Did you discover that your cat has tapeworms? Don’t panic! It happens very often and we are here to help you get rid of them and prevent any other infection in the future. In reality, dealing with tapeworms in cats is not that difficult.
First, do you know what these parasites are exactly?
What are tapeworms?
Tapeworms are intestinal parasites, look like very thin, long, and flat white worms. They can grow up to 20 inches. Tapeworms contain both male and female reproductive organs so they can multiply on their own. Also, they use their hook-like mouthpart to anchor to the wall of the cat’s small intestine. Tapeworms are considered very dangerous to the cats if they are not treated on time.
How do cats get infected with Tapeworms?
Cats can pick them up very easily. The most likely way to contract them is by accidentally eating tapeworm larvae while grooming and swallowing the infected fleas. Once the cat has the flea in its intestine, the tapeworm larvae begins to grow into an adult tapeworm. Moreover, cats can get tapeworms by eating small animals such as mice, squirrels, etc.
Signs and Symptoms
How will you notice the tapeworms in your cat?
One of the signs that shows that you might need to treat your cat for tapeworm is unexplained weight loss. Vomiting and diarrhea are also clinical signs that your cat has this infection and cats can even vomit a long and adult tapeworm. Also, you might spot segments of the tapeworms in the cat’s feces.
If your cat has this parasite, you will notice the worms, they are small ‘grains’, cream in color, that look like rice. Most likely it can be found in the fur near the cat’s anus or in its litter box. Those are tapeworm egg segments that can cause excessive itching around the anal area. However, sometimes it can be very difficult to spot them in cats since they are always grooming themselves. Thus, if your cat is licking its anus area more often, it can be a sign that your feline friend is infected.
Due to the high risk of contracting tapeworms, your vet might suggest treatment for tapeworms, even though they find only fleas in your cat’s fur.
How to treat your cat for tapeworms?
Treating cats for tapeworms can be easily done, especially if this unpleasant infection is caught in its early stages. The best way to treat tapeworms in cats is to consult with the vet. The most effective medications are only available by prescription and most of them are given by injection or as a tablet. Both are very effective and the side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea are rarely reported.
Are tapeworms in cats dangerous to humans?
This infection in humans happens very rarely. Tapeworms are contracted by ingesting an infected flea, so most of those rarely reported cases involve children living in places with poor levels of hygiene.
Prevention is better than cure!
In order to maintain good health for your fluffy friend, what you need to do is to prevent him or her from any infections or diseases.
So, how to protect your cat from these intestinal worms known as tapeworms? Flea control!
Regular and effective flea control is the first thing to do in order to prevent tapeworms in cats. There are so many flea treatment products and preventive treatments against tapeworms that can help your kitty avoid this troublesome and uncomfortable invader.
Therefore, make sure you take your cat to the vet regularly, at least every three months, and there is no doubt that your feline will be protected from this unpleasant condition and maintain its good health.