Worms In Cats: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment And Medications

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Worms In Cats: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment And Medications
Worms In Cats: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment And Medications

Video: Worms In Cats: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment And Medications

Video: Worms In Cats: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment And Medications
Video: How To Tell If Your Cat Has Worms - Cat Health Care! 2024, March
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Worms in cats are a serious disease that depresses all body systems: the animal loses weight, eats poorly, gets very tired. Animals can get sick just like people, so it is important for owners to monitor the health of their pets. Tablets for worms for cats should be given from time to time even to those animals that lead a "home" lifestyle and do not go outside at all.

The content of the article:

  • 1 Worms in cats
  • 2 Where can a cat get infected with worms?
  • 3 Types of helminths in cats
  • 4 Diagnosis of worms in cats
  • 5 Preparations for worms in cats
  • 6 Form of release of tablets from worms in cats
  • 7 Dosage and administration of tablets for worms in cats
  • 8 Pharmacodynamics of tablets from worms for cats
  • 9 Pharmacokinetics of worm tablets for cats
  • 10 Indications for the use of tablets for worms for cats
  • 11 Symptoms of worms in cats
  • 12 Contraindication of medicines for worms in cats
  • 13 Use of worm tablets for cats during pregnancy
  • 14 Treatment of kittens from worms
  • 15 Side effects of worm tablets for cats
  • 16 Folk remedies for worms in cats
  • 17 Worms in cats - Prevention

Worms in cats

Helminths (worms in cats) are a very common and therefore no less relevant disease than other parasitic diseases, such as tick or flea infestation.

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

Worms, or parasitic worms (helminths), can cause diseases in cats, which have one common name - helminthiases. Depending on which worm (round, tape, flat or fluke) caused the disease, nematodes, cestodes and trematodes are distinguished. In cats, all types of these parasites are found, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and sometimes muscles can be affected.

Where can a cat get infected with worms?

Worm larvae and adult parasites are found in the environment: in the soil, on the grass, in parks and gardens. Therefore, it does not mean at all that if your cat is home and does not go outside, then he cannot become infected with worms, you yourself can bring larvae on the soles of your shoes or on your clothes.

Also, infection cannot be excluded:

  • when a cat eats raw fish, meat, tap water;
  • when fleas appear, there is a possibility of infection of your pet and worms;
  • upon contact with sick animals, contaminated objects (sand, earth) and feces;
  • possible intrauterine infection of kittens from a pregnant cat.

According to some sources, there are currently about 32 types of worms that are common to humans and cats. Some of them can be named.

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

Worms in cats. Types of worms in cats that are dangerous to humans: opisthorchiasis - affects the liver, gallbladder and pancreas; diphyllobothriasis - caused by a cestode parasitizing in the small intestine and reaching a length of 10 meters; toxocariasis and dipylidiosis - caused by worms that settle in the intestines; and one of the most dangerous diseases for humans is echinococcosis and alveococcosis - the larval stage affects the internal organs. Directly from a cat, a person can become infected with roundworms, as well as echinococcosis and alveococcosis.

Types of helminths in cats

There are several types of parasites that affect pets:

  • Nematodes. Roundworms are the most common worms found in cats. Some species reach a length of 10 cm. Most often, animals become infected with hookworm, the size of which does not exceed 2 cm. They feed on blood, which threatens the development of anemia;
  • Trematodes (flukes) are flatworms. The main site of localization is the liver and lungs. Symptoms are usually very mild, so infection is not immediately detected. By affecting the lungs, the worms cause coughing. Having settled in the liver, parasites disrupt its work;
  • Tapeworms. Some representatives reach 70 cm in length. The body is made up of many segments. The cat's body is used by them as an intermediate host. The tape parasite can be detected visually - on the animal's fur near the anus, there are segments that look like rice grains.

The greatest harm to cats is caused by roundworms, which are capable of carrying out parasitic activity in the intestines, liver and multiplying in large numbers.

Diagnosis of worms in cats

In order to make an accurate diagnosis for the presence of helminths in the body, it is necessary to conduct a scatological study of feces (feces analysis) to determine the eggs of the worm.

It is not always possible to detect the presence of eggs in the stool of a cat the first time, this is due to the period of development of the worm. If the animal has become infected recently, then there are immature individuals in the body that do not yet release eggs, so the research results may be false negative. To avoid such a situation, you need to donate feces at least 3-4 times a month.

