Feline Illness - Cat Worms Infestation And Treatment

Cats are particularly prone to picking up worms because they are inquisitive creatures and like nothing better than exploring forgotten corners and putting their noses into anything that looks interesting. Worms can be picked up from eating dead birds and mice too, so it is as well to assume that worm infestation is likely to occur if cats are known to catch birds and rodents. You can then take preventive measures now rather than wait until they become ill or malnourished.

In the feline, worms that are most common are the following:

Roundworm
These are the most common of these parasites and are about 2-3 inches in length with a tapered end. They are pale in colour. You will know if your cat has roundworm because either he will pass a stool - or even cat diarrhea - in which you can see them, or he will vomit because of an increasing obstruction caused by the worms and they will be apparent in what he brings up.

Cats with roundworm usually have enormous appetites because they're not getting the benefit of the food they're eating and are not getting nourishment from it. Kittens in particular need immediate treatment. You will notice that they have very fat, firm, pot-bellied abdomens, and are always ravenous.

Tapeworm
These are visible to the naked eye and can sometimes be seen upon elimination as segments that are still moving either on the cat's rear end or in the stool. It's important to treat the cat and get rid of the entire tapeworm - usually particularly difficult because they have a ring of short spikes with which they clamp on to the lining of the intestine. To get rid of the tapeworm you need to persuade it to let go of the cat's intestine. If you see small white 'grains' around where your cat usually sits or sleeps it's a good indication that tapeworm is about.

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Hookworms
Hookworms are almost invisible to the naked eye and it is practically impossible to see them. Your cat may present with anaemia, abdominal pain and possibly rectal bleeding, but in some cases the cat becomes resistant to them and manages to absorb food and stave off any gastrointestinal problems.

As a matter of course you should always wash your hands after handling your cat, but particularly if your cat has internal parasites you need to wash your hands really thoroughly and keep any litter trays scrupulously clean. You will also need to wash your cat's bedding more frequently so that reinfestation does not occur once treatment has been started.

Treatment is essential, not only because of the effect these worms have on your cat, but cats can pass these to humans too, they can cause gastrointestinal problems, skin allergies, and in the case of roundworm, blindness.

You can buy proprietary brands of worming tablets in pet shops and many supermarkets, but to be sure of your cat's general condition and any underlying problems associated with worms you need to book your cat in to see the veterinary surgeon for ongoing advice and effective treatment. It may be that the tablets you buy are not effective against the parasites with which you're dealing.

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