vets information from Samantha Coe vetbase.co.uk
vets and pets info from vetbase.co.uk vets-info-vetbase
pets small animal vets info vetbase
vets and pets healthcare informationHome | About | Privacy and Terms | Email

Worming Your Cat

Worms are internal parasites which are very common in cats. They may be divided into two types; the roundworm and the tapeworm. Your cat may have worms but not show any signs of a problem; however worms can occasionally cause debility, especially if they are present in large numbers. All cats should be wormed regularly to control these parasites.

Roundworms may be carried by a cat which shows no obvious sign of ill health. However they may sometimes be noticed in a pet's vomit or in faeces. They are about 5-15 cm long, off-white in colour and are sometimes coiled. In kittens they can cause gastrointestinal problems; this most often manifests as vomiting and diarrhoea. In adult cats they do not seem to cause problems very often. Cats catch roundworms from other cats and infected animals will constantly re-infect themselves when they groom around their bottom and tail.

Tapeworms vary in length but can be up to 30 cm long. Usually the worm itself is not seen but the mobile tapeworm segments may be observed around the cat's anal region or on its bedding. They are white in colour and look a bit like grains of rice about 1 cm in length. Tapeworms are not passed from one cat to another but are carried by fleas and small prey mammals such as mice. Therefore tapeworms do not tend to affect kittens but are more of a problem for the adult cat. Cats are especially at risk from tapeworms if they have fleas or they are regular hunters. Housecats kept free of fleas are less at risk from tapeworms. If an adult cat has tapeworms they may not cause any noticeable problems but sometimes they may cause irritation around the anus or diarrhoea.

Ideally your adult cat should be wormed regularly whether you see worms or not. There are a wide range of different products available. Wormers commonly come as tablets, powders or pastes, but there are newer spot-on products available as well. Different products control different worms; some products such as Drontal control roundworms and tapeworms, other products may control either roundworms or tapeworms or both; many of the spot-on preparations control fleas as well as worms. Remember that by controlling fleas you will also help to control tapeworms because they are the most common source of tapeworm infection for the cat. In many situations the spot on products are the easiest to use since it can be very difficult to get a cat to take any medication by mouth.

During pregnancy a cat should be wormed every two weeks in the final third of the gestation period, then after the birth until the kittens are weaned. Speak to your vet about products suitable for use during pregnancy. Kittens will often get roundworms from their mother so they should be wormed with a product such as Panacur from around 6 weeks of age. Treat them every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old then monthly until they are 6 months old. After this treat them as adults. If you see roundworms in a young kitten it would be advisable to see your vet as they may have a very heavy infestation. As adults, cats who hunt frequently or that often have fleas will need to be wormed more frequently than cats that spend most of their time indoors and don't suffer from fleas; but as a rough guide the average cat should be wormed every three months. Ask your vet for a product suitable for your cat and worm at an interval suitable for your cat and the product you use.



vets and pets info from vetbase.co.uk
Sam's Blog
vets and pets info
Cats
Abscess
Acne
Allergic Skin Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Benefits of cats
Bites
Choosing a cat
Ear Mites
Fleas
Fur Balls
Kidney Failure
Neutering
Osteoarthritis
Pancreatic insufficiency
Rodent Ulcer
Roundworms
Skin parasites
Socialisation of Kittens
Tapeworms
Teeth and Diet
Toxoplasmosis
Traumatic Arthritis in Cats
Vaccines
Worming
Dental Care
New Home
Vomiting
vets and pets info
Dogs
vets and pets info
Food Animals
vets and pets info
Hamsters
vets and pets info
Rabbits
vets and pets info
Rats
vets and pets info
Recommended Books
vets and pets info
Complementary Therapies
vets and pets info
General
vets and pets info
Poisons
vets and pets info
Directory
vets and pets info
vets and pets info
Interesting Videos
vets and pets info
Pet Behaviour
vets and pets info
Basics of Pet Nutrition
vets and pets info
What is ringworm?
Is it fair to keep a dog outside?
Should my pet be neutered?
My pet died, can I find out why?
How often should my pet visit the vet?
Should I brush my pet's teeth?
When should my puppy be vaccinated?
Why does my pet rub his bottom along the floor?
At what age should my kitten be vaccinated?
My pet died, what should I do with the body?

© Samantha J. Coe 2005-2021 | Terms and Conditions |
All Rights Reserved | Content is provided for information only. All content on vetbase.co.uk is protected by copyright and therefore may not be copied without specific written permission from the author. Disclaimer: The content of this website is based upon the opinions of Samantha Coe, unless otherwise stated. Individual articles, extracts, and any links to external sites are based upon the opinions of the respective author(s), who may retain copyright. The information on this website is not intended to replace a consultation with a qualified veterinary professional and is not intended as medical advice. The purpose of this site is the sharing of knowledge and information - Samantha Coe encourages you to make informed healthcare decisions for animals in your care based upon your research and in consultation with your vet.