Symptoms of cat worms and parasites and methods of treatment
There is a large and ever-increasing number of parasite and worm prevention products for cats and pets that are produced by multiple companies. It is not surprising that cat fanciers are a little confused, however, about what they use to deworm and parasite their domestic cats.
Cat parasites and worms
What are the parasites and worms that can infect cats? What are the methods of parasite prevention that domestic cats need? What is the most effective prevention, and most importantly - what are the safest prevention methods?
We've put together a handy guide to cat parasites, worms, and prevention products, so you can be sure you're choosing the right product for your cat! Before you choose a parasite prevention plan for your cat, you'll need to know exactly what parasites and worms she's facing.
Types of cat parasites and worms
There are several worrisome parasites that infect cats:
1. Cat fleas
Small, wingless, bloodsucking insects that live on your cat's body and lay their eggs in the environment. It causes itching and dermatitis
2. ticks
Another bloodsucking insect without wings. Paralytic ticks inject a toxin that can be fatal. There are 3 species in Australia: the paralysis tick, the brown dog tick, and the bush tick. Only the tick of paralysis is toxic
.3. heartworms
Worms that live in the blood of cats and are transmitted by mosquitoes. After infection, the larvae travel to the heart and lungs where they grow into adults in the heart chambers of cats. Intestinal worms - worms that live in the digestive tract including hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.
1. Fleas
Hyperactive vampires live on your cat's skin, breeding and biting every chance they get. Infestation is a common cause of flea dermatitis in cats and symptoms include severe itching, sores, scaling, and hair loss.
Cat products that kill fleas are multiple, including:
Advantage, Advocate, Revolution, Revolution Plus, Seresto, Bravecto Plus, Bravecto.
2. ticks
Another vampire can be found on the skin and coat of cats. The paralytic tick (Ixodes Holocyclus) is the most dangerous and without an anti-tick serum prescribed by your vet, it may cause complete paralysis of the body, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, heart failure and eventually death. We recommend checking with your local veterinary clinic to see if ticks pose a risk to your cats and pets. For cats that spend time outdoors, we recommend isoxazoline-based products such as those below.
Cat products that kill ticks:
Bravecto, Bravecto Plus, and Revolution Plus.
Symptoms of cat worms and cat ticks include:
Weakness, wobbling, or loss of coordination in the hind legs Coughing, grunting, or trouble breathing Change in meowing (volume or tone) Loss of appetite Vomiting or vomiting Excessive drooling
3. Heartworm
These parasitic worms are transmitted by infected mosquitoes and are injected in the form of larvae that travel to the heart and lungs.
Although it is less common in cats than in dogs, there is no direct treatment for heartworm in cats, so prevention is essential. Monthly prevention is available in tablet or topical form.
Cat products that prevent heartworm:
Milbemax, Advocate, Bravecto Plus, Revolution Plus, and Revolution.
4. Intestinal worms that infect cats
Hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms are the most common intestinal worms of cats. Tapeworms are more common in cats than dogs and are most often seen when eating infected fleas. However, it can also be transmitted from consuming raw meat or hunting prey that contains the parasite. Dewormers for cats are available in tablet form or as a topical treatment.
Symptoms of intestinal worms in cats may include diarrhea, bits of worms in the stool or around the anus, weight loss, stomach bloating, vomiting, weakness, or anemia.
Cat products that kill worms:
Milbemax, Drontal, Advocate, Revolution, Bravecto Plus, and Profender.
See the cat products and treats section on the aleef website
Topical treatment for cats versus oral treatments
Which is better: topical or oral treatments?
Topical treatments
If you have fussy cats who spit out their meds and stay away from wet foods, then a topical food may be the right way to deal with them. These treatments are applied to the skin on the back of the neck, so cats don't lick them, spread across the upper fat layer or absorbed into the bloodstream to cover the entire body. Topical treatments may be easier to apply, especially if your cat isn't very gentle with pills.
Your cat should be completely dry before applying the topical treatment and wetness should be avoided for up to 48 hours after application. Fortunately, most cats don't like water anyway! But watch the weather forecast in case it rains.
Oral treatments
Oral treatments will not be affected if your cat wets before or after treatment. However, there are limited options available for oral treatments that control fleas and there are many treatments for cat worms, and there are almost no universal oral options for all diseases combined.
Treat options for indoor cats
Only domestic cats are less likely to be exposed to fleas, ticks, and certain intestinal worms. However, your indoor cat can still be exposed to fleas if you have dogs or wild animals nearby. It is also possible for exposure to worm eggs from dirt on your shoes or clothing. Heartworm is a danger to every indoor cat because it is transmitted by mosquitoes that can easily gain access to your home.
We usually recommend one of the following products for treating household cat worms:
Your vet may prescribe an oral or injectable dewormer that will kill the adult worms and larvae in the intestines at the time of diagnosis. Broad spectrum prescription medications such as Panacur (fenbendazole) and Drontal Plus (pyrantel, praziquantel, fenbendazole) can be used to treat hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infections, but must be given carefully to your cat according to your veterinarian's instructions. Your cat may need multiple doses to kill any larvae that may have hatched after the first dose.
Praziquantel is also available as a one-time injectable treatment for tapeworm infection, which works by paralyzing and dislodging the worm's suckers from the intestinal wall, allowing the worms to pass in the stool. Your vet may also recommend starting your cat with a monthly topical or oral flea preventative, as tapeworm infections can recur if there are fleas in your home environment.
How to get rid of worms in cats with home products
There are several "home" remedies that can be effective in treating and preventing worms in cats, including garlic, apple cider vinegar, pumpkin seeds, carrots, and turmeric. However, it is never recommended that you attempt to treat your cat with over-the-counter or natural remedies for worms in cats. Although it may seem like a faster and cheaper alternative to a visit to the vet, there is no guarantee that these products are safe or effective in treating any type of medical condition, and they could actually be harmful to your cat.