Symptoms of cat worms

Worm infestation in cats is common and requires prompt treatment to protect your cat from various ailments. Therefore, in this article, we present the symptoms of worms in cats, such as vomiting, diarrhea, gingivitis, and many more.

Cat worms are a type of parasite that infects cats, living inside them and feeding off the nutrients they need to survive. However, this, of course, negatively impacts cats' health. These worms can also be transmitted to humans, causing various problems. Cats of any age can become infected with these worms.

The importance of knowing the symptoms of cat worms and how to treat them

Knowing the symptoms of cat worms is important for every cat owner, as quickly identifying them can help save a cat's life and prevent the worms from multiplying, thus reducing the complications caused by the worms and protecting the cat from various diseases.

How do you know if your cat has worms?

Worms are a common problem for many cats. The most common type is tapeworm, which a cat picks up from its mother during breastfeeding. Adult cats pick them up through contaminated food and water. If you're curious to know whether your cat has worms, here are a few symptoms that indicate your cat has worms.

frequent vomiting

Frequent vomiting in cats is a sign of worms. Cats may also vomit if they eat foods they cannot digest, but this is usually an emergency. Significantly frequent vomiting is a strong indication that your cat has worms. Frequent vomiting may also be a sign of other illnesses, so it's best to consult a doctor to determine the cause and how to treat it.

tarry stools

Cats infected with worms often have tarry stools, which are dark, black in color. This color indicates that the cat is losing a lot of blood due to hookworms, as these worms suck blood from the capillaries in the intestines.

diarrhea

Persistent diarrhea in cats is one of the most important symptoms of cat worms. It indicates that the worms have taken up space in the cat's digestive tract and are interfering with the digestive process. If diarrhea, with or without blood, persists in cats for more than 24 hours, Lana Veterinary Clinic should be consulted immediately for appropriate treatment.

cat gums

A cat's normal gums are similar to those of humans and tend toward pink. However, if the gums are pale and white, this indicates anemia, which is most often caused by cat worms. Therefore, it is recommended to consult Lana Clinic for appropriate treatment to rid your cat of worms.

pale fur

Pale fur is one of the most important symptoms of cat worms. If your cat's previously shiny, healthy fur begins to turn pale, it could be a sign of worm infestation. This occurs as a result of poor nutrient absorption and inflammation of the intestinal lining, as the worms take up a large amount of space in the intestine.

general weakness

One of the most significant symptoms of cat worms is a general poor body condition. For example, a feeling of lethargy, lack of energy, and an inability to move or play is common. This is because worms prevent oxygen from reaching the muscles, sapping the cat's energy and leaving it feeling generally weak.

weight loss

Weight loss is one of the most common symptoms of cat worms. Worms feed on cat food, leaving little for cats to digest, leading to weakness and weight loss. Worm infestations also reduce a cat's appetite, which can also lead to weight loss. However, weight loss can be due to other causes, so it's important to consult with your veterinarian to determine the cause of your cat's weight loss and treat the problem.

bloating

Abdominal bloating is a sign of worm infestation, so it's also important to consult Lana's vets to check on your cat and get rid of this annoying problem.

The effects of cat worms on animal health and the environment

If cat worms are left untreated, they multiply and spread widely, causing many complications such as:

Malnutrition and its various effects on cats' health.
Anemia
Intestinal obstructions are life-threatening and may cause death in cats.

Therefore, it is important to be well aware of the symptoms of cat worms and treat them before they multiply and thus control potential complications.

How to protect your cat from worms and prevention methods

Cats getting worms is common, but there are some tips you can follow to protect your cat from getting worms, including:

Protect cats by all means from flea infestation, as fleas are one of the most important causes of tapeworms, which are the most common worms that infect cats and cause them many problems.
Ensure the litter box is clean daily by removing clumps and changing the litter completely every now and then to prevent the growth of bacteria, insects, and worms.
Make sure to give your cat all vaccinations to protect it from worms and other pathogens.
Make sure to provide clean food and drink to cats in order to protect them from various health problems.
Do not let your cat hunt rodents as this exposes it to tapeworm infection.
Avoid contact with other infected animals.

Symptoms of cat worms, their effects on humans, and prevention

Symptoms of cat worms are numerous and include weight loss, poor appetite, binge eating, a bloated belly, lack of energy, diarrhea, vomiting, poor coat condition, dehydration, and anemia, which manifests as pale gums and lips, low blood pressure, and itching in the excretory area. It is important to note that the type and severity of symptoms depend on the type of worm the cat has. For example, some cats are infected with certain types of worms and do not show symptoms, while others exhibit the symptoms we mentioned, which can be severe and life-threatening.

Cat worms are harmful to humans. Therefore, avoid direct contact with cat litter. Instead, wear gloves and a mask and wash your hands immediately after handling the litter. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not advised to handle cat litter to reduce the risk of worm infection, as it is more dangerous to their health. Care should also be taken to ensure that cats are vaccinated against these worms, and to ensure regular cleaning of the area to create a healthy and clean environment.

