Cat Worm Symptoms - A Guide To Initial Diagnosis
Cat Worm Symptoms - Caveat
The information below is a guide to cat worm symptoms, but if you are ever in doubt, always ask advice from a veterinary specialist. And please remember that this is just a guide, because as you will notice, many worms display near identical symptoms.
Tapeworm Symptoms
Tapeworms Symptoms include seeing small segments of the worms in the cats stools. Dead segments can also be found in your cats rear side fur, or even in your cats bedding. Symptoms exhibited by your cat may include an apparent loss of weight without a loss of appetite.
Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum, T. taeniaeformis) are not deadly, although they are obviously a pest that needs to be removed. They are a parasite that are spread via fleas that a cat may ingest. Once ingested, the parasite grows and remain in the cats intestines if untreated.
Hookworm Symptoms
Common symptoms of hookworms (Ancylostoma braziliense) includes blood in the stool, accompanied by diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Hookworms can be transmitted to humans through the feet. Unfortunately adult cats can pass on parasite to their kittens which can prove fatal.
It is unlikely that you will know if your adult cat is infected, but if you are in doubt, you should contact a professional. Like other parasites hookworms feed off their hosts, and this particular variety feeds off the blood which may lead to fatal anaemia.
Stomach Worm Symptoms
Symptoms of stomach worms (Ollanulus tricuspis and Physaloptera) in cats include vomiting, weight loss and lethargy. If you do suspect that your cat has stomach worms then a veterinarian may be able to identify the worm through looking at your cat's vomit. If you do collect your cats vomit, please ensure that you take all necessary health and safety precaution. If unsure about this, please contact a specialist.
Stomach worms are quite rare in well looked after cats, but if your cat does disappear for a few days and starts exhibiting some of the symptoms described please consult a professional.
Physaloptera Symptoms
Symptoms of Physaloptera worm include vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy. If you suspect that your cat is infected, then a trip to a veterinarian is in order. They will be able to diagnose from your cat's stools and vomit.
The symptoms are very similar to other parasites, and are usually the result of ingesting an animal or invertebrate that has been infected.
Roundworm Symptoms
The symptoms of roundworm (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonine) differ dependent on the cat's age. In kittens a rounded belly and increased appetite will be evident. In adults, vomiting, inactivity, and diarrhoea will be present. You may be able to see the worms which are pasta like, yourself. They usually appear in stools and vomit.
Roundworms not deadly, but they are very common, and importantly they can be transferred to humans, so if you suspect that your cat has them you must act immediately.
Generic Symptoms
If your cat is vomiting, or suffering from any combination of the above symptoms please seek advice from a professional
