affected tissues become inflamed from the disruption.

This could present as:

• Belly pain, including gastritis due to inflammation of the stomach lining

• A change in your cats breathing rate/pattern

The accumulation of fluid from protein loss can cause a distended abdomen in some animals, which can be uncomfortable due to the swelling of the abdominal muscles and skin.

It can also cause breathing issues if too much abdominal fluid is pressing on the diaphragm and restricting the normal lung capacity for proper breathing.

Yes, humans can contract worm infections from cats by coming into direct contact with contaminated feces or soil.

Common modes of transmission include:

• Children playing in sandboxes where cats have defecated

• Walking barefoot through contaminated soil

• Gardening in soil without wearing gloves

Accidental ingestion of contaminated soil or feces can happen in humans as well, so good hygiene practices are vital for preventing transmission from cat to owner.

What Is The Cost Of Treating Roundworms In Cats

Roundworms in cats are relatively affordable to treat compared to other medical conditions. Be prepared to pay for the cost of an office visit as well as the diagnostics necessary to diagnose roundworms. The cost of the medication may vary, so consider working parasite prevention into your yearly budget, and talk to your veterinarian about the monthly parasite prevention options available.

Recommended Reading: How To Keep Cats From Pooping In Mulch

Do You Know How To Treat Your Cat’s Worms

Now do you want to know how to get rid of your cat’s worms? Different strategies are available to you.

We recommend that you first visit a vet so that they can make a diagnosis and, after analyzing your kittys stools, determine what type of worms are multiplying in your cat’s digestive system.

Depending on the amount of worms that your cat is dealing with, the vet will recommend the best dewormer, adapted to the cats needs.

What Is The Prognosis For A Cat Diagnosed With Roundworms

Simple cases of roundworms in adults are fortunately very easy to treat with a course of medication, and your cat is likely to make a full recovery. However, in cases with very heavy parasite loads, cats with health issues, or in kittens, complications can occur, and additional supportive treatment may be required. In some cases, roundworm infestations can prove fatal.

Don’t Miss: Kittens For Sale Nesr Me

How Do You Deworm A Cat

Usually, your vet will test your cat’s stool for parasites to determine what the worms are. Then he will give medication for cat worming based on the results.

Besides a deworming product, you can use some home remedies to deal with mild worm infestations. However, you should consult your vet if you notice that the treatment is not working. In addition to this, do not try these remedies if your cat is exhibiting additional symptoms such as fever.

Kittens should be dewormed as young as four weeks old since they could already be infected with worms. They are too young for home remedies and should be taken to the vet.

Signs & Symptoms Of Roundworms In Cats

Signs and symptoms of roundworms in cats are similar to the symptoms of other feline intestinal parasites.

• Visible worms in vomit and feces

• Diarrhea with mucus

Roundworms are particularly common in kittens. These parasites make it difficult for your kitten to absorb the nutrients they need, which can cause your kitten to stop growing, have a dull coat and a pot-bellied appearance. If you notice any such loss of condition, contact your veterinarian straight away.

During the early stages of infestation, roundworm larvae migrate, which can cause a type of pneumonia and lead to coughing. As the infection progresses, you may also notice worms in your cats vomit or feces.

Recommended Reading: Low Cost Echocardiogram For Cats

Types Of Worms In Cats

Some of the most common worms that infect cats are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and heartworms. Here’s how to identify them:

Roundworms look like cooked spaghetti. They infect the intestines and are the most common worms found in cats. Roundworms may not cause any symptoms, but major infections can cause vomiting, weight loss, or a pot-bellied appearance.

Tapeworm segments look like dried grains of rice or flat white sunflower seeds, and are often moving or crawling around the rectum.

Tapeworms tend to be more common in older cats and cats that hunt. Your cat may not show any symptoms of tapeworms, but in some cases, there may be vomiting and weight loss.

Hookworms look like shorter spaghetti noodles, measuring about two inches long. Hookworms have a ribbon of brownish-red down the body and a hooked shape.

They are a small form of roundworm that can damage the lining of your cat’s intestine. Hookworms feed on blood from the cat’s small intestine and can cause anemia and weight loss.

Heartworms don’t show up in your cat’s stool or vomit which is why it’s important to see your vet once a year to screen for heartworms, says Jess Nichols, DVM, Chief Veterinarian at the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City.

“The most common behavioral change is less energy or more grooming around its rear end,” Nichols says. You may also notice that your cat has a lower appetite. But not all cats with heartworms exhibit behavioral changes

How Do Felines Get Tapeworms In The First Place

As if tapeworms are gross-sounding enough, consider the most common way that cats get them in the first place:

From fleas.

You may not think that you have fleas in your home, but its actually relatively easy to come in contact with these little buggers on a day-to-day basis. Boarding kennels , grooming shops, pet stores, or even veterinary hospitals are often hotspots for fleas that may pass from one animal host to another.

