Worms
Get the inside story on worms in cats
Intestinal Worms
Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but even the most sanitary conditions won’t guarantee your cat is protected from intestinal worms. Easily picked up from the environment, these nasty little worms make a home in your furry friend’s intestinal tract, leading to a range of health issues. With very few visible symptoms, they frequently pass from mothers to new-born litters, often laying dormant until times of stress.
The facts about roundworm
They’re easier to pick up than you think
Roundworm eggs exist in the faeces of infected cats, contaminating the environment (litter trays, soil, sandpits) and in infected rodents. Your cat may become infected if they ingest these eggs. Kittens can become infected with roundworm by drinking their infected mothers milk.
They’re easier to pick up than you think
Once these intestinal parasites set up home in your cat, they tend to be quiet house guests. Without detection, they can stunt growth in kittens, cause anaemia, diarrhoea, vomiting and more extreme health issues like pneumonia.
They can be transmitted to humans
Roundworm eggs can be transmitted to humans through interaction with an infected cat and their environment.
TIPS FOR PREVENTING INTESTINAL WORMS
Dispose of cat faeces appropriately
It’s extremely important to dispose of cat faeces appropriately, from litter trays, yards and playgrounds. Once contaminated, an environment can harbour eggs for long periods.
Use Bravecto Plus for Cats
Bravecto Plus provides long-lasting protection against fleas, ticks as well as treatment of roundworm, lungworm and ear mites.
Maintain strict personal hygiene in adults and children
Even if faeces are not visible, microscopic eggs can still be present. Avoid directly contacting potentially contaminated environments and ensure all family members wash their hands thoroughly after playing outdoors or with pets.
Types of worms
Roundworms
These unwelcome guests are the most common intestinal parasites to take up residence inside our furry friends. It’s believed almost all cats will be infected with them at some point, often as kittens. Ungracious as they are, these little squirmers can grow up to 12.5 cms long as adults, staying alive by stealing food from their host’s intestines.
lungworms
Lungworm can reside in the lungs of infected cats. Eggs develop to larvae and migrate up the windpipe and are swallowed to be excreted in the faeces. Reinfection of the cat occurs by the ingestion of the intermediate hosts, snails and slugs. Cats may also become infected by the ingestion of mice and birds. Some infected cats will not show any signs and in moderate infections it may induce coughing and anorexia. Severe infections can be associated with coughing, breathing difficulties and in some cases may be fatal.
Life cycle of a gastrointestinal worm*
*Applies to roundworm
Eggs
A female worm deposits eggs into the intestines of a host, which are then carried through the faeces of an infected animal or, in the case of roundworm they may also be transmitted from mum to kitten through the milk.
Transmission
Transmission occurs through ingestion of embryonated infective eggs in the environment, via ingestion of infected rodents or from mother to kitten through her milk.
Maturation
After a few weeks, the larvae return to the intestine and mature into adult worms. The adult worms begin to reproduce, passing eggs in the faeces and completing the life cycle.
The risks of leaving your cat untreated
Often playing the role of quiet house guests within a host, intestinal worms can be hard to spot. Keep a watchful eye out for tell-tale signs and contact your local vet at the first sign of any symptoms:
- Your cat isn’t gaining weight, suffers from weight loss or diarrhoea
- Their coat is dull or in poor condition
- They appear pot-bellied, or have decreased appetite
- They suffer from vomiting or lethargy
- They have a cough
To ensure the ongoing health and happiness of your cat, the simplest and easiest way to treat against intestinal worms is a regular routine of Bravecto Plus for Cats.
BRAVECTO QUANTUM requires vet authorisation, ACVM no: A011993. Bravecto ACVM No’s: A011019, A011261 & A011446.