A study mentioned that there is less information about the prevalence of parasitism in cats. However, it is believed that around 20 to 40% of felines living in Europe are afflicted with this condition. Additionally, 50.7% of these cats are found to be positive for at least one internal parasite species.
To make matters worse, certain internal parasites, such as certain types of cat worms, are transmissible to humans. Thus, protecting your feline friend from these bloodsuckers is important for both of your safety.
3 Types of Worms in Cats and Their Symptoms
The most common intestinal parasites in cats are hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm. We will discuss how they are passed on from felines to humans as well as their accompanying symptoms.
1. Hookworms
Common signs of this cat worm include:
- Rashes and severe itchiness in infected areas
- Red, bumpy, vein-like tracks visible on the skin’s surface
- Diarrhoea
- Anaemia
- Weight loss
2. Roundworms
These eggs are so small that they are invisible to the human eye. The infected cat may, for example, lick her rear end and then lick your face or hand. And when you touch your mouth with your fingers, the infestation will develop.
There are two kinds of roundworm infestations. For ocular larva migrans, which is when the roundworm has entered the eye, the symptoms may include:
- Reduced visual clarity
- Presence of floaters
- Squinting
- Discomfort when the affected eye is exposed to light
- Pain in the affected eye
- Bloodshot look
- The eye becomes misaligned (strabismus)
- Loss of vision (in severe cases)
With visceral larva migrans, the roundworm larvae have affected the lungs, liver, or nervous system. Signs of this infection may include:
- Itchy skin
- Fever
- Pain in the abdomen
- Cough accompanied by wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Enlarged liver
3. Tapeworms
Tapeworms have hook-like mouthparts that allow them to anchor themselves on a cat’s intestines and feed.
As indicated by their name, they have flattened bodies, making them look like ribbons. Once they reach maturity, segmented parts of their body break off and are passed in feline faeces. They resemble grains of rice or cucumber seeds.
This type of cat worm infection usually happens via ingestion and primarily affects the intestines. Transmission to humans happens when they unknowingly ingest substances that are contaminated by cat waste infested with tapeworm eggs.
An example would be when an infected cat sleeps on the owner’s bed. The eggs shed by the feline may come in contact with the human body and later enter through the mouth. Infestation symptoms of this intestinal worm, which may take years to appear, may include:
- Dizziness
- Craving for salt
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Appetite loss
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weakness
- Weight loss
Malnutrition due to insufficient absorption of nutrients
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Treating and Preventing Cat Worm Infection
To treat worms in cats, a veterinarian will prescribe oral medications taken for a specific number of days to kill and flush out the parasites from the body.
For humans, regular check-ups at certain intervals will be done by your GP to make sure that your body is clear of worm infestations. This is especially the case with tapeworms as the medicines target the worm and not the eggs. Regular faecal exams will determine whether the treatment has cleared all eggs.
The key to preventing cat worm transmission is good hygiene. Generally, you and your household should:
- Wash hands after petting cats, especially with felines confirmed to be infested by worms.
- Avoid kissing or letting intestinal worm-infested cats lick you in the face.
- Limit your pet’s exposure outdoors.
- Always keep her litter tray
- Avoid walking barefoot on the ground where your cat potties outside.
- Wear gloves when you work in the garden.
- Do not allow an infested cat to lie on your bed or other furniture that you frequently use.
When Your Feline Has Cat Worms
Typically, intestinal worms in cats are similar to human parasitic infestation. They tend to feel weak and have pain in their stomach area, blood in their faeces, diarrhoea, and bloated appearance.
When your cat has been diagnosed with a parasitic infection, have her dewormed by a veterinarian immediately. The vet will need to monitor the worming treatments, and that means multiple visits to the animal clinic.
You will also need to disinfect the cat’s bedding, other gear, and areas where she has lain or come in contact with.
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FAQs About Cat Worms
1. How Do Cats Get Worms?
Cats can get worms in multiple ways, but some of the most common are:
- Direct contact with surfaces or items with worm larvae.
- Exposure to host insects of cat worms, such as fleas.
- Utero transmission of cat worms from a queen to her kittens.
How Do I Tell If My Cat Has Worms?
You can tell if your cat has worms through visible hints, such as segmented grain-like specks in her poop. However, certain parasite infestations are invisible to the naked eye until they become severe.
If you think that your feline friend has worms, the best way to confirm your suspicion is by letting a veterinarian run a faecal test.
3. How Often to Worm Adult Cats?
In general, adult cats need to be dewormed every 3 to 6 months or as recommended by a vet. Some of the factors to be considered are their frequency of spending time outdoors and the prevalence of cat worms in the area they live in.
4. Can Humans Get Worms From Cats?
As mentioned earlier, humans can get worms from cats, so pet owners need to be careful when handling worm-infested felines. For instance, wash your hands before and after touching your pet and do not allow her to lick your face.
Conclusion
Cat worms present a danger to both felines and their human companions. A worm-infested pet needs to be given proper treatment right away to reduce the risk of transmission.
Pet owners must isolate worm-infested cats for the same reason until they complete their treatment to avoid the recurrence of the condition. Most of all, always observe proper hygiene to keep yourself safe from catching these icky bloodsuckers.