Worms & Tapeworms in Cats

At one point or another during any cat's life, some type of worm may be present. Worms are a type of parasite that feed off a host. Unfortunately, these worms can be spread between pets and their human companions, so it is important that all cats that may be infected are taken to a veterinarian for immediate treatment.

  1. Types

    • Tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms are gastrointestinal parasites that can affect a cat. There are also heartworms, a more serious type of parasite that can severely harm a cat's health. In addition to these more well-known worms, there are also other types that can affect a cat, such as giant kidney worms, whipworms and eye worms. These, though, aren't nearly as common.

    Symptoms

    • Cats infected by worms may display varying symptoms, depending on the type of worm present. For example, a feline with a severe tapeworm infection may suffer from nervousness, vomiting and abdominal discomfort. Hookworms may cause anemia, pale gums, weakness and dark stools. Meanwhile, roundworms and whipworms may not produce any signs of infection in a cat.

    Diagnosis

    • Fortunately, worms are such a common issue with cats that veterinarians regularly check for their presence with a fecal exam. A fecal exam is a microscopic examination of the affected cat's stool. These exams check for tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms, but they can also detect other health issues, such as a Giardia bacterial infection.

    Treatment

    • Wormers, also known as dewormers, are a popular method of treatment for cats suffering from worm infestation. These medications are only administered once while the cat is at the veterinarian's office. However, some types of worms or more severe infestations may require additional treatments, which will require the cat to see the veterinarian for a second treatment in about two to four weeks, depending on the type of dewormer medication used.

    Prognosis

    • Fortunately, worms are so common and so easily treated that the prognosis for a majority of cats is excellent. With treatment, these cats can live happy, healthy lives. However, cats that have autoimmune diseases or other health issues may require hospitalization, as the worms take advantage of these situations and cause serious disease and health issues.