Whether they live exclusively indoors or spend time outdoors, cats can become infected with intestinal parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms. Puppies often contract worms from their mother's milk, while adult ones can accidentally catch them by eating worm eggs or other infested parasites themselves. Since this is a rather widespread problem, it is advisable to learn to recognize the warning signs, so that you can seek veterinary care and start treating the infestation early on. If not eradicated, the worms can cause symptoms such as a dull coat or a swollen belly, but it is rare for a cat to become seriously ill. Since it is relatively easy to get rid of worms with proper drug therapy and a little knowledge, it is also easy to determine if your cat may have contracted them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Check for Symptoms
Step 1. Look for any changes in the cat's coat
Its coat is usually bright and shiny, but if your cat has worms it may look dull and uncared for.
This is likely due to dehydration or poor nutrient absorption due to the infection
Step 2. Look at his gums
A healthy cat has pink gums, very similar to those of humans. If, on the other hand, they are a little pale or white, it could be a sign that they are anemic. A common cause of anemia is a parasitic infection.
- To analyze his gums, sit down with him on your lap or place him next to you, gently take his head in your hands, grabbing it under the jaw and behind the ears. Use your fingertips to lift a flap of his upper lip to expose his upper gums.
- If they look pale you should contact your vet as soon as possible.
Step 3. Check his feces
If your cat uses the litter box, it's easy to keep an eye on her feces. In particular, it observes the following characteristics:
- Dark, tarry stools may indicate blood loss due to hookworms that have attached to the intestinal walls.
- Diarrhea can also occur when worms take up space within the intestines and interfere with digestion.
- If your cat has diarrhea for more than 24 hours, if you notice fresh blood, or if the stool is tarry and dark, contact your vet.
Step 4. Check for vomiting
To be honest, vomiting is quite common among cats, but if the episodes are frequent, the animal should be visited by the veterinarian, as it could mean the presence of worms or some other health problem.
Worms can cause vomiting by blocking outflow to the stomach or irritating the gastric lining
Step 5. Pay attention to how much you eat
A rather severe worm infestation is generally associated with loss of appetite.
This is due to a number of factors, such as inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, stomach pain, in addition to the physical space occupied by the worms inside the intestine
Step 6. Look for changes in the shape of her body
Cats with a severe worm infection can develop a swollen tummy, giving the abdominal area a generally distended appearance.
Like vomiting, this is also a general symptom that can occur for a variety of reasons, but it is enough to warrant a visit to the vet, whatever the underlying cause
Step 7. Look for signs of lethargy
If the worms are absorbing the nutrients directly from the intestine, the cat assumes a lethargic behavior, becomes listless and without energy. Pay attention to any sudden changes in your furry friend's energy level.
- Again, know that it could be a symptom of many different diseases, one more reason to take him to the vet for a check-up.
- You certainly know your cat's normal energy levels, so you can tell when he loses liveliness and suddenly doesn't feel like playing anymore.
Part 2 of 3: Check for Worms
Step 1. Find out if there are any eggs in his stool
Put on a pair of disposable plastic gloves and, with a disposable tool such as a popsicle stick, examine the feces in the litter and check for the presence of parasites.
- Tapeworms can leave clusters of eggs on the surface of the stool that look like sesame or cucumber seeds, and they sometimes dart and wiggle.
- It is rare to see an entire tapeworm in the stool, it looks like a long flat cream-colored worm made up of many segments. An adult tapeworm can reach up to 60 cm in length.
- Roundworm eggs are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but sometimes the whole worms pass in the stool or may even be vomited. These worms look like long, smooth noodles and about the same diameter. An adult worm is usually only 7-15 centimeters long.
- Hookworm eggs are also too small to be seen with the naked eye. The adult worm is just as small and measures only 2-3 millimeters, making it difficult to spot.
Step 2. Check the cat's anus
Clusters of tapeworm eggs can move from the anus and feces and settle on the adjacent hair. Therefore, you can easily deduce if the animal is infested simply by observing if it has clusters of cream-white eggs, which look like sesame seeds, clinging to its fur.
Step 3. Examine his bed and any other places he loves to be
Clusters of eggs may remain in places where the cat squats, such as blankets or upholstered furniture, so check these areas if you suspect your cat has worms.
Part 3 of 3: Testing the Cat
Step 1. Contact your vet to schedule an exam
If you think your cat may have a worm infestation, one of the most reliable ways to find out is to send a fecal sample for analysis to the veterinary clinic. The sample will be examined under a microscope to detect the possible presence of worm eggs.
- Each type of worm has differently shaped eggs, so this is the most accurate way to determine the type (s) of worms infesting your pet.
- When you contact your vet, try to describe your cat's symptoms.
Step 2. Collect a sample of the cat's stool
If you are asked to collect a sample, you must get some of its feces and keep the container until the day of your vet appointment.
- Worm eggs are hardy, but for best results keep the container in a cool, dark place, such as a garage or shady shed.
- Do not keep the container in a room where food is cooked, and always wash your hands after collecting a fecal sample.
- To reduce the chances of a false negative fecal test, some vets may request a co-culture, which means that you need to collect stool from three separate bowels on three different days and place it in the same container.
Step 3. Take your cat to the vet for an examination
Your doctor will observe this and perform a fecal test if he deems it necessary.
If he finds worms, he will prescribe medications. Administer them carefully following the instructions given to you and you will see that the problem will be solved quickly
Advice
- It is important to note that cats can have some worms, especially roundworms, without showing signs of ill health. However, if the worms can reproduce and stabilize in the intestine, they absorb the nutrients "stealing" the vital nutrients from the cat and in the long run can compromise its health. Have your pet checked regularly by a veterinarian to avoid this and other health risks.
- You can also help reduce the chances of parasitic infections. Keep the litter box clean by throwing litter every day, and wash it with a small amount of bleach diluted in water (in a ratio of 1:30) or a mild dish soap.
- Vacuum your home at least once a week to prevent fleas.
Warnings
- If you suspect that your cat has worms and you have examined him to be sure, be sure to always wash your hands after touching him, immediately remove all excrement from the litter box and keep children away from the animal until you have him examined by the vet for treatment. a treatment.
- Be aware that fecal tests sometimes produce misleading false negatives. Some parasites drop flimsy eggs, so even if your cat has the infection, there may be no evidence in the collected stool sample. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat several tests to get an accurate diagnosis.
