Controlling Internal Parasites of your Cat
Worming
Intestinal worms commonly affect cats without them showing signs or having visible worms in the droppings. Worms are prolific egg producers and these eggs can survive for years on the ground. Your cat can be infected via contact with droppings, rodents or through the skin. If symptoms occur, they include pale gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, a potbelly, weight loss, scooting and dull hair coat. Worms can infest people as well, with children being most at risk. This public health risk is an important reason to worm your pet.
Worming treatments are available as tablets, pastes or top spot products. We recommend the following worming regime:
| 4-12 weeks old | Every 2 weeks with Felex paste |
| 3-6 months old | Every month with Milbemax tabs, or Profender or Advocate applied topically. |
| Over 6 months old | Every three months with Milbemax tabs, or Profender or Advocate applied topically. |
Pregnant/lactating queens should be treated before mating, then 2 and 4 weeks after kittening.
Weigh your cat before worming and dose up to the nearest half tablet.
Worming medications kill the adult worms in the cats intestine but do not prevent future infection. Regular worming treatments are important especially in your cats early months.
Ways to reduce worms:
- Clean sleeping areas regularly
- Control fleas with a top-spot product
- Wash your hands after touching your pet and avoid pets licking your face. Teach children these habits too.
- Remove faeces from litter trays
- Control rats and mice
Roundworms
These are cream coloured, round in cross-section and up to 100mm long. They can pass from animals to humans, especially children and are common in young cats.
Kittens can become infected from their mother’s milk or by swallowing the eggs. Roundworm larvae can also be present in rats, mice and birds hunted by cats. Symptoms of roundworm infection include poor appetite, rough coat, depression and vomiting.
Hookworms
These are fine worms 7-10mm long. Female hookworms can lay up to 30,000 eggs daily. The eggs hatch in the faeces. Infection occurs by swallowing the eggs of skin penetration. Signs of infection include anaemia, poor appetite, depression and diarrhoea. These worms can also infect humans.
Tapeworms
The common flea tapeworm larvae develop in fleas. Cats can eat infected fleas when grooming themselves and the tapeworm develops in the cats intestine. The larvae of another tapeworm, Taenia, can be consumed with infected rodents.
Whilst not a major health concern, tapeworms can cause signs of anal irritation.
ToxoplasmosisThis protozoal parasite can cause illness in cats and can be shed with the faeces of apparently healthy cats. Toxoplasmosis presents a potential health risk to pregnant women and her unborn child. The risk can be reduced by attention to hygiene. Wash your hands after touching your cat and take special care or delegate when the litter tray needs cleaning. Raw meat is another potential source of this parasite. Heartworm
Heartworm is a mosquito borne disease. We do not recommend routine prevention, as heartworm is rare in cats living in the Canberra region.
Next: Flea and tick control in your cat.
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