Discovering worms in your cat’s feces can be unsettling. It’s important to know that intestinal worms are widespread internal parasites affecting both kittens and adult cats, with prevalence rates reaching as high as 45% in the US. While often not immediately life-threatening, a severe worm infestation can pose serious health risks to your feline friend. Recognizing the Symptoms Of Worms In Cats is the first step in ensuring they receive timely and effective treatment.
If you observe worms in your cat’s stool, promptly contact your veterinarian. Providing a photograph or a stool sample can aid in accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial if you notice additional concerning symptoms such as pale gums, labored breathing, vomiting, or loss of appetite, as these could indicate a more serious condition.
worms in cats; a diagram of the different locations of worms in cats.
Understanding the Symptoms of Worms in Cats
The symptoms of worms in cats can vary depending on the type of worm and the severity of the infestation. Often, the signs can be subtle initially and become more pronounced as the worm burden increases. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for prompt treatment and preventing potential complications.
Common Gastrointestinal Worms and Their Symptoms
Gastrointestinal worms are the most frequent culprits in feline worm infestations. These include roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Each type can manifest with slightly different symptoms, though there is considerable overlap.
Roundworms: These are among the most common worms in cats, particularly kittens. Symptoms of roundworms in cats may include:
- Pot-bellied appearance: Especially noticeable in kittens.
- Dull coat: The fur may lose its shine and appear lackluster.
- Weight loss: Despite a normal or increased appetite, the cat may lose weight.
- Vomiting: Sometimes, cats may vomit up roundworms, which resemble spaghetti.
- Diarrhea: Loose stools can be a sign of roundworm infestation.
- Visible worms in feces: You might see adult roundworms in your cat’s stool.
Tapeworms: Tapeworms are another common intestinal parasite, often transmitted through fleas. Symptoms of tapeworms in cats can include:
- Visible tapeworm segments: These segments look like grains of rice and can be seen in the feces, around the anus, or on bedding. They may be mobile when fresh.
- Scooting: Cats may drag their rear end across the floor due to anal irritation caused by tapeworm segments.
- Excessive grooming: Increased licking or grooming around the anal area.
- Occasional vomiting: Tapeworm segments can sometimes be vomited up.
Hookworms: Hookworms are smaller than roundworms and attach to the intestinal wall to feed on blood. Symptoms of hookworms in cats can be more severe, especially in kittens:
- Anemia: Hookworms feeding on blood can lead to anemia, characterized by pale gums, weakness, and lethargy.
- Dark, tarry stools (melena): Digested blood in the stool can cause it to appear black and tarry.
- Diarrhea: Often bloody diarrhea.
- Weight loss: Hookworm infestation can lead to significant weight loss.
- Skin irritation: Hookworm larvae can penetrate the skin, especially through the paws, causing itching and skin lesions, particularly between the toes.
Whipworms: While less common in cats than other worms, whipworms can still occur. Symptoms of whipworms in cats are not always distinct but can include:
- Diarrhea: May be chronic and intermittent.
- Weight loss: In persistent cases.
- Dehydration: Due to chronic diarrhea.
Other Worms Affecting Cats and Their Signs
While gastrointestinal worms are the most prevalent, other types of worms can also affect cats, although less frequently. These include heartworms and lungworms.
Heartworms: Heartworm is a serious parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. While cats are not the typical host for heartworms like dogs, they can still be affected. Symptoms of heartworms in cats can be vague and often mimic other respiratory illnesses:
- Coughing: May be mistaken for asthma or bronchitis.
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing: Heartworms affect the lungs and heart, leading to respiratory distress.
- Vomiting: Non-specific symptom but can be present.
- Lethargy and weight loss: As the disease progresses.
- Sudden death: In severe cases, heartworm can cause sudden death.
Lungworms: Lungworms are parasites that reside in the respiratory tract of cats. Symptoms of lungworms in cats can include:
- Coughing and wheezing: Similar to asthma or bronchitis.
- Difficulty breathing: Varying degrees of respiratory distress.
- Lethargy: Reduced energy levels.
General Symptoms Indicating Worms in Cats
Beyond the specific symptoms associated with each type of worm, several general signs can suggest a worm infestation in cats:
- Vomiting: Especially if worms are present in the vomit.
- Diarrhea: Varying in consistency and sometimes containing blood or mucus.
- Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss despite normal or increased appetite.
- Increased or decreased appetite: Appetite changes can occur.
- Dull coat: Poor coat condition.
- Lethargy: Reduced activity and tiredness.
- Pale gums: Sign of anemia, particularly with hookworm infestation.
- Coughing: Especially with heartworms or lungworms.
- Visible worms in feces or around the anus: Though not always present, this is a clear indicator.