By and large, if you do not need scientific discoveries and do not need to know the exact name of the helminth, this study is not necessary. If segments of worms or whole individuals are found in feces, then the question of whether there is a disease or not is no longer necessary. This is a sign that directly indicates the defeat of the cat with worms.

Preparations for worms in cats

Worms in cats. It is necessary to take into account the fact that there are medicinal anthelmintic drugs that act on only one type of worms, and there are complex remedies that contain several active active substances against different types of helminths. It is necessary to solve the problem, so here is a list of drugs that can be used to worm a cat:

  • sugar cubes (given to the animal as a treat, with food, or dissolved in water and given to the animal with a solution through a syringe):
  • tablets for worms (given to the animal with food or "in pure form"): Kanikvantel plus; Envire; Drontal; Milbemax; Pratel; Troncil; Febtal;
  • suspensions (given to the animal by means of a syringe dispenser orally): Prazicite for adult cats; Prazicide sweet suspension for kittens;
  • drops on the withers: Profender.

Form of release of tablets from worms in cats

Quite a lot of anthelmintic drugs are produced, the form of release may be different, as well as the names of tablets for worms for cats. Modern veterinary medicine offers tableted anthelmintic drugs (such as prazicide, drontal, milbemax, caniquantel), pasty agents (dirofen), suspensions (dirofen or prazicide), skin drops (like profender, prazicide complex, spot-on bars).

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

The form of the drug does not affect its effectiveness, the convenience of using the drug for the animal plays a leading role in the choice of the drug. Not all cats like to swallow tablets, and not all owners know how to give them to their pet correctly. To get a cat to swallow a pill, you first need to hold the animal, open its mouth and place the medicine on the base of the tongue.

If the procedure fails and the cat stubbornly spits out the pill, in such cases other forms of release of anthelmintic drugs come to the rescue: you can try to mix a suspension with the cat food, or use drops that should be squeezed onto the skin in the interscapular region, pushing the fur before that. The drops should be applied in such a place that the cat cannot reach with its tongue and lick the medicine.

The drug must also be selected taking into account the age and weight of the sick animal.

Quite a lot of anthelmintic drugs are produced, the form of release may be different, as well as the names of tablets for worms for cats. Modern veterinary medicine offers tableted anthelmintic drugs (such as prazicide, drontal, milbemax, caniquantel), pasty agents (dirofen), suspensions (dirofen or prazicide), skin drops (like profender, prazicide complex, spot-on bars).

Method of application and dosage of tablets for worms in cats

Worms in cats. The best option is when a doctor prescribes the method of application and dose of anthelmintic tablets. If this is not possible, then you need to take into account the fact that the dose of the drug is calculated individually, depending on the weight of the cat. Dosage features should be read in the annotation to the drug. For example, the popular drug drontal is dosed at the rate of 1 tablet per 4 kilograms of animal weight, and the pratel tablet is used in half per 5 kg of weight.

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

Reception of anthelmintic tablets as a prophylaxis is carried out once in the morning before meals. Treatment of helminthic invasions requires repeated administration of the drug one week after the first. During pregnancy, cats, anthelmintic tablets are given 14-20 days before the expected birth or after 2-3 weeks.

For small kittens, tablets are given as needed from 2-3 weeks of age. Prophylactic administration of anthelmintic tablets should be repeated every 3-6 months, especially in cats that have access to the street or constantly eat raw meat or fish.

A tablet in a crushed state can be mixed with the main food, or you can give the cat a whole one by placing it in the open mouth of the animal on the base of the tongue: this will trigger a conditioned swallowing reflex, and the cat will quickly swallow the drug. For small kittens, the necessary part of the tablet is mixed with food or milk.

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

Cases of an overdose of anthelmintic tablets in cats are extremely rare. Only small kittens, in which it is more difficult to correctly calculate the dosage, receive a large dose. In such situations, manifestations of general intoxication are possible, but not from the tablets themselves, but from the massive decomposition of a large number of simultaneously affected helminths.

If you suspect that the dosage of the anthelmintic tablet was incorrect, and the cat has cramps, trembling in the legs, shortness of breath, try to urgently consult a veterinarian.

Pharmacodynamics of tablets from worms for cats

Worms in cats. Anthelmintic drugs, produced in the form of tablets, usually have a wide spectrum of action, destroy all stages of the development of the invasion, while simultaneously affecting nematodes, trematodes and cestodes. Modern remedies are used in the intestinal and tissue form of parasitic invasion, they are effective against larvae, eggs and adult worms.

