Understanding Feline Roundworm and Tapeworm
Two common intestinal feline worms it’s good to know about if you have a cat are feline roundworm and feline tapeworm. These are unpleasant intestinal parasites that are all too common, but they aren’t too difficult to treat. You can also take steps to help prevent them which is even better.
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.
Adult feline roundworms live in the small intestine of the cat (the host) where they absorb nutrients from what the cat is eating. Feline roundworm can weaken the cat’s system because they interfere with normal digestion and they can also damage 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.
A serious case of these worms can block the intestines, although this isn’t very common. While a mild case of roundworms may not cause any noticeable 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.
Feline Tapeworm Feline tapeworms are flat, segmented worms. They have a head, neck and a number of segments that look like grains of rice or cucumber seeds. The head has a mouth with “suckers” that allow the feline tapeworm to latch on to the cat’s 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.
Feline tapeworms are carried by fleas so a tapeworm problem is often seen along with a flea infestation. In this instance the flea infestation needs to be treated before starting treatment for tapeworm. If not the tapeworm might re-infest 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 feel your cat may have tapeworms it’s important to work with your veterinarian to find the proper medication to treat for these worms. There are some common wormers for this but the dose can differ based on the weight of the cat.
Tags: cat health, Family, feline illnesses, feline roundworms, feline tapeworms, feline worms, Home, pet care
