Parasite Treatment

Heartworm

one of the most serious feline parasites

spread when infective mosquitoes bite cats and transfer heartworm larvae

cats are a resistant host and infection is often self-limiting

heartworm may cause -

	asthma like signs
	difficulty breathing
	gagging
	vomiting
	weight loss
	sudden death

Hookworm

can penetrate the skin when cats walk on or ingests contaminated soil

attach to and feed on cat's intestinal lining

hookworm may cause -

	internal bleeding
	anaemia

Zoonotic Potential (Potential Impact on humans)

	people may become infected with hookworm by touching or accidentally ingesting contaminated sand or soil
	hookworm cause itching lesions while penetrating and migrating through the skin

Roundworm

the most common worm in cats

infection occurs via ingestion of queen's milk by kittens and ingestion of infected eggs or infected hosts such as rodents

live in small intestine

roundworm may cause -

	diarrhoea or constipation
	vomiting
	dehydration
	stunted growth

Zoonotic Potential (Potential Impact on humans)

	humans, especially children, contract roundworm through the ingestion of contaminated dirt
	larvae migrate through the body causing sickness
	if larvae reach the eyes they can lead to vision problems - even blindness

Tapeworm

flat segmented worms

live in the small intestine

tapeworm may cause -

	weight loss
	diarrhoea
	poor coat condition

Types of tapeworm -

	Dipylidium caninum (flea tapeworm) - infection occurs when a cat ingests a flea that has eaten tapeworm eggs
	Taenia spp. - infection caused by ingestion of infected animals such as mice

Zoonotic Potential (Potential Impact on humans)

	flea tapeworm can infect humans via the accidental ingestion of infected fleas or contaminated soil
	tapeworm may form cysts in humans which infiltrate and damage vital organs such as the liver and lungs

Protecting your cat and family against worms

	Kittens should be wormed with a broad spectrum preparation fortnightly from 6 weeks until 12 weeks old.
	This is particularly important against roundworm, tapeworm and hookworm.
	Then, over 12 weeks of age - once a month until 6 months old.
	Cats over 6 months old - once every 3 months.
	Adult cats should be wormed 3 or 4 times a year with a broad spectrum tablet that also kills tapeworm.
	If a cat is diagnosed as having worms, it should be wormed fortnightly 3 or 4 times to break the life cycle of the worm.

We recommend worming with one of the following preparations -

Popantel

Drontal

Milbemax

Felex Plus Paste

Revolution

this is a spot on formulation applied to the back of the neck once a month, treats roundworm and hookworm as well as heartworm, and can be a easy way to treat cats that are difficult when giving oral medications.

Ocicats by Oz Catz

www.OzCatz.com nolakim@optusnet.com.au

Last modified: June 25, 2008