![]() Other worms also found in catsĪ definitive diagnosis of worms is usually made through fecal samples. Hookworms can potentially infect people too. Death can occur in some cases, especially in young kittens. Some cats may have a cough from larvae migrating to the lungs. Cats that are suffering from blood loss may have pale gums, lethargy, and a poor appetite. Symptoms of hookworm infection include dark, sticky/tarry feces (known as melena), diarrhea, or constipation. It can also be spread from mother to kitten via milk. Hookworms can be caught by accidental ingestion from a contaminated environment, or through larvae on the ground that penetrate the skin, usually through the paws, between the toes. ![]() Symptoms of hookworm infection include dark, sticky/tarry feces, diarrhea, or constipation. The bite wounds from this parasite can also seep blood after feeding is finished that is then lost into the digestive tract. The adult worm causes anemia and inflammation in the small intestine, due to the way they suck blood from their host. HookwormsĪncylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma braziliense, and Ancylostoma tubaeforme are hookworm species that affect cats. Your cat may also have weight loss, despite a good appetite, and show other signs such as poor coat condition. You may see the small tapeworm segments stuck in the fur near your cat’s bottom. With tapeworm infections you might notice your cat is excessively itchy around his anus, licking and grooming down there more than usual. A cat that eats undercooked or raw meat, for example hunting small rodents and birds, could get tapeworm in this way. Some species of tapeworm can also migrate into the muscles of an animal, forming cysts. Fleas can also carry the larvae of D.caninum, meaning that cats accidentally ingesting a flea while grooming themselves could get a tapeworm. With tapeworm infections you might notice your cat is excessively itchy around his anus, licking and grooming down there more than usual.Įggs can be accidentally eaten by cats after contact with infected animals or their feces. These are egg packets, full of many more immature tapeworms! These look like small grains of rice, which might still be moving. As it does so, small segments from the worm become detached and passed out of the cat’s anus. This means the worm can stay safely in situ, feeding and growing. The head has suckers and hooks on it that help the tapeworm anchor to the intestinal wall. Tapeworms are long, flat, and segmented worms that can vary in length, with Dipylidium caninum and Dipylidium taenia being the species that infect cats. This includes stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and possible blindness. Infectious larvae (an immature stage of the roundworm life cycle) found in fecal material can, on rare occasions, cause health issues in people. It is worth noting that roundworms can be a risk to humans, particularly children. This could require emergency surgery to resolve. ![]() In extreme cases a heavy worm burden could lead to an obstruction in the intestines, blocking the passage of food and liquid. They can also cause lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many cats show no symptoms of roundworm infection unless the worms are present in high numbers.Īnimals with large amounts of roundworm may have a large abdomen or “pot-bellied” appearance. Roundworms most commonly infect animals with a lowered immune system such as young cats or those with other conditions such as pregnancy and ill health. They are widespread geographically, with the two most common types being Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonine. Roundworms can be spread from one cat to another from eggs passed in the feces, or from infected mothers via their milk to the kittens.Īnimals with large amounts of roundworm may have a large abdomen or “pot-bellied” appearance. Roundworms are an extremely common parasite in cats affecting all age groups. The most common types of parasitic worms found in cats live in their digestive tract. Outdoor cats that hunt are also at greater risk. Cats should be wormed regularly as part of a preventative treatment planĬats of any age, but especially young animals or those with poor immune systems.Worms should be treated with veterinarian-recommended anti-parasite products.Worms can be caught by any cat, but are more common in young animals or those with a compromised immune system.The most common worms in cats are roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms.
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