Wire worms or barber pole worms are a very common parasite that normally infects ruminants such as sheep and cows. However, they also have been found to infect cats, especially those that live in close proximity to farm animals. the wire worms' eggs are secreted through the feces of the infected animal. After several stages of development, the infective larvae wait in the grass to be eaten by the next unsuspecting victim. Since cats are prone to wandering and constant cleaning, they easily pick up infective larvae on their fur and paws and ingest them while washing.
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Interesting Facts
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The wire worm got its nickname as the barber pole worm because its white ovaries are intertwined with its intestine that is red. This is due to the fact that the parasite is a blood feeder.
Life Cycle
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The adult female wire worm releases upward of 10,000 eggs a day, which are distributed when the infected animal defecates. The eggs will mature in the moist environment of the feces and hatch. The larvae become infective after four to six days of development. They crawl onto the blades of grass that the ruminant animals eat and wait to be ingested.
Development
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Cats are not usually prone to eating grass, but in the normal course of hunting and wandering, the infective larvae will become attached to their coats and paws. When the cat washes, the larvae are ingested and begin their invasion by shedding their protective protein layer and burrowing into the cat's stomach. They continue their development into pre-adults, which takes about 48 hours. Then they molt and become adults. The worms reside in the abdominal cavity until death, feeding on the cat's blood.
Symptoms of Infections
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Symptoms of a wire worm infection in a cat can include: lethargy, dehydration, diarrhea, dull eyes, generalized unhealthy appearance, unkempt coat and awkwardness of movement. Anemia associated with severe blood loss is also common. This can be ascertained by examining the mucous membranes, which are normally pink. Anemic cats will exhibit pale or white mucous membranes.
Treatment
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Treatment for wire worm infections is possible, but the results depend on when the infection is caught. The cat will receive a dewormer to rid it of the parasite and will receive supportive care such as IV fluids to reverse dehydration, antibiotics to cure or prevent secondary bacterial infections, and/ or blood transfusions to correct severe anemia. Cats on farms should be checked for wire worm infestations regularly to prevent unnecessary deaths.
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