Worms and Internal Parasites in Cats

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(There is a lot more information about parasites in animals than there

is about parasites in humans. Reading about parasites in general will

broaden your education about parasites as most act similarly.)

 

 

 

 

http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=367

 

Worms and Internal Parasites in Cats

 

 

 

Cat Information > Cat Health > Worms and Internal Parasites in Cats

 

Worms and Internal Parasites in CatsThere are many different parasites

that cats can come in contact with and contract disease from. This

section will specifically discuss the internal parasites (worms and

protozoans).

 

Internal parasites are those that inhabit the intestine and internal

organs of the body. These are mostly the worm-type parasites:

Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms, Heartworm, Stomach Worms, Eyeworms

and Whipworms. Other internal parasites are the protozoans: Coccidia,

Toxoplasmosis, Giardia. Many animals, especially outdoor cats, will

become infected with a parasite or two in their lifetime (and many of

these infected animals show no symptoms of illness). Thus most vets

recommend examining for parasites once a year (more often for an

outdoor cat). This can be done by taking a stool sample to your vet.

Also note that roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms are all

contagious to humans so if you suspect your cat of having such

parasites take him/her to the vet immediately to rid your cat of the

problem as fast as possible and to protect your family and other pets

from infection.

 

Roundworms are the most common type of parasite seen in felines. Many

kittens contract roundworm at birth, either via the mother's

bloodstream in utero or via nursing. Older cats can be infected by

ingesting eggs or eating rodents that are infected with roundworm

larvae. Symptoms caused by roundworm are usually distended abdomen and

diarrhea. In severe cases the parasite load can become so large that

the intestines can actually become obstructed. Roundworms are 3-5

inches long, live in the intestine of your cat, and can usually be

seen in your pet's feces or vomit (they look like a little spaghetti).

Treatment for roundworm usually requires several treatments before the

parasite is fully extracted. Roundworms can also lay thousands of eggs

which can be found in the litterbox and in your pet's bedding or

favorite areas. Thus you must clean your home to prevent reinfection.

Note that this parasite can cause serious disease to humans especially

children.

 

Hookworms are small blood-sucking worms that attach to the lining of

the small intestine. These parasites can cause severe anemia due to

their blood sucking ability. These worms are generally acquired by

eating a rodent infected with hookworm larvae or ingesting hookworm

larvae directly. These larvae can also penetrate the skin to enter the

bloodstream and then travel to the intestines. Symptoms caused by

hookworm are usually lethargy, diarrhea (or dark stools due to blood

in the stool), weakness and vomiting. Hookworms are about 1/2 inch

long, slim and thread-like. As they are very small one usually can not

see them in the feces (however they are easily seen in a fecal exam).

As larvae is usually spread through feces, prompt cleaning of

litterboxes and removal of feces is key to stopping the spread.

Hookworm larvae can also penetrate the skin of humans and cause a

dermatitis (skin irritation).

 

Tapeworms are another common parasite. Tapeworms attach themselves to

the intestinal wall and look like ribbons (long, flat and segmented).

They are generally contracted through flea infestation in which a flea

with a tapeworm is ingested by your pet (thus controlling flea

infestation in your pet can also help control contracting tapeworm).

Cats can also contract tapeworm by eating uncooked meat or prey

(rodents). Symptoms of tapeworm are usually very mild in nature. Most

often you will see a cats itching his/her anus or 'scooting' on a rug

when the worms pass through the anus. If your cat has a tapeworm you

may be able to see small eggs (they look like small seeds or white

rice) moving in places that your cat likes to hang out such as his/her

bed, in your cat's feces, or actually on your cat's anus. Although

rare (as it requires the ingestion of an infected flea), children can

get tapeworm.

 

Stomach Worms are generally contracted through eating bugs and other

insects who are infected with stomach worms, eating a mouse or other

prey who has eaten an infected insect, or by eating the infected vomit

of other cats. Symptoms include chronic vomiting, loss of appetite,

and weight loss/malnutrition. Note that some cats may show no symptoms

at all. These worms usually resemble small roundworms, live in the

stomach, and feed off of nutrients as they pass through the stomach.

 

Eyeworms are small pests (about 1/2 inch long) that infect tear ducts,

the lining of the eye (conjunctiva), and under the eye lids. This is

not a common disease in cats overall, and is more prevalent on the

west coast than the east coast. Symptoms include excessive tearing,

conjunctivitis, and even light sensitivity. Eyeworms are generally

transmitted by flies and can be treated through topical anesthetic to

the eye or even manual removal using tweezers (do not try this at home

- this can and should be done by your vet).

 

Heartworm is a newer disease to cats, but a nasty disease

none-the-less. Heartworm disease is usually contracted through a

mosquito bite. Thus cats in hot, humid areas of the country where

there are lots of mosquitos are at the highest risk. So how does a cat

get heartworm? When a cat has heartworm the worms inside the cat's

body produce 'babies' called microfilarias. The microfilarias then

circulate through the animal's bloodstream and thus can be picked up

by a mosquito feeding on that cat's blood. Upon biting another cat

that same mosquito can then transmit the microfilaria to a new cat.

These heartworms then travel to the heart and pulmonary vessels where

they then grow, mature, and live. It used to be thought that only

outdoor cats could contract heartworm. However, as mosquitos can be

found inside and outside of the home, we now know this not to be the

case. Some studies also show that cats can acquire immunity to

heartworm through successive mosquitos bites. Indoor cats, as they

come in contact with mosquitos less often, usually have no such

immunity. There currently is no treatment or cure for heartworm so the

best thing you can do for your cat is prevention. There are many new

medications available for heartworm. Talk to your vet about this if

you think your pet may be as risk.

