There are several types of worms that can infect cats. The four most common are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and heartworms. These worms not only pose a danger to cats, but they can infect all other pets in the house; moreover, some of them are also transmitted to humans. Therefore, in addition to administering wormers to puppies, recently adopted cats and those presenting with symptoms, it would be advisable to organize a series of regular tests and analyzes with the veterinarian to check for the presence of parasites and thus be able to keep them under control. Knowing when to deworm a cat is just as important as knowing how to worm it.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Diagnosing a Worm Infestation
Step 1. Check your stool
The clearest sign of infestation is the very presence of worms in the stool. Look at your kitten's fecal material to check for parasites. Often segments of tapeworms, which look like small grains of rice, detach and come out of the intestine together with the animal's feces. When they are fresh, they can also move around like little worms.
- Find out if your cat has diarrhea. There are several causes that can cause diarrhea in a cat, but all intestinal worms, including roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms, can cause liquid stools and dysentery. In some cases, blood may even leak from the colon and the cat may experience intestinal irritation.
- Grab a bag and collect these worms for your vet to examine.
Step 2. Be careful if the cat vomits
Roundworms can cause this symptom. Cats can also throw up adult roundworms, which look like thin noodles. Vomiting is also a potential symptom of heartworms. Again it would be wise to collect them, as you did for the fecal material, and put them in a bag. Your vet will want to examine your cat's vomit to check for parasites or to see if they have any other conditions. Remember that vomiting is not an automatic symptom of the presence of worms, but it could indicate another health problem.
Step 3. Monitor your feline friend's weight
When cats have intestinal worms or heartworms, they can actually lose weight. Sometimes it could be a drastic wasting, while in other cases the weight variation is minimal. It all depends on the size and quantity of the worms. In other cases, however, the animal may have an enlarged stomach, with a "barrel belly". If you see that your furry friend's abdomen has taken on a rounded shape, then it could be infested with nematodes.
Step 4. Check the cat's gums
Normally they should be pink. If parasites are present, just like worms, the gums turn pale as a sign of anemia and shock. If you notice your cat has pale gums, make an appointment with the vet. If you have difficulty breathing or are lethargic, ask for urgent intervention.
Step 5. Know the type of worms your furry friend has infested
It is important to be able to distinguish the type of parasites, so that the appropriate treatment can be initiated. Your vet will be of great help in developing a diagnosis, prescribing the medications and treatment best suited to the specific situation accordingly. While you don't necessarily need to know each type of worm in detail, here are the ones that most often attack pets:
- Roundworms are the most common parasites in cats. During the lactation phase, the mother can transmit them to the kittens through milk, while adult cats can take them from infected feces.
- Tapeworms have a segmented body and can often be seen on the fur on the cat's hind legs. The animal can become infected by ingesting fleas.
- Hookworms are smaller than nematodes and settle in the small intestine; they generally infest the cat through contact with the skin or by ingestion. However, these worms are more common in dogs.
- Nematodes enter the animal's lungs, and among the various parasites they are the least common. They can infest the animal by ingesting a host, such as a bird or rodent.
- Heartworms are probably the most dangerous of all. Mosquitoes bite infected animals and when they suck blood they also absorb the small worm larvae. The larvae grow in the mosquito's body and the next time it bites an animal (like your cat), it will also inject the heartworms directly into the bloodstream.
Step 6. Take your kitty to the vet
Don't think you can cure it yourself; you absolutely must take him to the doctor, who will analyze a stool sample and can then confirm the presence of worms. If possible, try to get a stool sample beforehand for this test. If your vet suspects it is heartworm disease, they might do a routine blood draw. Since there are many different types of worms and treatment that is effective for one is not always suitable for another, it is important to know exactly which type it is before starting therapy.
- Usually, deworming medication should be given every 2 weeks or monthly. This is not a treatment that involves a single administration.
- You may read on some websites that it is possible to cure the cat "naturally" at home with simple herbs and spices. Pay no attention to this type of information and take your kitty to a competent vet instead.
- If you've just adopted a kitten, or it's a newborn, take it to the vet for deworming. This is a routine procedure, even if you don't think the puppy is truly infested. Kittens should be wormed every 2 weeks from 6 weeks to 3 months of age and then every month until they reach 6 months. If, on the other hand, you have adopted a kitten, you must have it dewormed immediately, with at least 2 further treatments 2 weeks apart. Remember that cats can also pass worms on to their kittens.
