Internal Parasites [Cats]

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http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/people/TabathaHoltz/cats/medical/worms.html

 

Internal Parasites

( " worms " )

 

This is a brief summary of the major groups of internal parasites

encountered in our pets and their significant clinical and public

health concerns.

 

A microscopic assessment is made of a fresh stool sample (within 24

hours). There may be more than one species of parasite present

therefore the treatment regimen will vary depending on the species

involved. There is no single " wormer " effective against all the

different parasites. An examination for internal parasites in kittens

should be done early since many of these parasites are transmitted

from mother to offspring and thus have their effect on the very young.

Early detection and treatment will enable the kitten to grow to its

fullest potential while minimizing the health risks to humans. Repeat

stool checks are recommended through the first year and then annually

for all adult pets who have access to other animals or to the outdoor

environment.

 

* Roundworms

* Hookworms

* Whipworms

* Tapeworms

* Coccidia

 

ROUNDWORMS:

Roundworms (Toxacara, Toxascaris spp.) are the most common internal

parasites found in pets. Typical clinical signs include pot-bellied

appearance, poor growth, and possibly diarrhea. Cats continue to be

susceptible to infection throughout their life whereas some dogs

develop a resistance. In pregnant animals, dormant larvae are

stimulated to migrate to the uterus and mammary glands and thus

apparently healthy mothers can produce heavily parasitized young.

 

Adults become re-infected from exposure to parasite eggs in the soil,

from hunting infected wildlife, or from the breakdown of their natural

immunity.

 

Rarely, children consuming soil contaminated with large numbers of

Toxacara eggs may develop a syndrome known as " Visceral Larva

Migrans " . Unfortunately little information is available to identify

the factors that increase the risks of developing the disease. Regular

examination and treatment of infected animals and efforts by owners to

stoop-n-scoop are recommended to limit this potential source of

infection to our children.

 

HOOKWORMS:

Hookworms (Uncinaria, Ancylostoma spp.) can infect our pets at any age

but are particularly life-threatening to the very young. Hookworms

latch onto the intestinal wall and live on blood, contributing to

signs of anemia, weakness, wasting and bloody diarrhea. The nursing

young may die due to blood loss and shock with heavy infections.

 

Natural infections occur through eating contaminated soil, or by

infective larvae burrowing into the skin of the paw, or through the

milk of an infected mother.

 

Human infection may occur when the larvae in contaminated soil

penetrate the skin. " Cutaneous Larva Migrans " or " Creeping Eruption "

is extremely irritating.

 

WHIPWORMS:

Whipworm infection (Trichuriasis) is contracted by direct ingestion of

eggs in contaminated food or soil. All ages may be easily affected

with the cardinal signs being poor condition or performance.

 

Whipworm eggs are remarkably durable and although they may take up to

eight weeks to reach the infective stage, they can resist freezing and

remain alive in the environment for years.

 

TAPEWORMS:

Adult tapeworms (Dipylidium, Taenia, Echinococcus spp.) are found

anchored to the wall of the small intestine by hooks or suckers. These

parasites use an intermediate host (a " middleman " ) for part of its

development. The final host (cat) then eats the contaminated prey and

the tapeworm then is able to complete its life cycle.

 

With Dipylidium spp., cats become infected when they ingest fleas or

biting lice carrying the larval form of the tapeworm. This tapeworm

requires only two to three weeks to develop to an adult so unless

fleas and lice are quickly brought under control, re-infection occurs

rapidly.

 

Taenia spp. use a variety of small rodents and rabbits as their

intermediate hosts. Cats become infected when they hunt these vertebrates.

 

Animals do not develop resistance to tapeworms and are readily

reinfected. The worms shed segments intermittently and may be found in

the feces, in the fur or even on furniture, carpets, or clothing.

 

Although rare in North America, Echinococcus tapeworms can infect

humans and cause a variety of chronic and debilitating diseases.

 

COCCIDIA:

" Coccidia " a general term used to describe a number of single-celled

Protozoan parasites that colonize the gut wall. Coccidian oocysts

(eggs) are not shed constantly and there is a tendency for older

asymptomatic pets to shed small numbers, perhaps periodically or under

stress, so that they serve as chronic carriers.

 

Affected animals may exhibit profuse bloody diarrhea, straining, loss

of condition or they may be apparently healthy. Some recovered animals

may suffer repeated relapses which generally respond well to treatment

and supportive therapy.

 

[Cats]