Hookworm Wormer for Cats

Hookworms are small, internal parasites that infect the digestive system of cats. Hookworms attach themselves to the lining of the digestive tract and feed on the blood of the host cat. This can causes anemia and inflammation of the bowel. Hookworm infestation can be fatal, especially in young kittens and debilitated adult cats, and can be transmitted from cat to cat through contact with infected feces.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of hookworm infection include lesions on the pads. Hookworms also can infect the lungs, causing coughing and respiratory distress. More commonly, bloody or tarry stools, diarrhea or constipation, unkempt appearance, thinness, anorexia, and pale mucous membranes are seen.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosis occurs through a microscopic examination of the infected cat's feces. The adult worms themselves are not expelled through the digestive process, but the eggs are. Hookworm eggs are generally light brown in color and are oval shaped.

    Pyrantel Pamoate

    • Treatment for hookworms involves the administration of an anthelmintic, or adulticide. Pyrantel pamoate is a good general deworming medication that can be used safely in cats and kittens over the age of 3 weeks. Pregnant female cats should be regularly wormed throughout their pregnancy to avoid transmitting hookworms to their kittens while nursing. Cats or kittens that have severe infections should be hospitalized and receive supportive care including intravenous or subcutaneous fluids, nutritional supplements, and supplemental oxygen if lung infection is suspected.

    Fenbendazole

    • Fenbendazole is another drug that can be used to worm cats with hookworm infections. Fenbendazole is generally administered over a period of several days to ensure that all worms are eliminated. Preventative dosing can occur monthly.

    Heartgard

    • Hookworm infection also can be prevented with the use of monthly heartworm preventative medications such as Heartgard. Heartgard is dosed as an once-a-month oral medication that utilizes ivermectin to prevent heartworm disease as well as controlling hookworms, whipworms and roundworms through the use of pyrantel pamoate.