Cat Worming

Cat Worm Facts and Treatments

It is very difficult to keep your cat from contracting any of the variety of worms that they are apt to contract.  Just drinking his/her Mother’s milk can infect even a newborn kitten.  Weakened immune systems can also be the cause of worms in kittens and cats that have been ill.  Sometimes, keeping your pet indoors and clean does not always keep them worm free.

A hygienic environment does help keep worms at a minimum as worms thrive on fecal matter and body fluids often found outdoors in the yard or even from contaminated soil.  But is it difficult to keep your cat inside the house all the time when the sunshine and warm breeze of the spring and summer beckon to them.  Regular checking for worms and recognizing the different types can give you a head start in the treatment of worms if they develop.

Roundworms are the most common type of worms that can infect your cat, especially kittens.  Since kittens have not developed an immune system yet, roundworms can find their way into a kitten’s tissue by infected milk of the Mother who may have dormant parasites in her system.  Regular treatments of medicine for roundworm (Toxocara Cati) are recommended, especially for kittens.  As they grow, their system will develop a natural immune system to these worms.

Hookworms are parasites that live in the small intestine of your cat and are blood-sucking parasites.  This can lead to decreased appetite, diarrhea and skin irritation.  Although hookworms (Ancylostoma, Uncinaria) can be deadly if not treated, the same medication used for roundworms can kill these parasites.

Tapeworms are very common in Australia in animals.  With cats, fleas are a major contributor to tapeworm infestation.  Catching mice is another way that they are spread.  You might notice tapeworms (Taenia, Dipylidium) in your cat’s stool or on their back end.  They resemble grains of rice and can even remain alive once outside of your cat’s body.  There is medication for tapeworm but unless the flea problem and hunting mice is addressed, chances are the tapeworms will return.

Other types of worms include heartworms, strongyloides worms, stomach worms, lungworms, heartworms and fluke worms.  Worming products for your cat can be purchased over-the-counter but many types are very hard to detect, especially in kittens.  There may be no signs of parasites until they are too weak to help. 

Watch what your cats eat and make sure they have a clean environment to live in.  Strengthen your cat’s immune system with vitamin supplements and watch them carefully when they play outside.  The best way to handle worm infestation in your cat or kitten is to make regular de-worming appointments with your veterinarian to make sure that they are worm free and in good physical health.