A Look At Three Types Of Cat Worms
July 2, 2009 by
Filed under Cat Care
Various types of worms can cause problems in cats. Tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms are three different types. Some can cause severe problems if they get to be too numerous. Keep reading to learn all about these worms that affect cats.
Hookworms
Hookworms only grow to be half an inch, so they’re smaller than the other types. Your cat can swallow them in his food and become infected. Sometimes, the worms are able to penetrate the cat’s skin. They worms initially make their way through the lungs before ending up in the intestines.
An infestation of hookworms can also be life-threatening. Once in the intestines, they begin to suck blood. A lot of blood can be lost if too many worms are present. Anemia can develop if the infestation is too severe. Fortunately, hookworms can be detected through a stool sample and treated with deworming medications.
Tapeworms
Cats can also be affected by tapeworms, although they rarely cause serious damage. Most cats become infected by ingesting contaminated fleas or rodents. The adults mature in the small intestine. Your cat’s stool may also have segments in it. If you look closely, you should be able to see the segments easily. These worms are also treated using deworming medication. However, it’s important that you do your best to control fleas around your cat if you want to prevent a recurrence of tapeworms in felines.
Roundworms
Roundworms live in the same intestine and can reach up to five inches in length. These worms are usually transmitted through contact with contaminated food or feces. A mother’s milk can also transmit the worms.
Your cat’s intestines can easily become blocked if these worms get to be too numerous. This situation is very serious for kittens. To determine if your cat is affected, the vet will have to examine a stool sample. The main method of treatment is deworming medication.
Many different health problems can affect your pet such as feline allergies. Luckily for you, www.cat-illnesses.com provides all the information you need. Stop by right now to learn about some of these health problems.
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