According to the mechanism of action, the drugs are close to inhibitors of polymerization and destructors of the cellular structure of the digestive tract of worms. The ability of these drugs to inhibit glucose uptake, to block the motor activity of elements in the muscle cells of round worms, which provokes the death of helminths, is noted.

Almost all drugs are equally effective against pathogens of diphyllobothriasis, dipylidiosis, alveococcosis, toxascariasis, ankylostomiasis, paragonimiasis, opisthorchiasis. They destroy cysts or significantly reduce their size in animals with detected cysts of granular echinococcus.

Pharmacokinetics of worm tablets for cats

Tableted forms of preparations for worms for cats are adsorbed in the digestive tract. The degree of bioavailability for internal use is low (25-35%).

Metabolism is determined mainly in the liver, residual metabolites have only partial activity of the main therapeutic substance. The maximum concentration of anthelmintic drugs in the blood serum can be reached within two to five hours after taking the pill. Whey proteins bind the drug by 60-70%. The active substance is distributed almost throughout the body: its traces can be found in the liver, blood plasma, bile and urinary secretions, cerebrospinal fluid.

The time of partial elimination of drugs from blood serum is about 10 hours, drugs are excreted as various metabolites mainly through the urinary system or with feces.

Dysfunction of the liver in an animal doubles the limiting concentration of drugs in the blood serum.

Indications for the use of tablets for worms for cats

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

Worms in cats. There are many known veterinary anthelmintic drugs designed to destroy almost all types of helminths. Among them are pills for worms for cats. When buying any of the drugs, make sure that they are suitable for the age and weight of your pet. Of course, it would be better if you consult a veterinarian before treating your cat, but this is not always possible, so we provide you with a brief introduction to this topic.

Anthelmintic drugs are prescribed to cats to treat or prevent worm infestations. What are the indications for the use of worm tablets for cats? These may be suddenly appeared signs indicating the possibility of helminthiasis:

  • appetite disorders - the cat is reluctant to eat, or refuses to eat at all; sometimes the appetite takes on a perverse form when the cat tries to eat foods that are inedible for her or the objects around her;
  • external signs - a cat can lose weight, get tired quickly from games, her desire for solitude appears; there may be an increase and bloating of the abdomen;
  • condition of the coat - the coat can be tousled, sometimes it becomes too oily and sticky; in long-haired cats, hair pieces may fall out;
  • condition of the eyes - there may be lacrimation, yellowness of the sclera;
  • digestive disorders - diarrhea, vomiting, regardless of food intake;
  • coughing and sneezing may appear;
  • sometimes itching is observed after the act of defecation, in the feces you can notice an admixture of blood or directly the helminths themselves.

Symptoms of worms in cats

How to understand that a cat has worms? Many animal owners cannot immediately determine the presence of helminths in their pets, and they, in turn, actively develop and cause serious discomfort to the cat or cat.

To find out that pathogenic organisms have appeared in the animal's body, first of all, you should pay attention to the pet's behavior. But often the signs of the presence of worms are similar to the symptoms of many infectious diseases.

Signs of worms in cats can be as follows:

  1. Stool disorders - constipation, diarrhea;
  2. Frequent gagging;
  3. Feces may become darker in color;
  4. The pet may experience a sharp decrease in body weight;
  5. Mucus can be observed in the structure of feces, and blood impurities can also be present;
  6. Loss of wool;
  7. The pet may have difficult, intermittent breathing;
  8. Inhibition in the development of kittens;
  9. The pet constantly arrives in a lethargic and sluggish state, it may react poorly to others;
  10. Decreased or vice versa increased appetite;
  11. The appearance of signs of coughing;
  12. Bloating;
  13. Worms and larvae can be detected in the animal's feces, and parasites can also be on the wool near the tail;
  14. In advanced forms of the disease, a cat may experience seizures;
  15. Pregnant cats may experience premature birth.

Contraindication of medicines for worms in cats

In some cases, worms in cats cannot be treated with medication.

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

Do not prescribe medical therapy:

  • kittens less than 3 weeks old;
  • pregnant, lactating cats;
  • animals with additional diseases.

The doctor may not allow deworming due to the individual characteristics of the animal. An increasing number of people are trying to use folk remedies for worms in cats. It is important not to resort to questionable methods. One of them is the use of celandine, which is unacceptable and very dangerous for the health of the pet. The high content of alkaloids in this plant makes it possible to classify it as poisonous.

