Hookworm and roundworm are two parasites that can cause serious health problems for a cat if left untreated.
The symptoms of parasites in cats are varied, depending on the type of parasite involved. External parasites cause itching in the cat, resulting in itching and sometimes biting of the affected skin areas. Hair loss and dry skin can also be the result of external parasites. Internal parasites can cause loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Anemia can be the result of internal and external parasites.
Ticks can transmit a number of serious diseases to cats.
External parasites of cats include fleas and ticks. When a cat has fleas, you can usually see dark spots on the cat’s fur and around the area where it sleeps. An affected cat often scratches and chews around the base of the tail, where fleas concentrate. Ticks feed on the blood of cats and transmit various diseases. Rocky Mountain spotted fever causes intestinal disorders, and Lyme disease can cause arthritis.
A veterinarian should be consulted for treatment of feline parasites.
Parasites in cats can cause allergies. When infested with fleas, some cats experience allergic reactions to flea saliva. These reactions, called flea allergy dermatitis, lead to hair loss, dry skin, and red, raised lesions. Sometimes the cat can pull out its own fur. The symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis are worse in the summer and fall, when fleas are more prevalent.
Symptoms of a tapeworm infection include itching around the cat’s anus and malnutrition.
Ear mites, one of the most common feline parasites, are itchy and often cause the cat to shake her head from side to side. The infection may be the result of an ear mite infestation, as the mites obtain their food from the fluid in a cat’s ear. If ear mites are not treated, complications from the bacterial infection can cause the cat to go deaf.
Tapeworms, an internal parasite of cats, are transmitted to cats when they ingest fleas that have eaten tapeworm larvae. Symptoms of tapeworm infection include itching around the cat’s anus and the presence of tapeworm segments around the anus or in the cat’s feces. If a cat has a lot of tapeworms, it can experience weight loss and malnutrition.
Parasites can hide more easily in cats with longer fur.
Hookworms and roundworms are two internal parasites in cats that can harm a cat’s health if left untreated. Hookworms usually feed on the lining of the small intestine, but sometimes they feed on blood. Symptoms include blood in a cat’s stool, weight loss, and anemia. Roundworms, a common intestinal parasite in cats, can cause diarrhea and vomiting and are particularly dangerous for sick kittens and adult cats.
Outdoor cats are prone to parasites like lungworms and flukes. The main symptom of lungworm infection is cough. The worms can cause loss of appetite and swelling in the cat’s abdomen.
The best way to get rid of parasites in cats is to visit a veterinarian. Many effective medications are available to eradicate parasites. The best methods to prevent parasites are to make sure your cat receives regular veterinary care and to keep her indoors or not allow her to roam outdoors unattended.