Untreated Tapeworm

It's not unusual for cats and dogs to become infected with tapeworm, but outdoor cats are especially susceptible to these gastrointestinal parasites. Fleas and rodents first get infected by eating tapeworm eggs in their environment, then cats in turn get infected by ingesting those fleas while grooming or by eating infected rodents. While tapeworm infection isn't as serious as some parasite diseases, it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

  1. What Is a Tapeworm?

    • Tapeworms are tiny parasites with long, flattened bodies whose eggs are easily transmitted between hosts, usually by unintentional ingestion. Tapeworms grow in segments stemming from its neck, and each segment has its own digestive and reproductive system. As each segment feeds off of the nutrients passed through the cat's digestive tract, the tapeworm continues to grow. As the worm matures the older segments will fall away and be passed through the cat's system and out from the anus.

    Signs of Infection

    • Cats that are infected with tapeworm often have small, white rice-like remnants, or eggs, in their feces, according to the VetInfo website. Sometimes, wiggling white remnants can be seen coming from the cat's anus. The presence of eggs in your home is a clear sign your cat has tapeworm. Eggs can be found in your cat's litter box, its bed, carpeting and furniture. If not removed, the eggs will probably be ingested by your cat again, and the life cycle of the tapeworm will start all over again.

    Health Consequences

    • Tapeworms thrive by taking nutrients from the small intestine of its host. These crucial nutrients would otherwise be broken down and absorbed by the cat. To make up for a nutrient deficiency, an infected cat will begin to eat more than usual to try and compensate for the loss of these nutrients, according to VetInfo. As a result, the cat can experience a variety of symptoms, including a dull coat, diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss.

    Potential Problems

    • If the cat remains infected with tapeworm long enough, it will start to 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 (IBD), chronic renal failure (CRF) and cancer, according to VetInfo. If your cat begins losing weight or displays any symptoms of infection, contact a veterinarian immediately.

    Treatment

    • According to Cornell University's veterinary department, tapeworm treatment can require one or more doses of a medication prescribed by a veterinarian. Since tapeworm reinfections are very common, it's important to practice cleanliness. Start by cleaning your cat's litter box daily; wash the litter box with a disinfectant such as diluted household bleach on a regular basis; avoid feeding your cat raw meats; and control intermediate hosts by administering regular flea control such as Frontline.