Of the feline worms feline roundworm and feline tapeworm are probably the most common, so it’s good to know a little about them if you have a cat. Knowledge can help with both prevention and treatment of these nasty intestinal parasites.
Feline Roundworm Adult feline roundworms look a little like cooked spaghetti, hence the name roundworm. Mature feline roundworms are generally about 3-4 inches long, but some can reach a length of 7 inches. Feline roundworms can sometimes be seen in the feces or vomit of an infected cat, but just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean the cat isn’t infected. To find out if your cat might be infected your veterinarian will need to preform a fecal test.
Grown roundworms can cause problems because they live in the small intestine of the host and absorb the nutrients from the cat’s food. They can mess with the cat’s immune system because they hinder the normal digestive process and they can also do damage to the lining of the intestine.
Felines with a serious case of roundworms can loose a lot of weigh and appear very thin, while kittens with with these worms can get a pot-belly look. Other symptoms of a roundworm problem include a dull coat, diarrhea, constipation, anemia, and vomiting. As the larvae develop they pass through the respiratory system of the cat which can cause coughing, an additional possible symptom.
Although it’s rare, in cases of severe infestation the feline roundworm can block the intestines. On the other end of the spectrum in cases of a mild infestation the infected cat may not exhibit any symptoms.
Treatment of feline roundworms will include giving your cat a wormer to kill the roundworms. Most wormers will kill the adult roundworms but not the larvae, so the instructions on the wormer will usually tell you to repeat the worming process 2-4 weeks after the first round.
Tapeworms in Cats Tapeworms are flat and made of segments. The segments consist of a head, a neck and a bunch of other segments. Each of these segments look a bit like rice or cucumber seeds. But the head segment has a mouth with suckers that allow it to attach to the intestine.
New segments grow in the neck area and the segments on the other end are dropped as they develop. These segments each have their own reproductive organs. The ones that are dropped have the eggs. These are the ones you may notice in the litter box, near the cat’s butt or in the bedding.
Fleas carry tapeworm larvae so if you have a flea problem you may also have a tapeworm problem. But the flea problem needs to be treated before starting treatment for the worms. Otherwise the worms can reinfect your cat.
Cats can also contract feline tapeworm from rodents, so if your cat hunts or spends a lot of time outside you should regularly check for feline tapeworm.
If you notice small tapeworm segments on your cat work with your veterinarian to find the right medication to effectively treat the infestation. Praziquantel is the most common treatment used, but the dosage can vary based on your cat’s weight.
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