What are intestinal parasites?
Intestinal parasites are worms or other small organisms that can infect your cat and live in their intestinal tract. They can cause various health issues if left untreated.
Dr. Noël Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
What are intestinal parasites?
Intestinal parasites are worms or other small organisms that can infect your cat and live in their intestinal tract. They can cause various health issues if left untreated.
What preventative measures can be taken to ensure that my cat doesn't get worms and other parasites?
Preventative measures include routine dewormings that start when kittens are young. Depending on your cat's lifestyle, your veterinarian may recommend monthly preventions that also include deworming treatments. Indoor cats may require less frequent dewormings.
What are some signs and symptoms of intestinal parasites in your cat?
Intestinal parasites can often go unnoticed by cat owners. However, if your cat has a high parasite burden, you might notice gastrointestinal (GI) upset, which can present as vomiting, diarrhea, or bloated bellies. You may also see parasites in their stool or vomit.
Can you see worms in your cat's stools?
Yes, tapeworms are visible as small, rice-like segments on the outside of fecal material or in the litter box. They can move and may also appear as dry rice-like segments around your cat's bottom. If a cat has enough roundworms, they can be seen in the stool or vomited up. Roundworms are longer and thinner than tapeworms.
How will a veterinarian diagnose intestinal parasites in a cat?
A veterinarian may diagnose intestinal parasites based on visible evidence, such as tapeworms, or by sending a fecal sample to a lab to identify parasite eggs. A fresh sample is preferred for the best sample quality.
What are some possible conditions caused by internal intestinal parasites and what are the treatments?
Intestinal parasites can cause loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloated bellies in cats. Treatment depends on the type of parasite your pet has. Common deworming protocols include oral or topical dewormers. There are various effective deworming products and medications available for cats.
Why is early detection and diagnosis so important?
Early detection helps prevent disease and provides relief for your cat if they are experiencing symptoms. It's recommended to have your cat screened annually for parasites and to alert your veterinarian if your cat displays any signs of GI issues or bloated bellies.
If you have specific questions about your cat's parasites or need deworming information, contact your local veterinarian for assistance.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/BlueOasisPetHospital/, https://www.instagram.com/blueoasispet/
Cat Deworming - FAQs
Dr. Noël Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
What are intestinal parasites?
Intestinal parasites are organisms that live within the intestinal tract of cats. Some of the more common ones include roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.
How does my cat get worms?
Worms can be passed in several different ways. In kittens, the most common way is to be passed through the mother's uterus, meaning parasites are obtained in kittens before they're even born. Parasites can also migrate through milk and milk glands and be obtained while the kitten is nursing. Another common way is fecal-oral transmission, where eggs of parasites are passed through the fecal material of a cat and then ingested by the cat into the intestinal tract.
Are worms painful to cats?
Worms can be painful for cats. If a cat has a lot of intestinal parasites, it can cause intestinal wall thickening, bloating, and inflammation that can be uncomfortable.
Are worms visible in my cat's stool?
Worms can be visible in your cat's stool. However, oftentimes they're not seen, so not seeing them does not mean that your cat does not have parasites. The most common parasite to be visible is the tapeworm, which appears as little rice-like segments on the outside of the stool.
What are the signs my cat has worms?
Some of the most common symptoms of worms in cats include a bloated belly, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These symptoms are usually gastrointestinal. In severe cases, especially in young cats, they can even die from intestinal parasites.
How common is it for cats to have worms?
Intestinal parasites are quite common, especially in kittens. Most kittens have some type of parasite when they join your family, so it's important to have them screened for worms and dewormed properly by a veterinarian.
How long can worms last inside my cat?
Worms can live for a long time inside a cat, depending on the species of the parasite. They can live for months, if not years, in the intestinal tract. It's important to have your cat's fecal material screened annually as an adult cat, and more frequently for kittens, to ensure they are not harboring parasites.