Even the great outdoors can expose your cat to fleas. This is especially true if your cat goes outdoors and you live in a woody area.

Tapeworms, like a few other common parasites, require at least 2 animal hosts in order to survive. The first hostusually the common fleawill contain tapeworm larvae. Once the infected flea becomes ingested by the second hoste.g., your catthat the larvae will find their way to the animals small intestine, latch on, and begin to grow.

For cats specifically, they typically become infected by tapeworms after accidentally eating a flea while grooming, or after eating a tapeworm-infected rodent.

Also Check: What To Feed A Stray Kitten Without Cat Food

How Can You Tell If Your Cat Has Tapeworms

As a tapeworm grows, pieces of its body break into segments and pass into your cats intestines. You may see dried, white or cream-colored segments of the tapeworm in your cat’s feces, or you may find them stuck to the fur under your cats tail.

Some tapeworm species will break into segments that are too small to see, while the segments of other tapeworm species will resemble sesame or cucumber seeds in size and appearance.

If a tapeworm has traveled into a cats stomach, and the cat vomits up the worm, it may come up as a large and moving segment.

Cats may bite or lick their , or drag their hindquarters across the floor. Keep in mind that a tapeworm infection is often asymptomatic and, contrary to popular belief, rarely a cause of weight loss in cats.

If you notice tapeworms, take your cat to the vet for an evaluation. A fecal sample can be used to diagnose intestinal parasites like tapeworms. Its always helpful to save any worms that you find and bring them to your veterinarian for diagnosis. They can be transported in a sealed plastic bag or jar.

How Will Roundworms Affect My Cat

Adult roundworms live in the cat’s intestines. Most cats will not have signs of infection however, cats with major roundworm infections commonly show vomiting, weight loss, dull hair, and a potbellied appearance. The cat may cough if the roundworms move into the lungs.

You may notice adult roundworms in your cat’s feces or vomit. They will appear white or light brown in color and may be several inches long.

Also Check: Iams Proactive Health Kitten Review

Are Roundworms Contagious To Humans

Roundworms can find their way into people as well as cats . Infestation happens when eggs are ingested. It is most common in children who may not practice the best hygiene and may pick up eggs on their hands when playing in the yard. Children should wash their hands regularly, and cats should be kept out of areas where children play.

The larvae don’t develop into adult roundworms in people, but the larvae migrating through the tissues can cause inflammation, especially in young children. Most cases are not serious, but in serious cases, organ damage is possible as a result of the migrating larvae , and sometimes the larvae can reach the eyes, leading to visual disturbances and even blindness.

The migration of roundworm larvae through human tissues is called “visceral larva migrans,” while migration to the eyes is called “ocular larva migrans.”

Benefits Of Wrm Clear

• Easy to administer. Its liquid formulation means it can be given directly by mouth, in food or water.
• Safe for kittens, pregnant females, adult and senior cats.
• Can be safely used long term
• Can be combined with conventional wormers to reduce toxic side effects, such as vomiting or diarrhoea
• Aids recovery after worm infestation is removed
• Reduces the risk of reinfection by suppressing egg production
• Can be combined with other HomeoPet products such as Liver Rescue

Also Check: How To Get Your Cat Esa Certified

What Are Hookworms In Cats

Hookworms are intestinal parasites that infect the small intestine and lead to digestive system issues. Hookworms latch onto the intestinal wall using their teeth and live off the blood of their host. If untreated, a hookworm infestation can be fatal, especially in kittens.

There are two forms of hookworms that can be found in cats: Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Ancylostoma braziliense, the former is more aggressive.

Can Other Pets Catch Worms From My Cat

If you have other pets, such as another cat or a dog, then it is possible that they could get worms, too, if your cat has them. You should make sure you treat all animals in your house for worms regularly. Do not use dog worm treatments on cats and vice versa. Ask your vet for the correct treatment for each pet.

Read Also: Cat Throw Up White Foam

How To Treat Them Best Ways To Do It

Regardless of the type of worm, we recommend waiting for your veterinarian to administer an injection or an oral treatment.

When administering the prescribed drug, the worms disintegrate in the intestines once the deworming drug takes effect. As a result, they are not seen in the feces of cats.

Treat your pets for roundworms when theyre young and tapeworms when theyre older. However, there are several over-the-counter treatments and dewormers that veterinarians frequently recommend.

Intestinal worms are common in cats, especially those who spend time outside. Deworming is an inexpensive and straightforward procedure that will swiftly eliminate your cats worm problems. However, they must be given to your cat carefully and following your veterinarians instructions.

To eliminate any larvae that may have hatched after the first treatment, your cat may need several doses. Its critical to realize that worms are impossible to avoid and that theyre so common that the vast majority of our cats will get infected with them.

