Tailed Intestinal Parasites in Felines: A Veterinary Analysis
Here's a lively, straight-talking, revamped version:
Cats and Their Creepy Crawlies: Roundworms
Roundworms, oh boy, these critters are like the unwelcome guests on the block for your feline pal! Besides cats, did you know over a quarter of them have these parasites? That's right; more than 25% test positive, according to the Crazy Cat Squad.
These roundworms can wreak havoc in a cat's life, especially in kittens and those who love to hang out and hunt. But fear not, treating roundworms is crucial to keep your furry buddy in tip-top shape and stop the spread of these creepy crawlies to the environment.
What the Heck are Roundworms?
Ya see, roundworms are long, round, and parasitic little buggers that camp out in a cat's small intestine. The Toxic Terrors, or Toxocara cati, are the most common pests lurking around. But don't get too comfortable, cause there can be other species too!
How Do Cats Get Infested?
Cats catch them by snarfin' up roundworm eggs from the soil, or by swallowing other critters that are already woodwoose-infested. You know, the usual suspects like birds and rodents. Kittens can even get infected through their mother's milk. But unlike hounds, they can't be infected before birth.
Once those eggs enter a cat's belly, the little parasites make like aliens, traveling through the liver and lungs then ending up back in the small intestine, becoming full-grown worms. The journey can have some unpleasant side effects, like lung disease, stomach upsets causing puking, and intestinal inflammation that leads to diarrhea. But many times, even full-grown cats will be as cool as a cucumber and show no signs of infestation.
Can Humans Inherit the Crazy Cat Bug?
You betcha! Kiddos, especially, are more prone to catching these nasties, particularly through infected soil in parks or playgrounds. Or even in a sandbox where pets have been doin' their business. Parents, watch out, and keep them away from dirty paws and doo-doo! Wash their hands often, too. Cats shed roundworm eggs in their poo, and you don't want to accidentally spread the bug to the fam.
Don't You Wish You Could See the Little Buggers?
Well, adult roundworms can sometimes pop up in a cat's puke, which is pretty gross but can help you figure things out. Look for long, light-tan worms with three prominent lips on one end. But, for the most part, cat owners don't spot roundworms in their cat's poo or vomit.
The eggs are super tiny, microscopic, and can't be seen with the naked eye. So, routine fecal checks for parasites are vital to catch those hiddenInvaders.
Symptoms of Roundworms in Cats
Much of the time, full-grown cats show no symptoms, but there can be trouble if their worm load gets too high. Here's what to watch out for:
- Diarrhea – You might notice that your cat's poop is watery or has mucus.
- Vomiting – Sometimes, your cat might spit up those gross worms.
- Weight loss
- Shabby fur coat
- A pot-bellied appearance
- Lack of energy
- Intestinal blockage
- Sudden death
How to Check for Roundies?
Looking for roundworms in your kitty? Your veterinarian can help! They may run some tests, like:
- A thorough physical exam, including a feel of their belly, checking their weight, and evaluating their fur coat.
- A fecal test – collecting a sample of your cat's poop and checking for those pesky eggs. Finding eggs confirms a roundworm infection. Sometimes, though, false negatives can happen.
- Fecal Antigen Testing – using a sample of your cat's poop to detect an antigen produced by young and adult roundworms. This test is less prone to false negatives than fecal floatation testing.
Roundworm Treatment for Cats
Roundworms can become severe, causing intestinal blockage or even death, particularly in lil' kittens. It's critical to treat roundworm infections for your cat's health, and to prevent spreading those yuckies to other pets and people in the house.
Roundworm treatment usually calls for a prescribed medication for a certain period of time.
Cat Roundworm Medicine
A range of drugs tackles roundworms. Your veterinarian may suggest medications like:
- Fenbendazole
- Milbemycin
- Moxidectin
- Pyrantel pamoate
The dosage and duration of treatment depend on the med and your cat's size. Treatment may need to be repeated every 2-3 weeks to ensure the infection is all cleared.
How Much Does Treatin' Cost?
Lucky for you, treating roundworms in cats is relatively budget-friendly. As the owner, you can anticipate spending between $20 to $75, depending on the med prescribed and the duration of the treatment.
Preventing Roundies in Cats
Wanna stop the roundworm invasion? Here's how:
- Kittens should be dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age, followed by a monthly dewormin' until 6 months of age. Cats over 6 months should receive parasite control products that fight roundworms monthly.
- Cleanin' up the poo promptly and no more catch-and-swallow games can also help keep roundworms at bay.
Related conditions:
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Giardia
- Coccidiosis
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