How to understand that a cat has worms: symptoms of infection and photos of parasites with names and descriptions, treatment of a pet

Recognizing the symptoms of a worm infestation is a critical component of understanding your cat’s health and providing the necessary care. Cats frequently experience worm problems, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms as soon as possible to make sure your pet gets the care they require.

We’ll look at the different signs that your cat might have worms in this post. These symptoms can vary, ranging from appetite changes to appreciable weight loss, but it’s crucial to identify them. We’ll also give you descriptions and crystal-clear images of the various parasite species so you know what to look for.

Finally, we’ll go through efficient therapy choices to assist your cat in returning to their former, healthy self. You can manage your pet’s health and well-being by being proactive and informed.

Symptoms of Infection	Photos of Parasites
Weight loss
Increased appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Visible worms in stool

What types of worms do cats have and can a person become infected with them?

Many hundred different types of helminths can parasitize the body of a cat. They are all members of one of three parasite species: flukes, roundworms, or tapeworms. When in contact with a member of the cat family, a person can contract less than a dozen species; the risk of infection is still present, despite the low probability.

Cestodes, or tapeworms

Cestodes are members of the flatworm class. They are described as having a ribbon-shaped body (which is why they are also known as tapeworms) with fixation organs (suckers) in the front that are occasionally augmented by hooks (see photo). The small intestine is the preferred habitat. Its abundance of nutrients causes worms to actively grow and develop there. Since worms are resistant to enzymes, they are not harmed by digestive juices.

The animal’s digestive and central nervous systems are primarily impacted by their presence. Cats do not directly transfer cestodes to humans. On the other hand, infections do happen occasionally. Fleas carry worm eggs, which are found on fur and frequently afflict pets who walk outside.

Echinococci are thought to be man-made and harmful to people. These are 2–7 mm long parasites. They are the cause of a condition known as echinococcosis, which is characterized by damage to various organs, most commonly the liver and lungs, but also the heart, brain, and spinal cord on occasion. Cysts are formed by parasites and eventually grow to be quite large. Neoplasms impair organ function normally, while helminth life products induce allergic reactions and intoxication.

Nematodes, or round worms

When it comes to nematodes, it is most likely that a cat will infect a human. Worms are thread- or barrel-shaped, with a round body in cross section. Although they can affect other organs, they primarily cause digestive disorders when they parasitize the small intestine. They reproduce actively, which is why allergic reactions, extreme weakness, and lowered immunity are seen.

Nematode species that are harmful to humans include:

• Ascaris. These parasites are transmitted most often. Settling in the small intestine, worms interfere with the absorption of nutrients, which causes their deficiency. Found in places with a humid, warm climate.
• Hookworms. Parasitize in the intestines, causing the formation of bleeding ulcers on its walls. Cause digestive disorders, anemia and intoxication. Found in countries with a tropical and subtropical climate.

See also: Why does a cat, kitten, or both consistently eat a lot, but never feel satisfied, and continue to beg for more food?

• Toxocara. Cause a disease called toxocariasis. Spreading throughout the body, parasites cause the formation of inflammatory foci in various organs, most often in the brain, lungs, heart and eyes. Live in the environment everywhere.
• Pinworms. Settle in intestines, cecum and appendix. They cause itching and dermatitis in the perianal area, intestinal disorders. Live in places with a temperate climate.

Trematodes, or flukes

Trematodes have flat bodies in the shape of leaves. These parasites are members of the flatworm family. They are separated into liver, blood, lung, and intestinal species based on where they reside. As soon as they enter the body, they start to proliferate and gradually destroy the internal organs. Eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish (particularly those in the carp family) or consuming unboiled river water can make you easily infected with parasites.

Dangerous diseases are brought on by these parasites. Tropical diseases like schistosomiasis are contracted by coming into contact with tainted water. One of the most prevalent helminthiasis types in Russia is opthalchiasis, which can afflict both humans and animals. The cat fluke is its pathogen. This moniker stems from the fact that the parasite was initially found in a cat’s liver. It is impossible to contract the infection from an animal; instead, poorly prepared fish is the source.

How to understand that your pet is infected with helminths?

