As a cat owner, your top priority is keeping your feline friend both healthy and happy. One important aspect of feline health involves preventing and managing worms, which are common internal parasites. Worms can cause various health problems, ranging from minor discomfort to serious illness if left untreated, depending on the type of worm and the severity of infection.
If you’re wondering how to deworm your cat, check out these cat deworming tips from Paws N’ Claws veterinary clinic in Singapore, to help maintain your cat’s health and well-being. Keep reading to discover more about keeping your furry companion worm-free.
Symptoms of Worm Infection
Recognising the symptoms of cat worm infections is crucial for early intervention and effective worm treatment for cats.
Some common signs include:
- Weight loss despite increased appetite: Cats infected with worms may lose weight even if they are eating more than usual. This is often due to the parasites competing with the cat for nutrients.
- Diarrhoea or constipation: Worms can disrupt the normal function of your cat’s digestive system, leading to diarrhoea or constipation. In some cases, the stool may contain blood due to intestinal irritation.
- Worms in stool: Sometimes, worms or segments of worms can be seen in the cat’s stool, which is a clear sign of infestation.
- Vomiting: Cats with worms may vomit frequently, with worms occasionally being visible in the vomit.
- Dull coat and dry skin: A healthy cat’s coat should be shiny and smooth. A dull coat and dry, flaky skin may indicate a worm infestation, as worms can affect nutrient absorption.
- Lethargy: Infected cats may appear tired or less playful than usual. Lethargy may be caused by malnutrition, blood loss and anaemia (such as with hookworms), or discomfort and pain from intestinal irritation.
- Pot-bellied appearance: This is particularly common in kittens, where a swollen belly can indicate a heavy worm load, as the worms accumulate in the intestines. That said, aside from worms, other factors such as fluid accumulation or constipation can also contribute to a kitten’s pot-bellied appearance.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it is important to seek veterinary attention promptly. Consult a licensed veterinarian at a clinic or animal hospital for a diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Different Types of Worms
Source: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/
Knowing how to deworm your cat also involves recognising these parasites and their potential impact on your pet’s health. Here, we delve into the types of worms commonly seen in pets, to help you safeguard your cat’s well-being.
Roundworms: Roundworms are common parasites in cats, typically contracted when cats ingest the eggs from contaminated faeces and environments or infected prey. These worms primarily affect the digestive system. In severe cases, roundworms can obstruct the intestines and lead to serious complications.
Heartworms: A type of filarial worm with a long, slender, thread-like shape, heartworms are transmitted to animals and humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. These parasites reside in the cat’s heart and pulmonary arteries, which means they can cause respiratory problems, and even congestive heart failure in advanced cases.
Tapeworms: Tapeworms are long, flat worms that attach to the cat’s intestines. Cats usually contract tapeworms by ingesting infected fleas, such as when they are grooming themselves, or by eating infected rodents. Common cat worm symptoms include weight loss, increased appetite, and irritation around the anus (due to the passage of tapeworm segments).
Hookworms: Hookworms are thin, small parasites that attach to a cat’s intestinal lining and feed on the animal’s blood. Cats can contract hookworms by ingesting larvae from contaminated environments — such as faeces-contaminated soil, contaminated water sources, or areas with high flea populations — or through skin contact. These worms can cause anaemia (due to blood loss) and serious intestinal problems, particularly in kittens, which are more susceptible to the effects of hookworm infection.
Less common types of worms: Besides roundworms, heartworms, tapeworms, and hookworms, cats can also be affected by less common types such as whipworms and lungworms. These infections can occur if a cat ingests a rodent or small bird that carries the parasites. Whipworms primarily reside in the large intestine, causing irritation and inflammation, with symptoms including diarrhoea and poor coat condition. Lungworms infect the lungs of cats, and symptoms include coughing and difficulty breathing.
Effective Deworming Protocols
Deworming is the process of eliminating parasitic worms from a pet’s body. It plays an important role in keeping your cat healthy and worm-free, to prevent potential health problems associated with worm infestations.
Deworming medication is typically administered orally or topically. These medications work by killing the adult worms and their eggs, to prevent the transmission of the parasites. For instance, there are monthly preventive medications available to prevent heartworms as well as fleas and ticks.
It’s important to consult with your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate deworming protocol for your cat. Vets can assess your cat’s individual needs and recommend a suitable medication and dosing schedule.
For heartworm medication, a blood test may be required before starting the animal on such meds, to help determine if the cat is already infected with heartworms. If the test is positive, specific treatment plans can be developed to address the infection.
For kittens, it’s usually best to start deworming early, typically around 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age, before continuing with follow-up treatments at 4 and 6 months.
For adult cats, regular deworming as advised by your vet helps keep any potential infestations in check. The frequency will depend on any risk factors and your veterinarian’s advice.
For example, if your cat is exposed to high-risk environments — such as going outdoors often, or in areas with worm infestations — more frequent deworming may be necessary.
Oral dewormers come in tablets, capsules, or suspensions. Topical dewormers are applied directly to the skin, often in the form of a spot-on treatment.
Always obtain medication from a reputable source, such as a licensed vet clinic or animal hospital, to ensure the safety and efficacy of your pet’s treatment. Avoid purchasing deworming medication from unverified sources or online retailers, as these products may be counterfeit or ineffective.
Regular Veterinary Check-Ups
Regular veterinary health check-ups and consultations are vital for maintaining your cat’s health and can help to prevent cat worm infections.
During these check-ups, your vet performs physical examinations, which includes checking the pet’s weight, fur, overall body condition, and listening to the heart and lungs. This can help to spot any symptoms if worms are present in your cat, such as weight loss, dull coat, lethargy, and respiratory issues.
Parasite screening may be part of the general health check. The veterinarian may recommend faecal testing or examination to check for the presence of worm eggs or larvae in the stool, as well as other parasite screening to ensure your cat is free of both internal and external parasites.
During a consultation with a vet, you are also encouraged to ask questions and raise any concerns you may have about your pet’s well-being.
Staying on top of these check-ups ensures that you’re informed about effective deworming and keeps your furry companion in optimal health.
Preventing Infection and Reinfection
To keep your cat worm-free, learn these valuable tips on how to deworm your cat effectively and ensure that worms don’t appear or return:
- Faecal exams for early detection: If you notice anything unusual about your cat’s stool, schedule a faecal exam at a vet clinic to detect any worm infections early.
- Consistent deworming schedule: Maintain a regular deworming schedule as recommended by your vet.
- Avoid feeding your cat raw meat or uncooked fish: These can carry worm larvae. If you choose to feed a raw diet, minimise the risk by sourcing high-quality meat from reputable suppliers, maintaining strict hygiene when handling raw meat, and cleaning feeding areas.
- Proper hygiene practices: Keep your cat’s living environment clean to reduce the risk of exposure to worm eggs or larvae. Scoop the litter box daily, and change the litter regularly to minimise contamination. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the litter box.
- Regular cleaning of food and water bowls: Clean your cat’s food and water bowls daily to prevent the spread of parasites.
- Effective flea control: Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs, so keeping your cat flea-free is essential to prevent tapeworm infestations.
Regular vet check-ups and preventive measures will ensure your furry friend is healthy and thriving.
If you observe any signs of a worm infection, reach out to our friendly veterinary team at Paws N’ Claws Vet in Singapore. We are happy to respond to your questions and provide guidance on how to deworm your cat.
Our veterinarian may also schedule a vet home visit or a teleconsultation if you would prefer to speak to them from the comfort of your home.