Roundworms or Tapeworms in Cats

Roundworms and Tapeworms

• Roundworms are cream-colored parasites that grow to be 3 to 5 inches long and live in a cat's intestine. Female roundworms produce eggs that are passed in an infected cat's feces, which makes them very easy to spread and very hard to control. Roundworms are easily passed to humans and can be more harmful to a person than a cat. Tapeworms have long, flat bodies that resemble a ribbon or tape. A tapeworm's body consists of a small head connected to segments filled with eggs. Fully developed tapeworms live in the small intestine. As segments farthest from the head mature, they break off and pass through feces. Tapeworms are harder to pass from a cat to a human, but it is possible. Both roundworms and tapeworms feed off of the nutrient's in a cat's gastrointestinal tract. Both are contracted when a cat eats an affected rodent or other prey, or by ingesting infected fleas.

Signs of Infection

• Sometimes a cat will show no symptoms of having roundworms or tapeworms even if it is infected. Cats infected with roundworm can have a dull coat, sudden weight loss and vomiting. Sometimes roundworms will appear in a cat's vomit or feces as obvious worms, according to PetMD. Cats infected with tapeworm can have small, white rice-like remnants, or eggs, in their feces, according to PetEducation.com. Sometimes wiggling white remnants can be seen around the cat's anus.

Health Consequences

• Roundworms and tapeworms grow by taking nutrients from the intestines of their hosts. These nutrients would otherwise be absorbed by the cat. To make up for a nutrient deficiency, an infected cat can begin to eat more than usual to try and compensate for the loss of these nutrients, according to PetEducation.com. As a result, the cat can experience a variety of symptoms, including a dull coat, diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss. However, most cats can experience minimal health problems if the worms are treated properly by a veterinarian.

Potential Problems

• Roundworm infections are most dangerous in kittens, which can die if left untreated. Roundworms also become life-threatening if their numbers are so great that an intestinal blockage occurs in its host. However, Cornell University reports that roundworm infections are fairly benign in comparison with other parasites. On the other hand, if a cat remains infected with tapeworm, it can lose weight because of a nutrient deficiency. Once this occurs, the cat can also develop much more serious conditions such as feline heart disease. Weight loss is also a symptom of conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic renal failure and cancer, according to VetInfo. In extreme cases, cats can experience blood loss where these worms attach to their intestines.

Treatment

• Owners are encouraged to keep their cats' living areas clean and prevent their pets from eating rodents or attracting fleas. Tips include cleaning your cat's litter box daily; washing the litter box with a disinfectant such as diluted household bleach on a regular basis; avoiding feeding a cat raw meat; and controlling intermediate hosts by administering regular flea control. Cornell University's veterinary department recommends that kittens be treated for roundworms every two weeks between 3 and 9 weeks of age and then receive a preventive treatment monthly. Many heartworm medications target roundworms. Tapeworm treatment can require one or more doses of a medication prescribed by a veterinarian, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council.