Part 2 of 4: Treating the Cat
Step 1. Give your cat the medications as they are prescribed
The vet will have indicated the type of medication suitable for the specific infestation of your furry friend. You should never try to treat the animal with over-the-counter deworming treatments without first consulting with your veterinarian, especially when it comes to cats. Although lozenges are given most often, medications can sometimes be in the form of tablets, capsules, granules, chewable pills, liquids, and topical treatments.
Do not choose the type of drug yourself; instead follow the instructions of the veterinarian to know both the quantity and the frequency of administration. Once you know the type of medication and the correct dosage, it is important to follow the entire course of treatment as directed by your doctor. Regardless of whether it is oral or topical, be sure to give your kitty the drug for the full course of therapy
Step 2. Be prepared for side effects
The important thing is that the drugs are more poisonous to parasites (worms) than they can be to the host (the cat). This is why it is important to receive help from a competent professional such as the veterinarian and to administer the medicine to the cat exactly as you have been instructed to do. Some side effects can be diarrhea and vomiting. Ask your doctor about the expected adverse consequences for the specific drug you are administering and make sure your cat is responding appropriately to treatment.
Step 3. Manage the infestation of roundworms and hookworms
For these worms, the most common medications to be given to adult cats are pyrantel pamoate, milbemycin oxime and selamectin. The first two are drugs to be taken orally, while selamectin is a topical drug. Pyrantel pamoate is available without a prescription, while selamectin and milbemycin oxime can only be obtained via veterinary prescription. Selamectin is not suitable for puppies that are less than 8 weeks old, so small kittens should be wormed with oral wormers.
Step 4. Deal with a tapeworm infestation
The drugs typically most used in this case are praziquantel and epsiprantel; both must be taken by mouth. Praziquantel does not require a veterinary prescription, while epsiprantel, on the other hand, cannot be administered without a prescription.
Generally, veterinarians recommend performing a further stool analysis after treatment to make sure that the drug was effective. Strictly follow the doctor's instructions regarding the dosage of the drug, so as not to give the cat different doses than what has been indicated and be sure, in this way, that the treatment leads to positive results
Step 5. See your doctor for a routine checkup
Your vet will tell you when a post-treatment check-up is appropriate. Make sure you follow his instructions and bring the kitten back to his clinic, both in case another course of therapy is needed, and to confirm that the worm infestation has been eradicated. It is important to go to the vet respecting the appointment set to ensure the health and well-being of the cat.
Part 3 of 4: Giving the Cat the Oral Medications
Step 1. Prepare the medication
Shake the bottle if necessary or take the tablet out of the package. If the drug is liquid you may need to put it in a syringe or dropper. Your vet will let you know which method of administration is best suited to your specific situation.
Keep the drug pack out of the cat's sight. He may notice the tablet or bottle of liquid medication and run off preemptively. Sometimes, it's a good idea to prepare the medications and wait a few minutes for the cat to come back to grip it safely
Step 2. Keep the kitten calm
Once you have been prescribed the right treatment for your cat's worms, you need to know how to administer it. It might be a little tricky to get him a drug by mouth, but you can easily do it if you keep your feline friend calm and peaceful. If you are instructed to give the drug at home, you need to know how to soothe your cat to be successful.
Step 3. Wrap the cat
Cover it with a small blanket, pillowcase or towel, leaving only the head outside. This will prevent him from scratching or wrestling you while you give him the drug. However, make sure he doesn't get too scared or choke when you wrap him in the towel. You could also try to give him the drug without having to bandage him completely. By doing so, perhaps you could reduce his anxiety, but it will certainly be more difficult to manage.
Step 4. Grab the cat securely
Sit on the floor and hold the cat tightly between your legs or on your knees. You can also ask someone to hold him while you give him the drug. If you find another person who can help you, the process will certainly be a lot easier.
Step 5. Hold the cat's head correctly
Place your thumb and forefinger on the sides of his mouth. Be careful, though: at this point the cat may try to bite you because it would consider your behavior an invasion of its territory.
