Internal parasites
The two groups of internal parasites most commonly found in
cats are tapeworms and roundworms, both of which live in the intestinal tract
(the gut).
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are flat, tape-like worms that are common in the
bowel of most mammals, the cat included.
What are the signs of tapeworms?
Tapeworms consist of a scolex (head), which attaches itself
to the wall of the gut by either suckers or hooks, and a series of segments
containing eggs. These segments break off and are passed out with the faeces.
They are sometimes visible in the faeces, around the cat’s anus or in bedding.
They resemble small grains of rice and may move.
Tapeworm lifecycle
In the environment, the segments disintegrate, releasing
eggs. The eggs themselves are not infectious to cats. They have to pass through
a host to be able to complete their life cycle. The host varies for different
types of tapeworm, but a cat will become infected when he ingests an infected
host such as a flea or rodent.
As one type of tapeworm is transmitted by fleas, it should
be assumed that a cat infected with fleas also has tapeworm and vice versa.
The worms live by absorbing pre-digested food in the bowel
of the cat. They are rarely harmful except where heavy infestations cause
obstruction of the gut or weight loss.
Roundworms
Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite in cats.
Adult roundworms look like a white earthworm. They can grow up to 10cm in
length.
Roundworm lifecycle
Adult worms live in the cat’s intestine and feed on digested
food. Their eggs are passed in the faeces; the entire worm is not usually
passed. The eggs are not infectious to other cats when first passed but become
infectious after a few days when they develop into larvae. They may remain
infectious for years until eaten.
Roundworms can be passed through the milk of the queen
(mother) to her kittens. This is a very common route of infection so we can
assume that most kittens born to a mother with roundworm will be infected.
How can worms be treated and prevented?
Vets provide the only effective treatment for worms in cats.
Some worming medications are effective against both roundworm and tapeworm,
while others are only effective against one or the other.
Kittens
Information on worming kittens is currently limited. Most
guidance is based in studies carried out in puppies. However, puppies can
become infected while in the womb, whereas kittens only become infected via the
mother’s milk.
Cats Protection recommends that if there is concern that a
mother cat has worms which may have been passed to her kittens, they should be
treated with a suitable product from four weeks of age. Veterinary guidance
should be sought prior to treatment.
From six weeks of age, healthy kittens will require monthly
treatment against roundworms. From six months of age, they will generally
require treatment against roundworms and tapeworms every three months.
Kittens should be weighed prior to every worming treatment
to ensure that the correct dosage is administered.
Adult Cats
Adult cats need to be treated with a drug active against
both roundworms and tapeworms every two to six months. The precise frequency of
treatment recommended will vary slightly depending on the individual cat, eg
whether the cat hunts and is regularly treated for fleas.
Veterinary guidance should be sought before deciding what to
use and how often.
Why control worms?
Heavy burdens of worms in cats can cause weight loss,
vomiting, diarrhoea and/or failure to thrive, particularly in young kittens.
Roundworms can occasionally infect, but provided the litter
tray is emptied and cleaned daily, there is no risk from the fresh faeces.
Tapeworm infection of humans is not common but can occur
occasionally, usually in children who have ingested a flea which contains the
larvae of the tapeworm.
Worming your cat regularly and keeping it treated against
fleas will ensure the risk is absolutely minimal.
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