Symptoms and Treatment of Parasitic Worms in Cats

Parasitic worms can be a serious problem in cats, particularly for young and very old cats. Intestinal worms can be spread to humans and cause more serious problems. Cats should be checked for internal parasites at least twice a year, more often for cats kept outside. Cats with flea infestations and those that hunt even mice are particularly vulnerable because worm eggs can be ingested with fleas or prey.

  1. Types

    • Roundworms and tapeworms are the most common type of worms found in cats. These parasites are very different from one another. Both the worms are excreted in the cat's feces, but in different forms. Roundworms are microscopic, while tapeworms are released as visible segments that detach from the worm and may cling to the cat's anus.

    Roundworm Infection Symptoms

    • The most common symptom of roundworms is diarrhea, although some cats may have no signs at all. Other symptoms are poor appetite, lethargy, coughing and protrusion of the abdomen.

    Tapeworm Infection Symptoms

    • Most animals infected with tapeworm have no noticeable symptoms of illness, so you must watch your cat. There will be anal irritation, your pet may drag its behind against a carpet to help scratch the itchy irritation in the anus and bits of worm may be visible around the anus or in feces. Rarely, diarrhea and intestinal obstruction may occur.

    Diagnosis

    • Your veterinarian can diagnose parasites by examining a stool sample from your cat. Because of the risk of humans becoming infected, be careful while caring for your cat and retrieving stool samples for your veterinarian. You may need more than one stool sample if the parasite is hard to diagnose.

    Treatment

    • Treatment usually consists of oral medication. This treatment may be less or more intensive depending on the type of parasitic worm that is being treated. Some worms, such as hookworms, have high re-infestation rates.