The disease’s symptoms are not all the same because helminthiasis is caused by a wide range of pathogens. They also depend on the animal’s health, the kind of organ the parasites inhabit, and the quantity of parasites present. Certain common symptoms of helminthiasis, such as the appearance of eggs or worms in the feces and behavioral changes in the cat, can help you determine whether your pet has worms.

Obvious signs: worms in feces or vomit

The digestive tract is home to the great majority of parasitic worms. Through the process of peristalsis, they expel feces after separating from the walls of the afflicted organ. The primary indicator of the illness is the presence of tiny worms or white eggs in the excrement when you clean the litter box of an affected animal. Worms are occasionally discovered in the anus. When a pet experiencing a severe helminthic invasion throws up, parasites can be observed in the vomit; however, they appear as long, transparent threads.

Changes in behavior and well-being

Parasites deprive the cat of a large amount of nutrients while it is in the digestive tract, which causes the animal to become lethargic. The pet is extremely weak and becomes fatigued easily. Although it used to enjoy playing active games, it now sleeps a lot and spends the rest of the day in bed. The cat’s behavior with food varies; it may refuse food or have a "brutal" appetite. After eating, vomiting frequently happens.

The following indicators may also indicate the presence of helminths:

• weight loss regardless of the amount of food consumed;
• digestive disorders – diarrhea, constipation (may alternate);
• bloated belly;
• cough;
• increased lacrimation, white thick discharge from the eyes;
• deterioration in the appearance of the coat;
• itching in the anus.

When it comes to lung worms, the most common parasites that cause coughing in cats are Capillaria aerophila, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, and Paragonimus kellicotti. Worms cause cough when they pass through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream, where they end up in the lungs. Cats with lung worms not only cough, but also experience dyspnea and occasionally fever. When an animal develops chronic helminthiasis as a result of organ tissue scarring, coughing can cause lifelong agony.

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Diagnostics of helminthiasis in a veterinary clinic

The veterinarian examines the clinical symptoms initially. Tests are conducted on cats if worms are suspected. The primary technique for identifying parasitic infections is the laboratory method, which is straightforward and extremely accurate. Vermiform worms, their eggs, and larvae are checked for in biomaterial (mostly excrement, less frequently urine, secretions, tissues, and muscles). A deviation in the level of eosinophils in a general blood test is an indirect indicator of the disease.

Blood serum biochemical analysis and ultrasonography are occasionally recommended in order to rule out systemic diseases. If there is any lung involvement, an X-ray might be required.

Based on the presence of particular antibodies to various parasite types in the animal’s blood, an enzyme immunoassay may occasionally be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and acquire a more comprehensive clinical picture. It assists in accurately identifying the pathogen type, disease stage, and severity.

Treatment of the pet

The pet receives treatment at home if its condition is deemed acceptable. Medication is the primary therapeutic approach. The market is flooded with anthelmintic medications. Because each one has a unique range of action and set of uses, a veterinarian prescribes the medication in each case and also chooses the course of treatment and dosage. You can use folk remedies as an adjuvant therapy, but only after speaking with a physician. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is required for the body to heal as quickly as possible.

Veterinary drugs prescribed by a veterinarian, an overview of the most popular

Cat helminthiasis is treated with anthelmintic medications. They differ in the spectrum of action (on one or more types of helminths simultaneously), the mode of action against the pathogen, and the form of release (tablets, suspensions, drops on the withers, pastes, injection solutions), among other aspects. They also contain different active substances.

The following table lists the most widely prescribed medications for treating parasitic infections in cats:

Drug	Release form	Active substance	Spectrum of action
Prazitel	tablets, suspension	praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate	toxocara, hookworm, echinococcus, mesocestoides lineatus, uncinaria stenocephala, whipworm, pork, cucumber tapeworm, broad tapeworm
Profender	drops on the withers	Emodepside, prazikantel	toxockers, ankylostomes, echinococci, cucumber, pork tapeworm
Drontal	pills	Pirantel Embonat	toxockers, anquilostomes, echinococci, Mesocestoides lineatus, cucumber, pork, bull chain
Milbemax	pills	Milbemicin Oxim, Prasykantel	toxockers, ankylostomes, echinococci, cucumber, pork tapeworm
Prasicide	tablets, suspension, drops on the withers	Pirantel Pamoat, Prasykantel, Fenbendazole	Various types of nematodes, cestodes

Nutrition of a sick animal and caring for it

The three main goals of power supply for helminthic invasion should be to relieve the digestive tract of excess weight, get rid of the drunken feeling that worms cause, and replace the lost nutrients. Eggs, low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, rice decoction, boiled chicken, turkey, and rabbit are all beneficial. Small servings of room temperature food are advised, and the cat should be fed. You can offer canned meat and chicken broth if they don’t seem hungry. The cat needs to hydrate well.