A good spot-on flea treatment can also control fleas, and while the tapeworm treatment, due to its difference, needs to be separate, the flea treatment will lower the chances of having your cat ingest tapeworm eggs through a flea. The standard practice is to spot-treat fleas and worms every month, followed by a separate tapeworm treatment every two to three months.

To treat roundworms, standard recommendations are:

What Are Intestinal Worms

Intestinal worms are internal parasites that live inside your cats body and feed off them once contracted. The most common varieties of intestinal worms in Australia are roundworm, tapeworm, and hookworm.

Roundworm and hookworm can be passed to kittens through their mothers milk, or from the environment via contaminated faeces, water or soil.

Tapeworm is contracted when a cat eats fleas that have been infested with tapeworm. There are different types of tapeworms including the flea tapeworm and hydatid tapeworm. Ensure your cats worming treatment provides full coverage.

Also Check: What Shots Do Indoor Kittens Need

What Is The Most Effective Worm Medicine

Mebendazole is a medication used to treat worms. Threadworms , and other less common worms , can be treated primarily with this drug. Mebendazole can be purchased over-the-counter from a pharmacy. This medication can also be purchased on the internet.

How Often Should You Deworm A Human?

How often do you worm a human? It is critical that humans be dewormed every 6 months, even if they take mebendazole. Because the medication does not kill the eggs, worms will keep coming back to the site even after the medication has stopped working. Figure 1 is made up of a deworming medication and a water-soluble lubricant (fig. Adult worms are not killed, but eggs are. To keep worms under control, the dose should be repeated every six months.

Symptoms Of Worms In Cats And Kittens To Be Aware Of

If your cat has worms, they might seem perfectly happy and healthy. Meanwhile, parasites are multiplying inside their gut, stealing their precious nutrients and even their blood in some cases.

The symptoms of worms in cats and kittens differ depending on the type of worm infection they have. Usually your vet will want to pinpoint which species of worm is present so they can provide the right treatment.

You can help by regularly worming your cat and looking out for some of the tell-tale signs of infection.

Read Also: Friskies Lamb And Rice Cat Food

How To Prevent Tapeworms In Cats

As the old saying goes, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound cure. That certainly holds true when it comes to tapeworm infections. Vigilant and effective flea control for your cat is the first step in preventing infection from the flea tapeworm, Dipylidium, and cats who go outside will often hunt and consume prey, which serve as intermediate hosts for the other species of tapeworms. These cats should see their vet every three months for intestinal parasite testing and deworming whether symptoms are present or not.

How Do Cats Get Tapeworms

Cats can contract tapeworms in several ways, depending on the species of tapeworm. Most tapeworms require an intermediate host, which cats must ingest to contract the parasite.

Common causes include:

• Eating rats, mice, and other rodents

• Eating frogs or snakes

Dipylidium caninum is the most common type of tapeworms in both cats and dogs. This tapeworm uses fleas as an intermediate host, which can complicate treatment. When these tapeworms pass proglottids into the environment, the segments dry, turn golden in color, and release the eggs into the environment. These eggs are then ingested by flea larvae, which in turn are ingested by cats during grooming or scratching once the fleas mature into adults. Tapeworms then migrate to the cats small intestine, where they attach to the intestinal wall to feed.

The other common tapeworm in cats, taenia taeniaeformis, uses rats, mice, and other rodents as an intermediate host. Taenia tapeworm larvae migrate through the intestinal wall of their intermediate hosts and develop into the next stage, forming liver cysts that are then consumed by predatory cats. Still, more tapeworm hosts include reptiles, amphibians, and even fish, all of which can be consumed by curious hunters.

Don’t Miss: Cat Litter Box At Walmart

Symptoms And Treatment Of Cats With Worms

It can be difficult to tell if your cat has worms . Kittens with worms may have diarrhea, slow weight gain and a potbelly. Infected adult cats may have dark tarry stools, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. However, both are just as likely to have no signs of their worm infection at all. If your cat has never been checked for worms, it’s an absolute must. You should also have a stool sample checked for any new cat brought into your home. Deworming is usually a standard part of the protocol for shelter cats, and young kittens are typically dewormed several times as they get worms from their mother’s milk and will pass them back and forth. Even if your cat has been treated for worms before, a reinfestation is possible at any time because treatment just kills the existing worms.

This is one case where you have to go to the veterinarian for help. She needs to diagnose the type of worm infesting your cat in order to prescribe the correct medication. Over-the-counter deworming medications often don’t have enough punch to knock out worms for good. No home or folk remedies have been shown to be both effective and safe enough to get the job done, either. An infestation that goes unchecked for months or even years robs your cat of vital nutrients. She will also be shedding eggs or spores and infecting other animals .

Originally Published: Jun 1, 2011