Using worm pills for cats during pregnancy

Worms in cats. Many animal lovers often wonder if it is possible to use worm pills for cats during pregnancy.

In the first half of pregnancy, it is not recommended for a cat to take antihelminthic drugs, as this can harm the developing embryos, or provoke an abortion. In such cases, it is better to wait a little and apply an anthelmintic agent 10-15 days before the expected labor of the cat. After the birth of kittens, it is imperative to treat them as well, since infection can occur from the mother during childbirth, but not before they reach three weeks of age.

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

In relation to a cat in the second half of pregnancy, it is permissible to use only those anthelmintic drugs that contain in the instructions an indication of the possibility of their use by pregnant and lactating cats. These drugs include, for example, Milbemax, Biheldon. A very good remedy is "caniquantel-plus", prescribed in a dosage of ½ a tablet per 5 kg of animal weight.

In general, if mating your pet is planned in advance, the best way to prevent helminthiasis is to take any anthelmintic drug to your cat 14 days before the planned pregnancy.

Treatment of kittens from worms

Worm medicines for cats
Worm medicines for cats

If a pregnant cat has been infected with helminths, then kittens can become infected from a sick mother in utero or after birth. Before you start treating kittens with this or that drug, you must carefully read the instructions or consult a veterinarian.

The drug is dosed clearly by weight. An incorrect dosage can cause irreparable consequences, the worst of which can be the death of a kitten. A good drug can be called: Milbemax; Drontal; Prazicide suspension; Dirofen.

But there are others. Usually, kittens begin treatment no earlier than ten days of age.

Side effects of worm tablets for cats

Worms in cats. Side effects of tablets for worms for cats depend on the degree of toxicity of the drug, its dosage, age and condition of the sick animal. Adequate use of drugs and correct selection of the dose in most cases do not reveal any side effects on taking antihelminthic drugs.

In rare situations, manifestations of hypersensitivity to taking the pill are possible, which is expressed in foaming from the mouth of the animal, allergic itchy dermatitis and other characteristic signs of an allergic reaction.

Also, sometimes disorders of the gastrointestinal tract can be observed, which manifests itself in the form of abundant and loose stools, impaired appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Side effects usually go away on their own within 24 hours after taking the anthelmintic drug. If the side symptoms persist, you should seek the advice of your veterinarian.

Folk remedies for worms in cats

Worms in cats. Traditional medicine will help to rid your pet of worms. There are many recipes that are effective for helminthiasis and are absolutely safe for the health of the animal. They can be used for small kittens and pregnant cats. The only drawback is long-term treatment.

The most famous remedy for worms is garlic. One clove a day is enough for a cat. Garlic is crushed and fed with feed daily for a week.

A herbal decoction made from flowers of tansy, wormwood has a good antiparasitic effect. Mix 2 tablespoons of each component and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Give the cat 3 tablespoons in the morning for three days.

Pumpkin seeds are the most popular treatment for helminthiasis. You can prepare an infusion from them: peel 300 g of seeds, keeping the shell, crush, add 50 ml of water and 15 g of honey. Feed the resulting mixture to the pet for an hour, after 30 minutes do an enema.

Grind 5 g of seeds, add the same amount of pork fat (can be replaced with sunflower oil) and give the cat a drink. You need to do this for 5 days in a row. Allow the animal to starve a little before treatment.

Infusion of onions. Cut the onion into 4 parts, add a glass of hot water and water the cat for a week. It helps to get rid of worms in a cat with an enema of garlic tincture. To prepare the solution, chop 6 cloves of garlic and pour a glass of water. Let it brew for 2 hours.

Worms in cats - Prevention

Since there are many ways and sources of infection of cats with helminths, it is necessary to follow some rules that will help prevent infestation:

  • never give a cat raw fish and meat, they must be thoroughly boiled;
  • frequent change of litter, the contents of the cat litter box, maintaining their cleanliness, periodic disinfection;
  • periodically carry out preventive deworming of a cat: at least once every 3 months (especially for animals that often walk in the fresh air in the yard, park and other walking places), 2 weeks before the intended mating and 10 days before delivery;
  • thorough disinfection of places visited by animals after preventive and therapeutic deworming;
  • treatment of cats with drugs against fleas, which can also be sources of infestation.

Find out more:

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