What Are Worms in Cats?
Worms in cats are internal parasites that can cause significant havoc on their health. These intestinal invaders, such as roundworms, tapeworms, and lungworms, are often found in kittens but can affect adult cats as well. These worms can be quite upsetting for pet owners, especially when noticing segments of tapeworms in the stool. The most common of these parasites is roundworm, which has a high prevalence rate of up to 45% in the United States.
These worms can grow long and flat, attaching to the gut and disrupting normal gastrointestinal (GI) function. In more severe cases, they can lead to a medical emergency if not treated properly. The eggs of these parasites can be easily ingested, further contributing to the infestation. With proper diagnosis and treatment, these parasites can be effectively eliminated, restoring the cat’s health.
What are the signs and symptoms of worms in cats?
- Pot-bellied appearance: This is often accompanied by diarrhea or soft stool, indicating an upset digestive system and a rounded potbelly, a clear sign of worm infestations.
- Thin body condition: Despite an increased appetite, the cat may still experience weight loss, as parasites like roundworms or hookworms prevent proper nutrient absorption and lead to an unhealthy abdomen
- Vomiting: A common symptom, and in severe cases, whole worms or tapeworm segments may be found in the vomit or stool. You may also notice the visible presence of worm eggs in the vomit.
- Dull hair coat: The parasites affect the cat’s ability to maintain a healthy coat, leading to a lackluster appearance and a general unhealthy appearance.
- Pale gums: This can be a sign of anemia, often caused by worms interfering with the cat’s nourishment, leaving the gums pink or white.
- Unhealthy appearance: Cats may show signs of dehydration and lack of overall well-being due to worm infestations, leaving them looking sickly.
- Coughing: As worms migrate to the lungs, cats may develop a persistent cough or other respiratory issues, which can be uncomfortable for them.
- Trouble breathing: If the worms are affecting the lungs, the cat may have difficulty breathing, leading to distress and requiring animal care.
- Dark stool or tarry stool with blood: Changes in bowel movements, such as dark stool or tarry stool with blood, can indicate that worms are causing damage to the gut, leading to the presence of worm eggs in the stool.
- Itchy bottom: If a cat is constantly scratching its bottom, it may indicate tapeworms, which cause itching around the anus and are associated with the migration of the worms.
- Frequent vomiting: Frequent vomiting may occur due to the presence of worms in the digestive system, which causes irritation and further vomiting.
Regular deworming is crucial to maintain your cat’s health and ensure proper nutrition to avoid these parasites and the related symptoms. Always consult with a veterinarian for the best approach to animal care.
Most Common Types of Worms in Cats
The most common types of worms found in cats are gastrointestinal worms, which include:
Roundworms: Roundworms are a common type of intestinal parasite found in cats, especially kittens. These worms are visible to the naked eye and can look like spaghetti noodles in the stool, which may also appear cream-colored. They can grow as long as 3-6 inches and can be seen moving in the feces or vomit of an infected cat.
The infection starts when a cat ingests eggs from contaminated food or feces, and these eggs hatch into larvae in the gastrointestinal tract, stealing nutrients from the food the cat eats. Roundworms are highly contagious, with up to 25% of cats being affected, and they can cause serious health issues if left untreated, as they continue to move, growing long and stealing nutrients from the cat. The parasites lay more eggs that get shed in the poop, ready to infect other animals or humans who come into contact with it.
Hookworms: Hookworms are small, internal parasites that can be dangerous for cats. These small worms, usually around 1 inch in length, possess hook-shaped teeth that help them cling to the inside of the intestine. Once attached, they begin their aggressive bloodsucking behavior, feeding on the cat’s blood and causing serious health issues like anemia.
This condition can make the cat weak with pale gums and low energy. Cats usually contract hookworms by ingesting larvae from contaminated food or water, or when the larvae penetrate the skin. Mother cats can also pass them to their kittens in utero.
As the worms grow, they can travel from the intestines to the lungs, causing even more damage. Though less common, the possibility of visible signs like whitish strings or tiny worms in the stool exists. The worms can also cause bleeding in the intestines, which is harmful and can be difficult to detect with the naked eye.
Whipworm: Whipworm infections are rare, but they can be serious for cats. These parasites are typically picked up when a cat swallows eggs from contaminated food, water, soil, or feces that are already infected. The eggs can remain alive in the environment for up to 5 years, which means your cat could still become infected even after a long period.
Once the eggs are inside the cat’s body, they begin to mature in about 11 weeks and can grow to a length of 2 to 3 inches. These whipworms have a unique shape, with a thicker end and a thinner end, resembling a whip. If left untreated, these parasites can cause significant intestinal issues, leading to weight loss, bloody diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
Whipworm infections are typically diagnosed by a vet through examining the stool under a microscope, which helps identify the parasites. Infected cats can survive with the infection for up to 16 months inside the host if not treated promptly.