It’s important to remember that some cats, especially those with mild worm infestations, may not show any obvious symptoms at all. This is why regular veterinary check-ups and fecal examinations are crucial for early detection and prevention.
Causes and Transmission of Worms in Cats
Understanding how cats contract worms is essential for prevention. The most common routes of transmission include:
- Mother to kittens: Kittens often acquire roundworms and hookworms from their mother’s milk during nursing.
- Ingestion of eggs from the environment: Worm eggs can contaminate soil, feces, and prey animals. Cats can ingest these eggs when grooming, walking in contaminated areas, or hunting.
- Eating infected prey: Rodents, birds, and other small animals can carry worm larvae or eggs. When cats hunt and consume these animals, they can become infected.
- Flea ingestion: Fleas can carry tapeworm larvae. Cats can ingest fleas while grooming, leading to tapeworm infection.
- Skin penetration: Hookworm larvae can penetrate the skin, particularly through the paws, when cats walk on contaminated soil.
- Mosquito bites: Heartworms are transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
Diagnosing Worms in Cats
Veterinary diagnosis of worms in cats typically involves a fecal examination. Your veterinarian will request a stool sample to identify the presence of worm eggs under a microscope. This fecal floatation test is crucial for accurate worm identification, even if you have observed worms in your cat’s stool. It helps determine the specific type of worm and rule out other parasitic infections. In some cases, blood tests or other diagnostic imaging may be necessary, especially for suspected heartworm or lungworm infections.
Treatment and Deworming for Cats
Treatment for worms in cats is generally effective and involves deworming medications prescribed by your veterinarian. These medications are available in oral, topical, and injectable forms, depending on the type of worm and the cat’s condition.
- Deworming medications: Specific medications target different types of worms. It’s crucial to use the correct medication prescribed by your vet.
- Dosage and schedule: Follow your veterinarian’s instructions precisely regarding dosage and treatment schedule. Some worms require a single treatment, while others necessitate multiple doses over a period.
- Follow-up: Veterinary follow-up visits and repeat fecal examinations are essential to ensure the treatment has been successful and the worms are eradicated.
The cost of deworming varies based on the type of worm, severity of infection, medication, dosage, and your cat’s overall health.
Recovery and Management
The recovery prognosis for cats with worms is generally good, especially with prompt and appropriate treatment. Mildly infected cats typically recover fully within a few weeks. For cats experiencing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite loss, veterinarians may recommend gastrointestinal probiotics to aid digestion and support the immune system. Severely affected cats, particularly those with hookworm or roundworm infections leading to anemia or intestinal blockage, may require more intensive care, including hospitalization, fluid therapy, blood transfusions, and in rare cases, surgery.
Prevention is Key
Preventing worm infestations is always better than treating them. Key preventive measures include:
- Regular deworming: Consult your veterinarian about a routine deworming schedule, especially for kittens and outdoor cats.
- Year-round parasite prevention: Monthly parasite preventatives, often combined to protect against fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms, are highly recommended.
- Clean litter box: Daily scooping and regular litter changes reduce environmental contamination with worm eggs.
- Fecal testing: Routine fecal examinations (twice yearly for indoor cats, four times for kittens and new cats) help detect worms early.
- Flea control: Strict flea control is crucial, especially to prevent tapeworms.
- Limit outdoor exposure: Reducing outdoor access minimizes exposure to worm eggs and infected prey.
- Regular veterinary wellness visits: Routine check-ups allow for early detection and preventive care.
Worms in Cats: Frequently Asked Questions
Will worms in cats disappear on their own?
No, worm infestations require treatment. Untreated worms can persist for months or years, causing ongoing health issues. Veterinary intervention is necessary.
Can I deworm my cat at home using natural remedies?
No safe or effective home remedies exist for deworming cats. Garlic, apple cider vinegar, and other purported natural treatments are ineffective and potentially toxic to cats. Always consult your veterinarian for safe and proven deworming medications.
Are cat worms contagious to humans?
Yes, some cat worms, like roundworms and hookworms, can be zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans. Transmission occurs through ingestion of eggs from contaminated soil or contact with infected cats. Practicing good hygiene, such as daily litter box scooping and handwashing, is crucial.
How can I tell if my cat has worms?
While some symptoms like visible worms or diarrhea can be indicative, the most reliable way to diagnose worms is through a veterinary fecal examination. Schedule a vet visit if you suspect your cat has worms.
By being vigilant about the symptoms of worms in cats and implementing preventive measures, you can protect your feline companion from these common parasites and ensure their long-term health and well-being. If you observe any concerning signs, prompt veterinary consultation is always the best course of action.
WRITTEN BY
Molly Price, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Molly Price has practiced small animal medicine for over 20 years and is a graduate of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She…
