Despite our best efforts, cats can become ill, especially when parasitic worms are involved. Knowing the signs and symptoms of some of the most common parasitic worm infestations can help you find the right treatment and possibly save the cat's life. As with any condition regarding your cat's health, seek the advice of a veterinarian for proper treatment if you suspect the cat has worms.
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Identification
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Several worms can infect your cat, even if it is an indoors cat--roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and tapeworm. Roundworm has a milky-white color that is somewhat translucent. Tapeworms are segmented, flat worms that are a bright white. Whipworms and hookworms are too small for you to see and can be detected only with specific tests by a veterinarian.
Roundworm
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Roundworm larvae are often passed from mother cat to kitten in the milk, and adult cats can acquire the pest by being exposed to areas frequented by other cats (or infected animals like dogs). Roundworms lodge in the intestines, lay their eggs and the larvae are introduced into the bloodstream, where they can lodge in the lungs or heart. When the worms lodge in the lungs, the cat may retch or cough them up and accidentally swallow them, thus introducing a new generation into the intestines.
Some signs of roundworm include defecating in unusual places, loose stool, weight loss, retching and coughing, weight loss, worms visible in vomit or stool and loss of appetite (due to worms blocking a portion of the intestines).
Tapeworm
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Tapeworm lodge in the intestines and feed off of the nutrients broken down by the intestine. When a juvenile tapeworm lodges in the intestinal tract, it buries its head in the lining of the intestine and begins to grow segments. Segments can sometimes detach, carrying eggs further into the intestine (or out of the digestive tract all together). These additional eggs hatch and lodge in intestines, and repeat the process.
Some of the signs of a tapeworm infestation are ravenous hunger with no weight gain or weight loss, detached worm segments in the fur around the anus or in the stool (they look like grains of rice) or several still-attached segments of the worm protruding from the anus.
Other worms
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Whipworms and hookworms are less common, but can be acquired, especially if infected dogs are nearby. Cats are commonly infected through contact with infested fecal matter. Also, it is possible for the mother to pass whipworms to the kitten in utero. Whipworms cause mucus-covered stools and digestive problems. Watch for defecating outside the litter box, soft stool, diarrhea and vomiting. Hookworms can cause anemial. Check the gums and ears; they should be a healthy red-pink. If they are white or pale, it is a fair indicator of anemia. Listlessness, bloody stool, diarrhea and poor stamina are signs of hookworm infestation.
Prevention/Solution
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Though it is virtually impossible to prevent worm infestations, especially roundworm, you can treat worm infestations. Several over-the-counter medications are aimed at stopping the cycles of roundworm infestation and breeding. For the other worms, however, there are no effective over-the-counter medications and a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Follow the dosing guide and complete the regimen of medication as directed. Failure to do so will result in a relapse of symptoms that may require stronger and more expensive medication.
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