Once you’re an owner of a cat, it is best to prepare yourself for a time when your cat is infected with intestinal worms. Many studies done on this very topic show that around 45% of all cats face a parasite infection throughout the course of their lives. The main reason behind this high level of occurrence is that the parasites are present almost everywhere, and cats can very easily catch them and therefore get infected.
However, there is always good news for our beloved cat owners. Even though your cat is highly likely to suffer from a parasite infection at some point, these worms can easily be treated by a professional veterinarian as the treatment regimens are now well-developed, effective and safe. Put all your worries aside and learn how to protect your pet or treat them in the near-future with the best cat dewormer.
How Cats Get Exposed to Worms
While the type of infestation is dependent upon the specie of the worm, almost all worms come in contact with the cats in the form of eggs or previously infected particles in litter. Most commonly, the cats would unknowingly step into the infected egg or feces and later ingest them while they groom themselves.
In other cases where the cats are let outdoors, they tend to hunt for different insects that may already have a worm living inside of them. When the cat swallows the hunted insect, it also swallows the ingested tissue, leading to the worm parasite growing in the intestines of the cat. Many cats also become infected with worms by consuming fleas carrying worm eggs or by being directly bitten by a worm that penetrates into their skin.
Types of Worms in Cats
While adult cats can be infected with a range of worms, kittens are likely to catch roundworms when they are fed by an already infected mother. Roundworms are amongst the most common kind of intestinal worm known to infect cats. This worm is spread by eating infected rodents or accidentally consuming litter that contained roundworm eggs. These roundworms grow to become as long as five inches and eat all the food that your cat is consuming.
Since all your cat’s food is stolen by these roundworms living inside the intestines, the cat is likely to become very weak and ill soon after being infected by the worm. The roundworms are also quick to produce eggs that are passed on through the feces of the cat, which makes it very easy to infect other cats as well.
Another type of worms that is common amongst cats is the tapeworm. Cat tapeworms tend to be long and flat in their appearance and have microscopic hook-like mouths that they use to attach themselves to your cat’s small intestine. Continuously feeding on the nutrients that are passing through the intestines, these tapeworms have the tendency to grow up to 20 inches long. As the worm becomes bigger and bigger, it begins shedding off old parts of itself and passes them through the feces of the cat.
In the most common scenario, cats would get tapeworms by eating fleas that are already infected. Most fleas are ingested by cats while they groom themselves, and this tiny tapeworm larvae can eventually grow into a full-sized, harmful worm. In an unlikely event, your cat could also get tapeworms by consuming certain small animals like a squirrel or mouse.
Many cats are also prone to getting hookworms. These unique worms are very small in size and resemble the appearance of long threads, making them very hard to notice. The most dangerous part about hookworms is that they attach themselves to the intestinal lining and continue to feed off of the cat’s blood without even being noticed. Cats can become infected by hookworms if the larvae is able to penetrate through their skin or if they accidently ingest a hookworm egg.
A less common type of cat worm is the whipworm, which is least common in Denmark. While these worms also make their way to the large intestine and use the cat’s nutrition to grow, they usually don’t cause a serious illness that needs to be treated.
How to Detect a Worm Infection
If your cat has intestinal worms, it is likely to start acting very differently than usual. Common symptoms of worm infections include persistent diarrhea, loss of appetite and continual vomiting. Depending on the specie of the worm and extent to which the worm has grown, symptoms tend to be different with your cat becoming weaker as the infestation becomes stronger.
Tapeworms and whipworms are unlikely to cause noticeable symptoms except in a few cases, but roundworms and hookworms can both come with severe consequences for your cat. In the worst-case scenario, these worms may even cause anemia.
Detecting an infection is a much harder task in kittens, especially because they are so small. Kittens can become very ill in a short period of time as they have a weak immune system to fight the worms. These little pets are more susceptible to becoming anemic as a result of excessive blood loss.
Professional Diagnosis and Treatment for Cats
An expert vet will be able to diagnose worms in your cat simply with a physical exam. If they have a slight doubt in their judgement, they are likely to examine a stool sample themselves or send the sample to a lab for a complete culture report. Some vets prefer getting the complete insight on your cat’s health before putting forth a diagnosis, and therefore may order a few blood tests as well.
If your cat is diagnosed with worms, the vet will instruct you to treat her whether she has symptoms or not. Most vets tend to opt for a medicine that is safe, effective and is designed for the specific kind of infestation that your cat has. Most medication for cats is given orally at specific time intervals, depending upon the intensity of the worm infection. Medications will only be discontinued once the vet has confirmed that the worm is no longer present in your cat’s body, usually through a follow-up physical examination or a feces sample.
At Ormekur til hund, we aim to provide a safe place for all pet owners in Denmark to unite and treat their pets in the most effective of manners. Our natural medicine is known to be the best for your cat’s infection and healing process as it does not compromise on the overall health of your pet. The snake cure is known to be an inexpensive and effective cure to treat almost all types of worm infections that your cat may have.