Step 6. Tilt his head back
As you do this, apply gentle pressure to the sides of her mouth until she opens it. Try to take the calmest attitude possible during this operation. If you get upset, the cat perceives your state of anxiety and will in turn feel more worried than necessary. With the other hand, press his jaw downwards, in order to further open his jaws.
Step 7. Put the medicine in your four-legged friend's mouth
Place the lozenge in the back of your mouth or squeeze the liquid medication into one side of one cheek. Be cautious and don't drop the drug down your throat to avoid choking the creature.
Step 8. Help your cat ingest the drug
Here's what you need to do to help him swallow the medicine more easily:
- Let the cat close its mouth;
- Raise his jaw so that his nose points upward;
- Massage his throat gently to trigger the swallowing reflex;
- Maintain the same position for a few seconds or until you are sure that the drug has been ingested. Be gentle during this process, the cat doesn't have to choke on the medicine.
Step 9. Make sure the medication is ingested
Release the cat's mouth, but still hold him next to you to make sure he swallows the medication and doesn't spit it out. Only release him when you are sure he has actually swallowed the medicine.
If the drug is in a capsule or tablet it can be quite easy for the cat to spit it out, while it is more difficult if it is a liquid
Step 10. Praise the cat for completing the procedure
Free him from the towel or blanket that wrapped him and compliment him on his good behavior. Give him a treat, pamper him, and show him a lot of affection to make him feel good. This will make the process easier next time. The cat should associate medicine with something good, not experience it as a scary event. In the future, it could struggle and hinder administration more if it experiences the experience as a negative event.
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Relapses
Step 1. Give him a routine preventative treatment for parasites
Check with your vet for details. Some medications, such as selamectin, are highly effective in protecting your cat from fleas, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and other parasites.
Step 2. Consider keeping the pet indoors
Since other infected cats, fleas, or rodents can transmit the parasites, you can reduce the chances of infection by keeping your cat indoors. Many cat owners feel guilty when they stop their pet from going outside. They feel that they are somehow restricting their feline friend and wonder if, in this way, they are preventing the cat from expressing natural instincts in the open air and in the sun. Often this doubt affects their decision. If you want to properly evaluate this solution, you should weigh its pros and cons.
Are the risks too great? When making your decision, you must keep in mind the conditions of the road, any possible diseases, the environment, the presence of other animals and humans. If you decide to keep your feline friend indoors to avoid these risks, remember that you can also create the same conditions indoors and guarantee the cat the same activities that it would do outdoors thanks to the scratching posts, the presence of windows and other fun objects. on which it can climb
Step 3. Keep fleas away from your home and garden
If your cat lives indoors, you generally don't have to worry too much about outdoor spaces. Cats are quite adept at killing fleas, especially if they are not continually infested with them. So focus on the areas where your cat spends most of its time.
- At home: the main aspect you should take care of to ensure a flea-free home is cleaning. Wash all your cat's favorite pillows and blankets and anything else the animal tends to sit on. You need to get rid of fleas, eggs, larvae and pupae. To do this, use a vacuum cleaner and thoroughly clean the rugs or carpets. If the infestation is moderate or severe, consider using a flea spray or diffuser. Make sure you choose a product that is effective on both fleas and eggs. During application, make sure that all people and pets stay out of the house for as long as indicated by the instructions on the package. Afterwards, clean all surfaces and use the vacuum cleaner again to remove fleas, dead eggs and toxic residues from the product.
- In the garden: eliminating fleas outdoors is much more difficult. Start by collecting and throwing away all the organic residues that could feed the fleas, such as grass, leaves and straw. These parasites love to hide in dark, humid and shady environments. Buy an environmentally safe spray and spray the product on the various infested areas by carefully following the instructions on the label.
Step 4. Clean your cat's litter box often
He regularly eliminates his feces to stop a possible proliferation of worms. Put on disposable plastic gloves and possibly a mask. You don't have to breathe in the cat's fecal dust. Scoop up all the rubbish and throw it in a garbage bag. Use paper towels and spray some natural antibacterial product to clean the inside of the litter box. Also consider washing it thoroughly, frequently, using soap and water. Also replace the sand with a new, clean one. Repeat this process once or twice a week, depending on how much your cat uses the litter box.
