Unfortunately, all cats can suffer from a parasite infestation. Either because their mother has unconsciously transmitted them to them, or because they have come into contact with these "worms" themselves, the truth is that at any moment we can see that they are not well ... unless we do something to avoid it.
With this in mind, it is important to know which intestinal parasites are most common in cats , the symptoms they cause, and what to do to eliminate them.
Which are?
There are many intestinal parasites that affect cats; however, the most frequent are:
- Ascaris: as the toxocara cati. They are round worms between 4 and 8 cm long. They lodge in the intestine, where they multiply until they cause an obstruction. They can affect people too.
- Hookworms: As the Acylostoma tubaeforme. They are small, 1cm round worms that can cause fatal gastroenteritis in kittens.
- You had: As the Canine dipylidium and Taeniataeniaeformis, they are flatworms. The first is spread by ingestion of contaminated external parasites (fleas and lice), and the second by ingestion of rodents. They are not transmitted to people nor do they usually cause many problems for cats, since they themselves gradually expel them through the anus.
- Hydatidosis: As the Echinococcus granulosus o multilocularis. They are worms that do not cause serious symptoms either, but they can affect people by forming cysts in different organs.
How do I know if my cat has it?
The quickest and most effective way is to take a stool sample to the veterinarian for analysis . However, we can also suspect whether or not our pet has it if:
- We see traces of eggs or worms in the areas they use to rest.
- They have diarrhea (especially severe in kittens).
- Hair becomes dull and dry.
- You can lose weight.
How is it treated?
Treating intestinal parasites in cats is quite simple: it involves administering an antiparasitic medication (against worms) first at three and five weeks of age, and then repeating the treatment twice a year . Once the cat is an adult, a spot-on treatment against these parasites, such as Advocate or Stronghold, can be applied once a month or as recommended by the veterinarian.
I hope it has been useful to you.