Tapeworms in cats
Tapeworms in cats
Tapeworms in cats
Associating tapeworm with your darling cat doesn't sound pleasant. If your cat is showing symptoms like lethargy or chronic diarrhea, it's time to take it to a veterinarian. It can be a case of tapeworms in cats. But don't worry; there are medicines available to treat tapeworm infection.
Tapeworms are parasites found in the intestine of cats. They are segmented flat worms and hermaphroditic in nature and thus have the capability to reproduce on their own.
There are three types of tapeworm species Dipylidium caninum, taenia and echinococcus which cause infection in cats. Among these Dipylidium caninum is the most common thingcat parasite. They are flat, white in color and segmented. Their length varies but can grow up to 20cm in length.
These cat worms affect the cat diet. The parasites suck the nutrients from the host body and results into cat illness. Moreover the infection is transferable to humans. So awareness regarding tapeworms in cats becomes necessary if you are having a pet cat.
How does a cat get infected by tapeworms?
The life cycle of a tapeworm begins when a flea feeds itself on fecal matter containing eggs of tapeworm.
These eggs hatch and become cysticercoids inside the flea.
A cat may swallow a flea containing these cysticercoids.
After this the flea enters into the cat's intestine.
Here it is broken down and the adult tapeworm gets developed from the cysticercoids.
The tapeworm feeds itself by robbing the nutrients from the host's body by attaching itself to the lining of the host's intestine.
The tail segment of the tapeworm drops off as soon as it attains maturity. Each mature segment contains tapeworm eggs. These segments have mobility in them. The egg packets reach to the environment through the cat's feces.
Then again the flea larvae ingest these eggs and the life cycle of tapeworm moves on.
Cats can also get infected by eating infected lizards or rodents.
How to recognize a cat is infected by tapeworms?
The dried sections of tapeworm looks like a rice grain. If the cat is infected these sections can be seen near the cat's anus. The infected cat's feces show mobility of segments. Moreover an infected cat may show signs like diarrhea, vomiting, dry and dull coat or weight loss.
Treatment of tapeworms in cats:
It is always advisable to consult a good veterinarian before giving any type of medicine to your pet. Treatment for the fleas as well as the tapeworm is required for an infected cat. Drontal is a good medicine to kill tapeworms both at immature and mature stage. Along with tapeworms in cats, it is also used to treat roundworms and hookworms. Praziquantel, niclosamiden and bunamidine are few other drugs which are helpful in treatment of tapeworms in cats.
Preventing tapeworms in cats:
It is always being said that "prevention is better than cure". The same applies for your dear pet also. Taking cat care is not at all difficult. Some precautions can save your cat from the infection. You just need to follow few things like:
Before feeding your cat cook the food well
Try to keep your cats away from lice and fleas
Prevent your cat from hunting rodents
Tapeworms in cats are not serious issues. Consult an experienced veterinarian and follow the above mention steps to avoid any type of infection to your cat.
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