Worms in cats

Worms in cats are a problem faced by many breeders. Helminthiasis can affect not only animals that roam freely outside the home and interact with strays, but also cats that never leave the confines of a city apartment. Therefore, it is important for owners to know how to protect their pets from infection, what symptoms may indicate the presence of helminths, and what to do if they encounter this problem.

Important! Not all types of worms that infest a cat's body are equally dangerous to humans. parasites, which are not transmitted from cats to owners, but a number of helminthiases may require parallel treatment of both the pet and all family members.

Symptoms of helminthiasis

The main signs of the presence of helminths in a cat’s body are:

• weight loss;
• poor appetite or increased appetite without weight gain;
• digestive disorders (diarrhea, constipation, vomit);
• anal itching;
• general depression and fatigue;
• increased temperature (in advanced stages or when an inflammatory process occurs);
• cough (in the pulmonary form);
• enlarged belly (more typical for small kittens);
• worms in feces;
• other signs of intoxication of the body with waste products of worms.

It is important to understand that at the initial stage, most helminths do not make themselves known in any way, and the presence of obvious or even mild symptoms indicates that there are quite a lot of parasites in the animal's body.

The symptoms and their severity largely depend on the type of parasites, their number and the health of the animal.

It is also worth understanding that the probability that a stray cat is infected with helminths is close to 100%, since according to data provided by veterinarians in Western Europe, 93% of stray animals and 25% of domestic animals tested had some type of helminthiasis.

Given that cleaning up pet feces isn't very common in Russia, and the large number of stray dogs and cats, even a completely indoor pet that never leaves the apartment is at risk of becoming infected with worms. Most often, owners unknowingly bring worm eggs into the home:

• on dirty shoes;
• with raw fish or meat;
• having sheltered a homeless animal.

Types of worms in cats

Worms are very diverse, both in their life cycle and in shape, size, and affected area.

Important! Helminths can parasitize in various parts of the intestines, liver, lungs, circulatory system, and soft tissues.

Depending on their shape and size, method of feeding and reproduction, helminths are classified into three main categories:

In pets, roundworms and tapeworms are most often diagnosed.

Nematodes

Important! Nematodes are highly contagious, so if helminths are found in an animal, it's likely that people who come into contact with it also have them.

This type of worm parasitizes the small intestine and feeds on blood. It's especially dangerous for small kittens, but can also undermine the health of an adult animal. Large numbers can cause anemia.

Ascaris

The life cycle of roundworms is quite complex:

• worm eggs are excreted in the feces of a sick animal, but become invasive only after some time (5-20 days) after entering the environment;
• they enter the body of a new host by eating contaminated meat (for example, a mouse), with water or other products;
• For roundworms, the pulmonary period of development is characteristic, when the larva penetrates the lung tissue through the bloodstream and develops into a worm there;
• The parasite then penetrates the esophagus into the intestines, where it continues its life cycle.

Considering the characteristics of the eggs excreted in the feces, if personal hygiene is observed, people living in a house with an animal may not become infected.

Toxocara

Important! Many species of Toxocara parasitize only certain animal species (dogs, cats, cattle). Toxocara leonina is common to humans, cats, and dogs, while Toxocara mystax (cati) is specific to cats.

The life cycle of Toxocara is identical to that of Ascaris, with the exception that not all helminths reach the intestine after the inhalational form. Larvae can infect other organs, leading to the development of the visceral form of the disease.

Hookworms

Cat hookworms are a type of worm that does not survive in the human body.

Hookworms can also cause serious harm to the animal itself. They are especially dangerous for kittens; although they are not transmitted during pregnancy, they can be transmitted through their mother's milk.

Tapeworm

Important! The life cycle of this helminth requires an intermediate host (fish, snails, crustaceans), so you cannot become infected from an animal or other person suffering from diphyllobothriasis.

Most often, only one parasite enters the body, but it can still cause serious harm, causing damage to the intestinal walls, inflammation, and anemia. Treatment is complex, as tapeworms cannot be eliminated with conventional medications, and an adult tapeworm that dies in the intestines of an animal (or person) can cause severe poisoning.

Cucumber tapeworm

Important! The mortality rate of kittens infected with this parasite reaches 100%.

A person can become infected by ingesting an exoparasite, although this is extremely rare. Only 16 cases of dipylidiasis have been diagnosed in humans, 14 of which were children.

Alveococcus (Echinococcus)

The peculiarity of this type of disease is that although the final host of this helminth (echinococcus) is canines, the larvae (alveococci) can parasitize in the body of cats and humans, causing serious damage to internal organs.

Important! Without treatment, alveolar echinococcosis can be fatal.

Opisthorchiasis

The disease is caused by the helminth Opisthorchis felineus (cat fluke), which requires an intermediate host (snails and fish) in its development cycle.

Important! Although humans can become infected with this type of helminthiasis, which can have quite unpleasant consequences, it is not possible to become infected through contact with an infected cat or its feces.

Dirofilaria

So-called "heartworms," ​​parasites of the circulatory system, are common in canines. Only a few cases of this pathology in cats are known, and veterinarians consider these cases to be exceptional.

Diagnostics

If you suspect helminthiasis in your cat, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

To determine the type of parasite, the doctor may order a stool test (which may show the presence of eggs) and a blood test (which may show characteristic changes in the blood count).

For more information on how to determine if your cat has worms, watch the video:

Treatment of worms in cats

At the first dangerous symptoms of infection, it is necessary to urgently carry out a deworming procedure.

It's important to remember that this procedure requires medications specifically designed for animals, and the use of drugs produced for humans is unacceptable. Failure to take this into account could have unpredictable consequences.

