- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Want to stay informed about anything unexpected you may encounter regarding your cat’s health? Unfortunately, you just may have to venture into a world of gross things…like worms. Specifically roundworms.
Roundworms are very common in both cats and dogs, so it’s likely you’ll encounter them at some point during your pet-owning adventures. Also called Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati, this parasite affects 25% to 75% of cats, with a much higher rate in kittens, according to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The worms can range from three to five inches long and live in the cat’s intestine where they live off of whatever the “host” is consuming (ew!).
According to PetMD, it’s not necessarily the worms you have to worry about so much as the diseases they can cause. The main disease that roundworms are known for is called Ascariasis, and it can lead to a plethora of issues in an infected cat—particularly in kittens and cats with compromised immune systems.
We’ve gathered up the essential information you’ll need to recognize, treat and hopefully prevent this super-disgusting parasite—which is all too common in our cute, four-legged friends.
How do cats catch roundworms?
There are a few ways that cats tend to pick up this nasty little fiend, but here are the most common:
1. From their mother. Lots of kittens and puppies are born with roundworms since it can pass to them in utero, or they can get it at a very young age through nursing. Plus, if even one newborn gets roundworms, the rest of the litter is likely to get infected as well.
2. From something in their environment. Unfortunately, cats can get this parasite from accidentally ingesting roundworm eggs from soil, grass, plants or other things around them.
3. From eating infected animals/prey. Cats can become infected by eating eggs, rodents, or other animals that have been infected.
Symptoms of a roundworm infection
The following symptoms can show up in cats with roundworms:
- Abdominal swelling
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Abnormal poop/diarrhea
- Coughing (larvae can migrate to the lungs)
- Malnourishment
- Actual worms in vomit or poop (yuck!)
If the condition is left untreated it can turn into something serious, like life-threatening anemia or even stomach rupture (in extreme cases).
Via Pixabay
How are roundworms diagnosed & treated?
There are a few ways that a medical professional will be able to tell if your kitty is infected with roundworms. Sometimes they will judge by a cat’s swollen abdominal region or other symptoms, but often they take a fecal swab and check for the presence of roundworm eggs.
Generally, kitties dealing with roundworms can be given specific drugs to kill roundworms and their larvae. This “worming” medication is important because it helps get the cat healthy and also helps prevent them from contaminating the rest of their (and your) environment, like other pets.
In severe cases of roundworms, sometimes surgery is necessary to really eradicate the parasite.
Do cats typically respond well to treatment?
According to multiple sources, cats do generally respond well to treatment, though you’re going to want to bring them back to the vet often for repeat fecal examinations to make sure all of the pesky parasite is gone. Reinfection is common in felines, so you’ll need to take special care to keep your pet healthy.
Via Pixabay
Are roundworms dangerous for humans?
Not to scare you, but yes—roundworms can infect people. According to Pet Health Network, people only ever end up hosting immature, migrating larvae, but we’re not ideal hosts, so they never turn into adult worms.
But don’t let that be too much of a comfort. it’s the larvae that produce illness, and humans can end up with fever, abdominal pain, and trouble breathing. The larvae can travel all through the body and organs and can cause blindness if they migrate to a person’s eyes.
There are ways you can help cut down your risk of contracting this parasite. Treat any pet that has roundworms, and make sure that ALL of the pet poop in your life is quickly scooped up and disposed of. Make sure to wash children’s hands regularly (I mean, that’s always a good idea), especially if they’re playing around areas where dogs have been hanging out or with the cat litter.
Preventing your cat from getting roundworms
Though it’s tough to completely prevent your kitty from getting worms since it’s so common, there are some ways that can at least increase your odds of keeping them healthy:
- Get a quality dewormer from your vet that will safely and effectively get rid of the worms
- Talk with your vet about any concerns you may have regarding the health of your cat (knowledge is power!)
- Try to prevent your kitty from hunting and eating rodents and other small animals that may be infected
- Dispose of pet poop right away