If you have any questions about your cat and deworming or intestinal parasites, please reach out to your veterinarian or, if you're in our community, reach out to Blue Oasis Pet Hospital. We'd love to help you.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/BlueOasisPetHospital/, https://www.instagram.com/blueoasispet/
Cat Deworming - FAQs 2
Dr. Noël Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
Can all intestinal parasites be prevented?
Intestinal parasites can be prevented. There are effective preventatives on the market that can be administered to your cat either monthly or every three months to help prevent them from getting intestinal parasites.
How do cats get intestinal parasites?
Most cats get intestinal parasites through fecal-oral transmission, meaning they get exposed to fecal material containing eggs that are then ingested by your cat. Another way is through parasite transmission, such as a flea carrying a tapeworm larva. If your cat ingests that flea, the chances of getting an intestinal tapeworm are high.
Can indoor cats still get parasites?
Yes, indoor cats can still get parasites. One of the most common ways is through exposure to fleas, which can squeeze through screens and enter your home. Cats may also briefly venture outside without you realizing it, which can expose them to intestinal parasites.
Is there a medication to prevent my cat from getting intestinal parasites?
Yes, there are medications available to prevent intestinal parasites in cats. Most monthly preventatives recommended for fleas and ticks also protect against intestinal parasites. If you have a specific parasite concern, there are targeted preventions available.
How can I keep my cat from passing on intestinal parasites to other pets in the household?
First, have a fecal sample analyzed at your veterinarian's office to identify if your cat is harboring any intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites for cats are specific to cats, and dog-specific parasites are specific to dogs. By separating your infected cat from other cats, you can administer medications and dewormers, as well as provide preventatives for your other cats to treat and prevent intestinal parasites in your household.
Can any intestinal parasites be passed on to people?
Some parasites can be passed from a cat to a person, which is known as a zoonotic disease or zoonotic parasite. If your cat has a zoonotic parasite, your veterinarian will discuss the risks to you and your family. If you have any questions specifically about your cat's intestinal parasite risk or deworming your cat, consult your veterinarian or reach out to a local pet hospital for assistance.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/BlueOasisPetHospital/, https://www.instagram.com/blueoasispet/
Cat Deworming - FAQs 3
Dr. Noël Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
How is my cat tested for worms?
Your cat is tested for worms with a fecal material sample. You'll need to collect some fresh fecal material from the litter box. Having a little litter on the sample is okay, and you usually need about a teaspoon-sized amount. The test will help identify the type of parasite your cat might have.
What medication is used for deworming?
There are several deworming medications available, and the specific medication used depends on the parasite that needs to be treated. After discussing with your veterinarian and identifying the parasite, they will recommend the best deworming medication for your pet.
Can I deworm my pet at home?
While there are some over-the-counter deworming products available, it's essential to know which parasite you're treating before administering any medication. Most kittens have roundworms and hookworms, but it's recommended to consult with your veterinarian or have them prescribe the dewormer. This ensures the correct dosage based on your cat's size and specific needs.
How often should my cat be dewormed?
Kittens should be dewormed multiple times throughout their early development due to the intermittent egg-laying and life cycles of parasites. As for adult cats, the deworming frequency depends on their lifestyle. Most cats will be dewormed once or twice during their adult life to keep them parasite-free.
Is deworming necessary for cats?
Yes, deworming is necessary for cats. Many kittens have intestinal parasites, and if they aren't dewormed when they're young, they can harbor these parasites into adulthood. It's essential to talk to your veterinarian about deworming your cat to ensure their long-term health.
What would happen if my cat isn't dewormed?
If your cat isn't dewormed and continues to live with intestinal parasites, they can become re-exposed and acquire more parasites over time. This can lead to medical conditions such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bloated belly, poor hair coat, and weight loss. It's important to remember your cat's deworming history and have routine fecal screenings at least annually for adult cats.
If you have any questions about your cat's deworming medications, protocols, or prevention methods, talk to your veterinarian or contact a local pet hospital for assistance.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/BlueOasisPetHospital/, https://www.instagram.com/blueoasispet/