Cat Skin Tapeworm Symptoms

Tapeworms, also called cestodes, are transmitted to cats via fleas. When a cat digests an infected flea, the tapeworm's eggs are released into its digestive tract. Once the eggs hatch, the worms attach themselves to the walls of the cat's intestines. When the tapeworms mature, segments filled with eggs break off and pass out with the cat's feces. Tapeworm infection can compromise your cat's immune system, making it more susceptible to other health problems, particularly skin infections, according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Deworming medication is used to kill tapeworms, but flea control is an important part of preventing future infections, according to Vet Info.

  1. Itching and Biting

    • Since tapeworms are transmitted to your cat via fleas, itching and biting at the skin is often the first symptom of tapeworm infection, though the cause of the itching and biting is the fleas themselves. Ridding your cat of fleas is a good first step for preventing multiple tapeworm infections.

    Subtle Symptoms

    • Some cats will become anemic and will stop eating. Cats infected with tapeworms often become susceptible to other illnesses, according to the website Native Remedies. Often cats will show no symptoms of tapeworm infection, and diagnosis comes from a stool sample examination.

    Tapeworm Segments

    • In addition to a stool sample examination at the veterinarian, you might see evidence of tapeworms at home. Adult tapeworms will shed their egg-filled segments, and these will be excreted with your cat's feces. The segments look like grains of rice and can often be seen on the skin around the cat's anus, on its bed or in the litter box, according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

    Hot Spots

    • Cats infected with tapeworms and also infested with fleas can suffer worsened effects of the flea infestation because of their compromised immune systems, according to the website Cat Health. These cats are more likely to develop an allergy to flea saliva. This can lead to extreme discomfort and constant biting or scratching which can result in skin infections called hot spots.