Symptoms of Cat Worms:
- Visible worms in cat feces or stuck in cat fur around the anus.
- Bloody Diarrhea
- Weight loss and weakness
- Vomiting
Kittens are more susceptible to tapeworms and require prompt treatment. Toxocara cati is a type of tapeworm which is passed on through the milk of the queen (mother) to her kittens. Blood tests and fecal examinations can help determine the type of worms or parasites in cats.
Cat Worming Treatment:
Some worming medications can treat two or more types of worms while others treat only one specific type. Cat worming medications are available as tablets, liquids and even injections. Over the counter drugs might not be as effective as prescribed medication as they may not completely kill the worms.
Common Worming Medicines:
- Droncit: It contains Praziquantel which kills tapeworms in cats over the age of 6 weeks.
- Drontal Cat All Wormer: Consists of Praziquantel and Pyrantel which effectively kills all intestinal worms in cats and kittens.
- Milbemax for Cats and Kittens: Contains Milbemycin oxime and praziquantel which treats mixed infections like roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms and prevents heartworm disease.
- Interceptor Flavor Tabs for Cats: Contains Milbemycin oxime to protect cats from heartworms and remove hookworms and round worms. It is safe for cats and kittens over 6 weeks of age.
- Advantage Multi for Cats: Contains imidacloprid and moxidectin. It treats and controls hookworms and roundworms and prevents heartworm disease. It should not be used on cats under 9 weeks of age or less than 2 lbs body weight.
- Revolution: Contains selamectin used to treat roundworms and hookworms in cats and kittens over 8 weeks of age.
- Droncit Injection: Contains praziquantel to treat tapeworms in cats.
Remember to read dosage and package instructions carefully before you treat your cat.
Worms Infecting Humans
- Roundworms can affect humans, particularly children who ingest their eggs. The eggs hatch in the intestines and become immature roundworms.
- Tapeworm infections in humans are rare and occur when people ingest fleas that contain tapeworm larvae.
- People may also come in contact with cat hookworm larvae through cat litter or contaminated soil. The larvae pass through a few layers of skin and cause inflammation.
- It is necessary to take precautions and treat your cat for fleas and worms. Maintain hygienic surroundings and remember to wash your hands after touching your pets. There are both synthetic and holistic or homoeopathic medications available to treat worms. After appropriate diagnosis you will know which drug will best suit your cat's worm problem.
Treat your cat promptly and regularly to have a prolonged effect against worms.