Worms and Blindness in Cats

Cats can be a valued member of the family, and as such you want to keep them healthy. Worms are a common problem in cats--in fact, there are four types of worms that cats can become infected with. Cats can also become blind just as humans can--they can suffer from partial blindness or full blindness. Depending on the cause, blindness in cats may be reversible. Regular visits to a veterinarian can help detect problems in cats early on when they are easier to treat.

  1. Types of Worms

    • Roundworms are the most common type of worms found in cats. Cats can also become infected with tapeworms, hookworms and heart worms.

    Symptoms

    • Common symptoms of worms include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, coughing, trouble defecating, bloating and difficulty breathing.

    Treatment

    • Most cats will catch some type of worms in their lifetime. Worms are easily treated by a veterinarian, and cats should be checked for worms every six months if possible.

    Prevention

    • To prevent your cat from getting worms, make sure feces is disposed of regularly and your cat is kept flea-free. Most cats will catch some type of worms in their lifetime, making it important that you have your cat checked every six months for worms and fleas.

    Causes of Blindness

    • Cats can be born blind or can become blind for a variety of reasons. Causes of blindness include untreated eye infections, trauma to the eyes, cancer, glaucoma, cataracts, inflammation in the eye and tumors.

    Signs of Vision Problems

    • It can be difficult to tell whether a cat is losing its vision, but there are some signs to look out for. Cats might start to become clumsy or disorientated, they may misjudge distances and start bumping into things, or they may act confused in new environments. A cat's eyes may also become cloudy or inflamed, and the cat may also start to squint.

    Prevention

    • Cats' eyes should be examined regularly, and if there are any signs of infection, such a discoloration, or if the eye becomes cloudy, a cat should be taken to a veterinarian. Regular checkups at a veterinarian should catch any problems early on and maintain a cat's health.