Feeding the animal cheap, low-quality food is not advised because it contains a lot of cereals that are not good for cats’ nutritional needs and don’t give the body the vitamins and microelements it needs. You can use the same brand’s wet food in place of the dry when feeding prepared food to relieve the gastrointestinal tract.

The cat is depicted fasting on the day of drug administration in order to attain a high level of the active ingredient in the parasite habitat.

The pet with helminthiasis frequently lies down a lot and feels weak. You must keep him as comfortable as possible while avoiding disturbing him. It is imperative that the tray’s cleanliness be observed. When a helminthic invasion occurs, eye discharge may occasionally appear; in these cases, cotton pads soaked in chamomile decoction or a specific lotion are needed to wipe the eyes.

See also: What to do and how to treat a pet when a cat becomes lethargic, goes without food or drink for several days, and sleeps all the time?

Folk remedies for worms

A cat can get rid of worms in a number of ways using folk medicine:

• Pumpkin seeds. 5 g of seeds are crushed together with the peel, the same amount of pork fat or vegetable oil is added. The remedy is given on an empty stomach for 5 days. The mixture is effective against flatworms.
• Onion infusion. Cut the onion into 4 parts, pour a glass of warm water. Used in the morning on an empty stomach for a week.
• Garlic. The pet is fed 1 clove for 7 days. Allergic reactions are possible!

• Water infusion of tansy. Dried flowers are poured with a glass of hot water, infused for about an hour, filtered and given to the pet 2.5 ml three times per day 7 days. After taking the product, do not feed the animal for an hour.

It should be mentioned that the efficacy of folk remedies in treating feline helminthiasis has not been established. Moreover, many of these remedies, like wormwood alcohol tincture and celandine (a poisonous plant), can be harmful to the pet. Spending time on dubious treatment could exacerbate the illness and make getting rid of worms more challenging.

How to understand that the treatment has given a result?

Different anthelmintic medications have different effects on parasites: some paralyze the parasites by blocking their neuromuscular function, while others destroy their metabolism or prevent them from reproducing. The body starts to rid itself of worms after taking anthelmintic tablets. Worms can emerge alive or dead, and frequently, the excrement only contains fragments of the worms.

The treatment has been effective if helminths are found in the feces for several days after taking the medication, and if they disappear later on and there is an improvement in overall wellbeing.

Is it necessary to give anthelmintics to people and other pets?

Other pets should be given anthelmintic tablets if a helminthic invasion is found in one of the pets. As certain worm species can spread to humans, you should take an anthelmintic medication to prevent infection in your home and yourself. The most widely used medications for humans are Decaris, Praziquantel, Pirantel, Vermox, and Aldazole. Everyone receives deworming at the same time. In order to prevent helminthiasis, individuals who own pets should take medication twice annually. A doctor chooses the tablets and the dosage.

It’s critical to recognize the symptoms of a worm infection in cats for the sake of their health and welfare. Worms can cause symptoms like weight loss, increased appetite, vomiting, and changes in stool. It will be easier for you to act swiftly if you recognize these warning signs.

Understanding the type of worms your cat is dealing with can also be aided by identifying them through pictures and descriptions. The available treatment options can be affected depending on whether the worms are roundworms, tapeworms, or another type.

Usually, your veterinarian will prescribe medication to treat a worm infection. Frequent examinations and preventive actions, like good personal hygiene and deworming regimens, can help keep these parasites away from your cat.

Taking proactive measures for your cat’s health guarantees a longer, happier, and healthier life for your pet. See a veterinarian as soon as possible if you think your cat may have worms for an accurate diagnosis and course of treatment.

It’s critical to recognize the symptoms of worms in your cat for their wellbeing. Stool changes, increased appetite, vomiting, and weight loss are common symptoms. In order to make your pet feel better, we’ll go over these symptoms in-depth in this post, along with pictures and descriptions of the different kinds of parasites.

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