Intestinal Parasites in Cats

95% of kittens are born with intestinal worms! These parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, stunted growth and even death. Some kinds, especially roundworms, are also transmissible to humans. There are 10,000 cases of animal parasites causing disease in children every year in the United States.

Internal parasites are diagnosed by having a fresh stool sample examined under a microscope by someone here at the veterinary hospital. This should be done as part of a health exam when you obtain a new kitten or cat, and on a yearly basis as part of your cat's annual health exam and vaccinations.

Try to collect the freshest sample you can and keep it refrigerated until you can bring it in to the veterinary hospital. Stool samples will keep up to 24 hours if kept cool (NOT FROZEN). So that you may better understand the problems internal parasites can cause and what signs to look for, here is a short description of the five most common types of internal parasites.

are the most common type of worm. They are 2-3 inches long and resemble strands of spaghetti. They live in the small intestine, and may cause vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. This parasite is most commonly transmitted via the stools of other cats or dogs, or from eating mice or other rodents that may harbor infective larvae of the worm. Mother cats can also pass these worms to their unborn kittens.

are small, fine worms which attach to the walls of the small intestine and live by sucking blood from the cat. They cause severe diarrhea, which may be bloody, and anemia, especially in kittens and young cats. Hookworms are usually transmitted by infested stools of other cats or dogs, or via the uterus or mother's milk.

also live in the small intestine, where the head attaches to the intestinal wall and produces a chain of segments. Mature segments containing eggs are passed with the stool, or may be seen around the rectum. They resemble small grains of rice. They may be acquired through the ingestion of rodents or birds or, more commonly, through the ingestion of fleas. Flea control is essential to control tapeworm infestation.

are one-celled protozoan parasites, more like bacteria rather then “worms.” Kittens can pick these up from their mother and they can also be acquired by eating rabbit or other wildlife droppings. They are treated with antibiotics.

are also protozoan. They are very difficult to pick up on a regular stool check. Antibiotics or special wormers kill them but they are difficult to eradicate completely and often flare up with stress or other intestinal problems. They are contagious to humans and cause vomiting and diarrhea in both people and pets. A vaccine for Giardia recently became available for dogs and is in development for cats. This will be particularly useful for cats that have had the disease or in breeding facilities.

If a stool sample is positive for parasites, the veterinarian will prescribe an effective dewormer. Your veterinarian will need you to weigh your animal before picking up any wormer, to ensure that the proper dose is given. A stool sample should be checked again after treatment, to ensure that your pet is not being re-infested by his or her environment and that the dewormer was effective. The time for this recheck will depend on the species of parasite. Clean the litter box daily until treatment is complete.

Heartworms are being found more frequently in cats, though they are less common in cats than in dogs. Affected cats usually have only a few of these worms in their heart, but because the cat's heart is very small and the worms are quite large, even 1 or 2 worms can be fatal. Signs of heartworm disease in cats include chronic coughing, wheezing, vomiting, sudden collapse or death. The disease has usually been diagnosed after death with a necropsy (animal autopsy) in the past because there was no blood test for heartworm disease in cats. There is still no effective treatment for cats that have heartworm disease but there are now several blood tests to detect these parasites, though the tests are not 100% reliable for diagnosis in the cat.

Since there is no treatment, and the disease is often fatal, it is important to prevent this disease. Ask your veterinarian whether your cat should be on a heartworm preventative. In some parts of the country a third or more of cats have been exposed to this disease. Outdoor cats are most at risk, but interestingly enough a study of feline heartworm disease in Texas and South Carolina showed that 36% of infected cats were kept totally indoors. Since it takes so few of the heartworm parasites to cause disease in cats, even the occasional mosquito finding its way into the home can carry more than enough heartworm larvae to be fatal.

Mosquitoes carry heartworm disease from infected dogs to other pets, and occasionally to people as well. Heartgard© for cats is a chewable, good tasting tablet your cat should like. It is given as a treat or crumbled in food once a month. The price is quite reasonable, and the medication also helps prevent roundworms and hookworms-common intestinal parasites-as well.

Also available is a product called Revolution. This is a liquid medication that is applied to the skin on the back of a cat’s neck. It is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. It can protect your cat against many parasites, including heartworm, roundworm, fleas, ticks and ear mites! Ask your veterinarian about it.

Cats are exposed to lots of other diseases, so you need to decide on a total health care package for any cat, especially one that goes outside. This will usually include vaccination for Distemper, the upper respiratory diseases and Rabies for all cats, indoors or out. Feline Leukemia vaccination or FIP may also be recommended. Cats going outdoors should also be protected against fleas, if you live in an area where they are a problem, and intestinal parasites, as part of a regular health care program