Your Cat's Parasites, the Insiders

Unfortunately, parasite problems are more than skin deep. Forty-five percent of cats have had some type of parasite invade their body. These range from worms that grow several centimeters long to protozoa, tiny invaders visible only under a microscope.

For example roundworms, or Taxocara cati, the most common internal parasites, live in cats' intestines and grow to be 7 to 12 centimeters long. They attack cats that eat infected rodents or the stool of an infected animal. Mother cats can pass them to kittens through milk. Untreated roundworms can cause intestinal blockage, which ultimately can lead to serious complications including death.

Hookworks can grow up to be about 2 centimeter long and live most of their lives in cats' intestines. Although larvae can penetrate skin, cats more commonly pick them up from infected stool.

Findings are not yet clear whether or not cats can become infected by eating a contaminated rodent or through their mother's milk. Signs of hookworms include a dull coat; black, tarry stool (due to blood); and a distended belly. Cats with hookworms need immediate treatment to avoid potentially lethal problems that can arise from anemia.

Tapeworms, are long, segmented worms which are very common, especially in Thailand, where fleas are prevalent year-round. Cats can be infected by two species: Dipylidium caninum, from ingesting an infected flea, and Taenia taeniaeformis, from eating infected mice and rats. Adult live in the small intestine. When egg-containing segments mature, they break off and leave the cat's body. These segments, which look like grains of rice, can irritate the cats anus. Some veterinarians would rather not treat tapeworms, saying the parasite and the cat coexist fine together.

Our opinion is to seek another veterinarian if he refuses to help, even though tapeworms rarely cause disease in host cats, the sight of these worms crawling around their cat's rectal area disgusts most cat owners. More importantly proper treatment of the infected cat and prevention of flea and rodent infestations will decrease the prevalence of tapeworms in the environment and lessen the risk of infection to humans.

The Ollanuslus tricuspis stomach worm, Cats become infected by this stomach worm after consuming the infected vomit of another cat. Chronic vomiting, weight loss and decreased appetite signal an infection. Indoor cats will be saved the trouble of acquiring this worm. This parasite is diagnosed by checking the vomit of the ailing feline for larvae.

Another, and more rare stomach worm is the Physaloptera, this stomach worm can infect cats that ingest an infected bug, mouse or rat. Vomiting and loss of appetite are signs of it. Diagnosis is made by stool sample.

The Coccidia, although this one-celled intestinal parasite generally won't harm adult cats, it can make kittens seriously ill by destroying the intestinal lining, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration.

Coccidia tends to be under diagnosed, especially when the cat or kitten is not showing signs of severe diarrhea, says a veterinarian medical researcher. This is a problem because these cats are carriers and potential spreaders of the disease. Have a new cat tested for the protozoan before introducing it to your other pets.

Another one-celled parasite called Giardia lives in the small intestine and interferes with your cat's ability to process food, possibly causing it to lose wieght. Giardia can cause dehydration to the point of death in cats that are unhealthy to begin with, most cats respond well to medication.