Deworming of cats
Cats are constantly at risk of becoming infected with worms. How often a cat should receive a treatment for worms depends primarily on its individual living circumstances. Some pets require deworming much more often than others.
How can cats get infected with worms?
There are various ways in which a cat can become infected with worms. These are related to, among other things, its age, its individual living circumstances, and the different types of worms. Cats that are allowed outside are most at risk, because they often come into contact with other cats, they sniff all kinds of things, and they may eat prey that is infected with worms.
The following forms of transmission are particularly common:
- Via their mother’s milk
- Eating prey that is infected with worms
- Contact with contaminated faeces or vomit
- Consumption of fleas while grooming
- A shared litter tray
- Sniffing / licking other cats
- Raw meat and offal
What types of worms occur in cats?
Cats are not only affected by one type of worm, but by a variety of different ones: the most common are roundworms. They can reach a length of up to ten centimetres and are often transmitted by sniffing faeces or dead animals. Also common are tapeworms, which are ingested by eating prey. They can be up to 60 centimetres long. Less common is an infestation with flea tapeworms. These develop in fleas and can enter a cat’s organism when it cleans its fur. Here they can grow to a length of up to 80 centimetres. Cats only rarely get infested with fox tapeworms, which only grow to a few millimetres in size. Transmission usually occurs through infected prey.
How can I tell if my cat has worms?
Vets estimate that around 25 percent of all cats are infected with worms. Cats are able to tolerate having worms as long as they have a robust immune system and the infestation is moderate. However, especially in young kittens, cats who are ill, and older cats, there is an increased risk of the worms multiplying significantly and endangering the health of the animal. Any possible infection should therefore be checked out by a vet.
The following symptoms may indicate that your cat has worms:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Itching
- Problems with the skin and fur
- Upset stomach
- Weight loss
Visiting the vet
Although you can order deworming products online, you should avoid giving your cat medicines that it may not need until there is a conclusive diagnosis. The symptoms are very varied, so your cat may well be suffering from a different medical condition. If you suspect that your cat has worms, you should always plan a visit to the vet first. They will examine your pet and if they have the same suspicion, they will give you three tubes for a stool sample. You will have to collect samples of your cat’s faeces over a period of three consecutive days and then take these to the vet. The faeces will then be examined to identify any possible parasites.
Deworming of cats
If your cat has been diagnosed with worms, the vet will recommend a suitable treatment. On average, this will cost between ten and twenty euros. Most deworming products work against several types of worms. They are usually in the form of tablets or a paste. They can simply be given to the cat in its food. It is important to observe the correct dosage. This should neither be too low nor too high. As soon as the cat has swallowed the medication, it will start to work in the intestine. Both the worms and their larval stages will be destroyed. This usually occurs within a period of 24 to 72 hours. The cat will then be worm-free for the time being.
Sadly, being treated for worms does not have the same effect as a vaccination that provides protection for one or more years. After deworming, a cat can become re-infected with worms within a few days. It does, however, take a few weeks for any eggs or larvae ingested to develop into worms and multiply to the extent that they could once again become a problem for the cat. In order to provide an intermediate solution, regular deworming every three months is recommended for cats that are allowed outside and cats with an increased risk of contracting worms. For indoor cats, a six-month interval is enough. As an alternative, a worm test can be carried out. If the results are negative, there will be no need for a deworming treatment, which, after all, may have an impact on the cat’s intestinal flora.
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