Common Name (Scientific Name) | How Contracted | Signs | Control and Prevention* |
---|---|---|---|
Hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme, A. braziliense, A. ceylanicum, Uncinaria stenocephala) | Ingestion of larvae in environment or by eating infected rodents; penetration of skin by larvae | Often no signs; weight loss and anemia can occur. | Several drugs are available for treating hookworm infection. Some heartworm preventives also control hookworms. |
Roundworms (Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara cati) | T. cati—sometimes passed from mother to kittens during nursing Both species—ingestion of eggs or eating infected rodents | Often no signs; diarrhea, poor growth, dull coat, or a distended, swollen abdomen; worms may be vomited or passed in feces | Kittens should be dewormed on multiple occasions in the first 3 months of life; some monthly heartworm preventives will also prevent roundworm infection. |
Stomach worms (Physaloptera species) | Cats eat hosts (beetles, cockroaches, crickets, mice, frogs) | Often no signs. Stomach inflammation which can result in vomiting, loss of appetite, and dark feces. In heavy infections, anemia and weight loss. | Several drugs from your veterinarian can be used to treat infection. |
Ollulanus tricuspis | Cats pick up infection through contaminated vomit | Gastritis (stomach inflammation); causes vomiting minutes to a few hours after a meal | Drugs are available from your veterinarian to treat infection. |
Tapeworms (cestodes), (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis) | Eating infected fleas or prey animals | Most infections have few signs. Poor absorption of food or diarrhea may occur; unthriftiness. | Control requires medication to treat the tapeworms and preventing access to prey animals so the cat isn’t reinfected. Flea control is also important for D. caninum. |
Threadworms (Strongyloides species) | Occurs more frequently in conditions of crowded, wet, unsanitary housing. Infective stage in environment penetrates skin; also swallowed | Bloody, watery diarrhea, emaciation, and reduced growth rate. Disease can be life-threatening in cats with a weakened immune system. | Drugs are available from your veterinarian to treat infection. Isolation of sick animals; thorough washing of pet living areas. . Use caution when handling infected pets because the worms can cause serious disease in people. |
*A number of antiparasitic drugs (anthelmintics) are available to treat parasites in cats. |