Intestinal Parasites in Cats
Some of the more prevalent intestinal parasites in cats include the following:
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Tapeworms
- Lungworms
Signs of Parasites in Cats
Signs of intestinal parasites in cats include the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Worms or worm segments in the feces
- Tarry stools
- Segments of tapeworms in the anal area (look like white rice)
- Dehydration due to frequent vomiting and diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Anemia
- Skin lesions
- Lack of activity
- Irritation
- Hiding behavior
Typically, parasites will not be fatal. However, they may cause severe complications in young kittens and immuno-compromised cats.
Causes of Parasites in Cats
The cause of intestinal parasites in cats will vary depending on the type of parasite. All Pets can help you identify the source of the intestinal parasite once we classify the type it is.
The following are a few causes of each type of parasite:
Roundworms
Causes of roundworms in cats include the following:
- Passed from mother to kittens during nursing
- Ingesting an infected rodent
- Ingesting the feces of an infected cat
Hookworms
While more common in dogs, causes of hookworms in cats include the following:
- Eating infective larvae
- Direct skin contact
Tapeworms
Causes of tapeworms in cats include the following:
- Eating an infected animal, such as rodents
- Fleas
Lungworms
Causes of lungworms in cats include the following:
- Eating infected snails or slugs
- Eating a bird or rodent that has ingested an intermediate host
Diagnosis of Parasites in Cats
Your veterinarian here at All Pets can typically diagnose parasites with a physical exam, examination of a stool sample under a microscope or by sending a stool sample to a lab for complete testing. We might also order blood tests to get a complete picture of your cat’s health.
Once we determine that your cat has an intestinal parasite infection, we will discuss a specialized treatment plan.
Treatment of Parasites in Cats
Depending on the severity of the parasite infestation and the type of parasite, treatment will vary. We typically perform screenings for parasites in cats.
Contact us here at All Pets to discuss our treatment options.
Prevention of Parasites in Cats
The following are a few ways to help prevent parasites in cats:
- Keep your cat indoors to avoid exposure to infected cats, rodents, fleas and feces.
- Make sure your home, yard and pets are flea-free.
- Practice good hygiene and wear gloves when changing cat litter or handling feces. Also, properly dispose of stool.
- Oral or topical parasite preventatives for cats.
For more information on intestinal parasites and our treatment options, contact us with the link below!