Treating cat worms at home

There are many ways to treat cats at home. For example, apple cider vinegar is used to create an acidic environment in the intestines, which helps kill worms. Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar can be mixed with cat food twice a day. However, it's best to consult Lana Clinic before using home remedies to treat your cat's worms to avoid any potential harm.

Treating cat worms from a human pharmacy

Cat worms can be treated at a human pharmacy by purchasing deworming medications. The most popular of these medications is Vermizole, which eliminates worms and cleanses the intestines.

Steps to know if your cat has worms?

If you want to see the symptoms of cat worms to confirm that your cat is infected, here are the steps to help you do that:

Look for worms in the cat's feces or vomit. The worms may be whole or parts of them.
Look for worms in the anus, as they are found in the hair around this area.
If your cat's fur is dull, matted, or wavy, it may be due to worms.
Check your cat's gums, if they are pale that is another sign.
Some cats need to have tests done to confirm whether they have worms or not.

cat worms shape

Now that we've learned about the symptoms of cat worms, we emphasize that there are different forms of cat worms, as their appearance varies depending on the species. Here are the most common types and shapes of worms:

Roundworms: This type of worm looks like spaghetti and is long and straight.
Tapeworms: These are flat, rectangular worms with interlocking sections like grains or seeds.
Whipworms: Long, thin worms.
Hookworms: These worms have hook-like teeth to hold onto the lining of the intestine, and are cylindrical in shape.
Lungworms: These are long, thin worms that move in a wavy motion.
Bladder worms: These are small, long, straight, or twisted worms.
Liver flukes: These are flat, leaf-like worms.

Are cat worms dangerous?

Although most cases of cat worms are mild and don't cause serious symptoms, they can sometimes be severe and cause life-threatening complications. Therefore, it's important to bring your cat to Lana Clinic for appropriate treatment.

Are cat worms contagious to humans?

Yes, cat worms can certainly be transmitted to humans and cause various problems. Some types of cat worms don't cause problems for the cat or cause symptoms, but when they are transmitted to humans, they can cause numerous problems.

Cat worms are transmitted to the skin through direct contact with infected feces and can also be transmitted through food and drink contaminated with cat worm eggs.

Cat roundworm eggs shape

Cat tapeworm eggs are often in the form of rice grains or sesame seeds and are found in cat feces and vomit.

Treating cat worms with garlic

Some people believe that garlic is an effective treatment for cat worms, but doctors do not recommend its use because garlic is toxic to cats and can cause various problems.

Treating cat worms with cloves

Cat worms can be treated with cloves, which are anti-worm and anti-parasitic and can be added to cat food and water. Anise can also be used, as it stimulates the digestive system and helps cleanse the intestines of worms. Some also use chamomile and other herbs used to treat cat worms.

The most common types of worms that infect cats

There are different types of worms that infect cats. Here are some of them:

Roundworms: These are among the most common types and are found in cats as hosts throughout their life cycle. They are transmitted orally to the cat's digestive system, where they then release eggs in their feces to infect other cats. These worms are often ingested by rodents such as mice. Roundworms range in length from 7 to 12 cm and feed on the cat's digested food, preventing the cat from getting enough nutrients and causing numerous problems.
Tapeworms: These worms live in the intestines of cats and reproduce prolifically. Cats become infected when they ingest fleas infected with tapeworm eggs or hunt rodents such as mice. Tapeworms live in the large intestine and their eggs are excreted in cat feces as grains similar to rice.
Hookworms: These worms are tiny, measuring less than 15 mm, and are difficult to see with the naked eye. They feed on blood, attaching themselves to the cat's intestines and sucking blood, causing anemia and other ailments in cats and making them weak. Cats become infected with these worms when their larvae enter the skin via fleas and other insects, or by eating contaminated food or ingesting fleas. The worms multiply inside cats, causing numerous problems.
Whipworms: They don't infect cats often and are more common in dogs. When they do infect cats, they live in the large intestine but usually don't cause serious illness.

Vaccinations to prevent worms in cats

Lana Veterinary Clinic recommends that cats be given all vaccinations to protect against bacteria and worms. Vaccinations for kittens begin at 45 days of age and continue periodically every two months. Vaccinations for cats are given regularly every two months.

In short, the symptoms of cat worms are numerous and include vomiting, diarrhea, tarry stools, and other symptoms that vary depending on the type of worm. Worms are transmitted from cats to humans and cause various diseases. They also cause severe weakness in cats and can sometimes be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to consult a veterinarian at Lana Veterinary Clinic to prescribe the necessary treatment. Worm prevention measures should also be followed, such as vaccinating cats, not letting them hunt rodents, and maintaining good hygiene to prevent them from contracting insects that can cause these worms.