Symptoms of worms in cats
Symptoms of worms in cats vary according to the type of worm and the severity of the infection, but the most common signs are:
Diarrhea with or without blood
Breathing difficulty
constipation
Vomiting, sometimes with worms in it
The appearance of worms in the stool
Weight loss
flatulence
Increased appetite
skin lesions
Poor body condition
As the infection progresses, the following symptoms appear
Weakness
Drought
Pale lips and gums due to anemia
Shock
Reduction of Blood pressure
Death in severe cases
Types of worms in cats
The most common types of worms in cats are
Hookworms, the symptoms of which are bloody diarrhea, poor appetite, weight loss, pale lips, gums, and skin lesions, if the larvae penetrate the skin, pass through the tissues, and if they penetrate the lungs; Cats cough
Tapeworms. Cats may not show any symptoms, but you may notice wormy segments, which look like white grains of rice, in and around the anus, under the tail, or over the stool in the litter box.
Whipworms, which can be completely asymptomatic, but in severe cases may cause bloody diarrhea of the large intestine, weight loss, dehydration, and anemia
Ringworms, where infection occurs by swallowing feces contaminated with worms, or feeding on infected mice, and their average length ranges from 7 to 12 centimeters, and they eliminate any food in the cat’s stomach
There are a number of less common worms, but they cause serious health problems that may lead to the death of the infected cat
Lung worms
Stomach worms
Bladder worms
heartworms
Methods of prevention and treatment of worms in cats
The veterinarian may prescribe an oral or injection antihelminthic drug, as it will kill adult worms and larvae in the intestine, at the time of diagnosis, and broad-spectrum drugs such as (pyrantel, praziquantel, fenbendazole) can be used; For the treatment of whipworm, roundworm, and tapeworm infections, according to the dose determined by the doctor, who may recommend that the cat start taking topical or oral medications monthly; For the prevention of fleas, since there is a possibility of recurring tapeworm infections
There are many (home remedies) that can be used to treat worms, including apple cider vinegar, pumpkin seeds, carrots, turmeric, and garlic, but it is never recommended to resort to them without consulting a veterinarian.
:Methods of prevention
Worm infestations in cats are prevented through good hygiene practices and daily litter box cleaning to reduce exposure to contaminated feces.