 

Whipworms live in the intestines and feed by sucking blood through the

lining of the large intestine. Symptoms include chronic diarrhea,

anemia and weight loss. Whipworm eggs can usually be seen in the feces

and can live outside of the cat (in feces) for an extended period of

time. Thus cleaning the litterbox and other areas of your home after

an infestation is key. Whipworms are rarely seen in cats, usually they

are only seen in dogs. It is controversial as to whether or not this

type of worm can infect humans.

 

Protozoans are single celled organisms. The most common diseases

caused by protozoans include Coccidia, Toxoplasmosis and Giardia.

 

Coccidia are protozoan parasites that live in the cells of the

intestinal lining. Cats usually become infected with coccidia by

encountering the stool of other infected cats. Such stool usually

contains oocysts or immature coccidia. These cysts mature and if

another cat ingests these cysts the new cat becomes infected. Symptoms

of coccidia are usually diarrhea, dehydration, and vomiting. If your

cat has/had coccidia you will also want to disinfect your home with a

diluted bleach solution to kill any cysts that may still be present in

the environment. You can also help stop the spread of coccidia by

keeping a clean litterbox and removing any fecal material in the box

promptly. Such cysts can survive in the environment and keep

re-infecting your cats for a long time to come. The most common

coccidia does not affect people. However there are some rare forms of

coccidia which can infect humans, but these are rare.

 

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasitic protozoan called Toxoplasma

gondii. Infection by Toxoplasma gondii is fairly common, however we

rarely see disease caused by this parasite (generally disease is see

in kittens, the old, and immuno-compromised animals). The parasite is

seen in three different forms: cyst, oocyst or tachyzoite. Most

felines get toxoplasmosis from meat that is raw or contaminated with

any of the three stages of parasite. When a cat ingests meat (raw

meat, a rodent, other prey) that is infected with the parasite, the

parasite moves to the wall of the small intestine where it will grow

and mature. At this point the cat will excrete oocysts (in high

numbers) in his/her feces. These oocysts are infective to other

animals and humans. Pregnant mothers need to be extra careful of

contracting toxoplasmosis as it can cause birth defects in the unborn

child - the best prevention is not to handle feces while pregnant.

These oocysts are very resistant to environmental conditions and can

survive in the environment for months. Thus proper cleaning and

disinfection is important. Note that the parasite can also spread from

the intestine to other areas of the body (liver, pancreas, nervous

system etc.) In most cases the cat's immune system fights off the

parasite and thus no symptoms are seen. These cysts can simply remain

dormant in the cat's body for the lifespan of the cat (the cat does

not shed oocysts into the environment at this time). If symptoms are

see they can include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, or respiratory

distress.

 

Giardia is a parasitic infection of the small intestines. Most cats

contract giardia by drinking contaminated water. This problem is most

often seen in outdoor cats who drink 'dirty water'. There are two

forms of giardia, trophozoites and cysts. Trophozoites are the form

that live in the intestines of the infected cat. While cysts are the

form that is shed into the environment by the infected cat. These

cysts are very resistent and can remain in the environment for months

if affected areas are not appropriately cleaned (through

disinfectants). Improper cleaning can be responsible for re-infection.

Symptoms of giardia include diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, bloating,

lethargy, weight loss. It is unclear as to whether or not giardia can

infect humans.

Symptoms to look for:

 

- Diarrhea

- Pot-belly appearance

- Lethargy

- Vomiting

- Huge appetite/Poor appetite

- Weight loss (despite large appetite)

- Anemia

- Poor coat appearance

- Redness, discharge of the eye (for eyeworms only)

Treatment:

 

If you suspect that your cat has any sort of parasite take him/her to

the vet. Your vet will perform blood tests, fecal examination and/or

other diagnostic tests to determine what type of disease or parasite

the cat has. Most parasites are fairly easily treatable with

medications and drug therapy. And remember parasites can lay thousands

of eggs in your home so make sure to thoroughly clean your house if

your pet has been infected. This will protect your pet from getting

reinfected.

 

Currently there is no known cure for heartworm. This is because when

heartworms die they must pass through the pulmonary arteries which

causes the possibility of arterial blockage and death. So the best

course of action to date is prevention. If your cat does have

heartworm the best thing to do is to treat the symptoms and to hope

that the cat outlives the worm as killing the heartworm can be very

dangerous to the feline.

Precautionary measures:

 

Many kittens are born with worms and thus may need several dewormings

during the first months of life. If you have a cat who has had kittens

or you have adopted abandoned kittens make sure to talk to your vet

about deworming and other necessary vaccinations. For more information

on kitten development and when kittens need dewormed

 

For adults most internal parasites are contracted by eating uncooked

food, infected food, dirty/contaminated water, or dirty litterbox

conditions. Thus make sure your cat eats a healthy diet and eats out

of clean water and food bowls at all times. Also keep your cat's

litter box clean and free from any potential bacteria or parasites,

and dispose of excrements on a regular basis. If you have an outdoor

cat you may want to talk to your vet about preventative steps that you

can take to keep your cat healthy. And anytime you introduce a new

cat, especially a kitten, into your home make sure to take him/her to

the vet for a full examination first. This way the new cat will not

unknowingly pass any diseases to your current pets.

 

Article submitted by: © 21cats.org (Biography & Additional Information)