Tapeworms: Tapeworms are internal parasites that often go unnoticed in cats. These flat, ribbon-like worms live in the intestine, where they grow and form segments. The segments appear like grains of rice or sesame seeds in the cat’s stool and can sometimes be seen near the anus or stuck to the fur.
Cats can contract tapeworms by ingesting eggs from an infested flea while grooming. These worms mature and break off into pieces that are expelled in the feces. Cats can also get infected by consuming a bird or rodent that carries tapeworm eggs inside their body. A fecal examination will help diagnose whether your cat is infected, especially in kittens.
Stomach worms: Stomach worms are a common issue in cats, particularly in free-roaming and multi-cat households. These parasites can be transmitted when a cat comes in contact with infected cats or consumes contaminated food.
The symptoms of stomach worms in cats often include chronic vomiting, noticeable weight loss, and a lack of appetite, which can eventually result in malnutrition if left untreated. While some cats may remain asymptomatic, others show clear symptoms. Fortunately, these worms are treatable, and with proper care, your cat can recover easily. Watching out for vomit and changes in behavior is key to catching the issue early.
Bladder worms: Bladder worms are common in cats, but they are rarely noticed as they often show no clear clinical signs. Even when severely infected, many cats do not display noticeable symptoms. If left unchecked, these parasites can lead to serious urinary tract infections and other diseases. In some cases, the worms may be expelled in the urine, though many owners may miss this subtle sign.
Liver flukes: Liver flukes are parasitic worms that can infect cats when they ingest secondary hosts like land snails, frogs, or lizards. These hosts carry the flukes to the cat’s small intestine, liver, bile duct, and pancreatic duct, where they cause damage. Water in warm subtropical areas like Florida and Hawaii plays a key role in the spread of these infections. Cats become infected through the ingestion of these intermediate hosts in the natural environment, which makes it important for cat owners in these areas to be cautious.
How do cats get worms?
Cats can contract worms in several ways. One of the main ways is by ingesting feces from an infected host, like dogs. Cats also pick up worms through fleas grooming their fur or by swallowing fleas that carry worms. If a cat hunts rodents, birds, or reptiles, they can become infected with types of worms passed on by these animals. Additionally, feces from a dog or an infected host in the environment is another common way that worms are passed on
Are worms painful for cats?
Worms can cause very painful symptoms for cats. When they have heavy parasite loads, it can lead to gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping. The worms and their larvae can travel through the cat’s body, affecting internal organs and tissues, causing inflammation and discomfort. This can make the cat feel unwell and worsen gastrointestinal symptoms over time. These related issues may cause further distress for the cat as they continue to battle these painful conditions.
Treatment and Deworming Cats
Treatment and Deworming CatsWhen cats get worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, or tapeworms, it’s important to get them treated quickly. Fortunately, these worms are treatable with the right medication prescribed by a veterinarian. The treatment options include oral medications, topical medications, or even injectable formulations. Depending on the type of worms and how severe the infestation is, your veterinarian might suggest a single treatment or multiple dosages over a specific period. It’s crucial to follow the strict schedule given by the veterinarian to ensure the worms are completely gone and do not return.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Worms in Cats?
When a cat shows signs of a worm problem, it’s important for a veterinarian to determine the exact type of parasite causing the issue. During a physical exam, the vet will check the cat’s health and observe any symptoms that could indicate a parasite.
The next step typically involves fecal testing. A stool sample is collected from the cat’s feces and placed on a slide for examination under a microscope. This helps the veterinarian to identify parasite eggs and determine the type of worm, such as hookworms or lungworms, and begin appropriate treatment.Based on the findings, the vet will prescribe the most effective dewormer or intestinal dewormers.
The treatment may be a single dose or a short course, depending on the stubborn nature of the parasite and its lifecycle. If necessary, follow-up care is essential, including a second fecal exam to confirm that the worms have been wiped out. This ensures the parasites are resolved and helps monitor the cycle of the treatment. In some cases, additional medication may be prescribed to fully eliminate any remaining eggs or parasites.
Prevention of Worms in Cats
Preventing worms in your cat requires a proactive approach to ensure the safety of your pet. Regular deworming is crucial, especially for kittens and newly adopted cats, who are more susceptible to tapeworm infections.
For both indoor and outdoor cats, using products like Revolution Plus provides year-round parasite prevention, tackling not just intestinal worms but also fleas and other pests. Remember, flea prevention can help reduce the risk of infections from fleas. It’s essential to clean the litter box regularly, keeping it fresh and clean, and always use gloves when cleaning to avoid exposure to harmful parasites.
Stool testing should be done twice a year to monitor your cat’s health, and wellness visits to the veterinarian help ensure the best prevention strategies are in place. Ensuring your cat is treated every few months helps reduce the burden of these harmful worms on your pet and protects both them and the humans in your household.