Animal medications are available on the market in a wide variety of price ranges. Therefore, choosing the right product for your pet is within the reach of any cat owner. Many modern treatments can rid your pet of parasites in just one treatment, but if the worms are deeply entrenched, a second treatment may be necessary.

It's good if every time you think about what to do if your cat has worms, you think about visiting a veterinarian. After all, only a qualified specialist can identify the type of parasite and prescribe the correct medication based on the results of the examination. It's also important to remember that for pets who haven't yet reached full maturity, you should purchase medications appropriate for their age.

Anthelmintics for cats

What should I give my cat for worms? A detailed examination of various anthelmintic medications leads to a logical conclusion: deworming tablets for cats They are divided into only two categories. In the first case, these are narrow-spectrum medications capable of treating an animal from a single, specific problem. In the second case, the medication contains various components capable of combating various types of unwanted companions. Such medications are called "complex" or broad-spectrum.

The second group includes the majority of all anthelmintic medications. All of them, to varying degrees, offer similar results. There are quite a few medications produced by different manufacturers, so it's worth focusing only on popular products that have been recommended by experts and recognized by the public. These include the following anthelmintic medications for cats:

• Polyvercan (sugar cubes);
• Milbemax;
• Caniquantel;
• Dirofen;
• Drontal;
• Pratel;
• Prazicide suspension plus;
• Febtal.

It's also worth noting that some medications are available in drops and suspensions, which makes it easier to administer the medication to a sick pet and facilitates precise dosing.

Top medicines

Leaders are everywhere, I didn’t ignore this point anthelmintic drugs for worms For cats. The following products made the top three.

Drontal

Drontal's first-place finish is well-deserved. This type of cat deworming tablet has received the most positive reviews from pet owners. They appreciate the drug's quality and effectiveness. Another plus is its price—it's the most affordable for this market segment.

The main components of the drug are praziquantel and pyrantelThey are effective against roundworms and tapeworms. An adult cat weighing four kilograms only needs one tablet to receive the required dose of medication.

Milbemax

Anthelmintic Milbemax Milbemax is classified as a broad-spectrum, complex medication. Its composition truly differs from other medications. In Milbemax, the well-known praziquantel is supplemented by a second component, milbemycin oxine. This chemical is characterized by a lethal effect on heartworms, which parasitize the animal's bloodstream and heart, as well as roundworms, which live in the intestines. The drug is equally effective against both larval and adult parasites. Among the top medications, Milbemax is the most expensive.

The drug's versatility adds to its popularity. It's available for both adult cats and kittens. However, for kittens under six weeks of age, it's best to choose a different product. Also, Milbemax should not be given to pregnant cats. The overwhelming majority of reviews of this product are positive, earning it a place of honor among the best deworming medications for cats.

Dirofen

Dirofen Dirofen is a combination medication. It is available in tablet, suspension, and paste forms. It contains pumpkin seed oil, which has a beneficial effect on intestinal healing and overall gastrointestinal health after an infection. The cost of the medication varies depending on the type of medication, but is generally quite reasonable. Dirofen is most often used to treat cestodiasis and nematodiasis in cats and kittens. This medication has a proven track record due to its rapid action and high level of effectiveness.

What if the cat is pregnant?

Owners of expensive cats are extremely interested in the purity of their future offspring. To this end, they regularly perform preventative treatments on the expectant parents in advance, approximately 2-3 weeks before the scheduled mating. However, if the cat is already pregnant and tests show the presence of worms, parasite control measures are still taken. When prescribing medication, the veterinarian only prescribes medications that are safe for use during pregnancy. It's important to note that some medications are only suitable during the early stages of pregnancy, while others are only suitable for later stages.

How to give a cat a deworming pill?

Below we have prepared instructions for you on how to: How give the cat a deworming pill in a few steps:

1. The tablet should be crushed. The resulting powder should be mixed with your pet's favorite liquid food. The resulting treat can be given to your "little patient."
2. Place the cat on your lap with its back to you. Now, if the animal tries to back away, it will have nowhere to retreat. Then, unclench the pet's jaws and place the deworming medication in its mouth. Then, keeping the animal's mouth closed, begin stroking the cat's throat. This will trigger the swallowing reflex, ensuring the animal receives the required dose of the medication.
3. The tablet should be thoroughly crushed and mixed with water. Use only a small amount of water, as the entire mixture will need to be injected into the cat's mouth using a syringe (without the needle, of course). As with the previous method, after administering the medication, close the animal's mouth and stimulate the swallowing reflex.

For those who don't want to over-think things, deworming drops, pastes, and suspensions are available. However, drops are recommended for preventative purposes only, as they have a less pronounced therapeutic effect. For a comprehensive treatment, especially in advanced cases, it's better to use tablets.

How to give a cat a deworming pill – watch the video instructions:

Prevention of worms

Preventative deworming of kittens and cats should be performed at least four times a year. For outdoor pets, the schedule can be more stringent. Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is crucial. Here are some tips for preventing worms in cats:

1. A simple rule such as washing your hands after contact with an animal is a good way to prevent accidental infection.
2. Also, avoid allowing your cat to lick your face, especially your lips. This also applies to kissing your pet's nose.
3. The cat litter box should be changed frequently. It's also a good idea to clean and disinfect it occasionally.
4. Do not give your cat raw food, especially meat and fish!
5. If there are several cats in the house, deworming medication will need to be given to all of them, and this must be done at the same time.

Following simple preventative measures significantly reduces the risk of infection in cats and, consequently, in humans.

If you have any questions about treating worms in cats, please leave a comment and we'll do our best to answer them!

Read also:

• Cestal for cats
• How to deworm a cat at home
• EX-5 for cats