A roundworm is a parasite and a common health concern for pets, especially cats. It thrives in the digestive system of the animal, feeding off the food the animal consumes. There are two types of roundworm that can affect felines: toxocara cati and toxascaris leonina, the latter of which can infect dogs as well. There are a number of effective treatments for roundworm in felines.
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Transmission and Symptoms
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Roundworms are transmitted via the consumption of the parasite, which can be found on rodents and in the environment, such as soil and the feces of another infected animal. In kittens the roundworm larvae can be transmitted via the mother's milk.
Most roundworm infections do not present with symptoms; however, if the infection becomes severe, common symptoms include: weight loss, a distended belly that looks like a "pot belly," diarrhea and vomiting. At times the worms may be present in the vomit and can reach a length of up seven inches.
Treatment
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Treatment for roundworm is readily available in both over-the-counter and prescription form, and can include ingredients such as pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole and selamectin. Piperazine is one of the main ingredients in many over-the-counter roundworm medications. Most treatments work over the course of a month, though follow up deworming treatments for the next two or three months are often necessary to eliminate all the worms and larvae from the cat's body. You can buy roundworm treatment as a pill or as a liquid form.
Deworming medication works by causing the worm to release its vice-like grip on the feline's intestines, where it is then passed through its system and released in the stool where it dies. Worms will be present in your animal's feces and may still be alive and quite long. This is normal and you should not be alarmed.
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