Common worms and treatments

Internal parasites and worms usually live in a cat’s digestive system and are detected by an examination of your cat’s stool. Treatment can begin as early as two weeks of age and should be repeated at two to three week intervals, by your vet. 

Common worms and treatments

 Kittens can become infected earlier than elder ones in life, especially with roundworms, which can be transmitted through their mother's milk. Kittens should be wormed at two, four, six, eight and 12 weeks of their life, then every three months for life with an all worm. Pregnant and should also be treated during mating, before giving birth to a litter and then every three months.

Worming pastes are easy and effective to use for cats that have difficulty eating a tablet and drugs, but if you prefer to use tablets, ask your vet for a demonstration during a vet consult.

Common worms and parasites :

Tapeworms are common problem for cats. Feline can acquire tapeworms by eating a rodent or ingesting a flea that is carrying an immature tapeworm, so flea control is really important. Small, white worm segments around your cat’s anus or in their litter pan indicate that tapeworms are present.!!

Roundworms can be passed on from a mother cat to kittens through her milk. Take a stool sample to the vet when your cat is scheduled for her regular shots to ensure roundworms are not present. These intestinal parasites may cause weight loss, weakness, diarrhea, or mucus in the stool.

Hookworms may be passed on before birth or while nursing. If possible, keep your adult cat treated at mating and during nursing, and because hookworms can be transmitted through contact with infected faeces, keep them away from other cats’ waste. Hookworms may cause anemia, diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting or black, tarry stools.

Ringworm is caused by a fungus that lives on the skin and is very contagious - it can even be transmitted to humans. Ringworm seen as oval bare patches on the skin of your kitten. To lower the risks, avoid unnecessary contact with other cats in your area. If you suspect your cat has ringworm take them to the veterinarian as ringworm can only be detected under an ultraviolet light(UV) - once detected your vet will be able to administer the correct treatment.

Heart-worm is not as common in cats as it is in dogs, as the immune system of cats is able to eliminate most infections more easily than  dogs. Not all infections are eliminated after the mosquito carrying the immature heart-worm bites your cat, and these immature stages can develop to become large worms in the heart and vessels of the lungs. Signs of heart-worm in cats are varying from case to case, but most of the cases include sudden death.  Ask your vet about the likelihood of heart-worm disease in your area.You can also use some drugs by help of your vet to decrease the number of carrying mosquitoes.