Furbabies
Cat Care Site
Intestinal Parasites
The Basics
Intestinal parasites are common in kittens. The most common signs of infestation are failure to thrive, increased appetite, pot-bellied appearance and a dry shaggy coat.
Treatment is targeted at Toxocara cati and Tapeworms. Kittens should be treated before eggs appear in the faeces (feces). Treat your kitten at two, four, six, eight and twelve weeks of age, then monthly until six months old. Then treat every three months. Adult cats should be treated at least once per year.
If in doubt as to whether to treat your cat or not, your vet can perform an egg count on a faecal (fecal) sample from your cat.
Roundworms
Toxocara cati
Infection is very common. It is most common and significant in kittens.
Infection is picked up by kittens when they suckle milk from their mother
(transmammary infection). Eggs may appear in faeces (feces) of kittens from two months
old. Clinical signs may be seen in kittens from four weeks of age and older.
Heavy infections in kittens may result in diarrhoea (diarrhea), pot-bellied appearance,
poor condition and stunting of growth. Routine treatment of kittens before
weaning is recommended. Infection has little effect on adult cats.
Toxascaris leonina
Hookworms
Ancylostoma tubaeforme, A. caninum, A. braziliense
Uncinaria stenocephala
Tapeworms
Dipylidium caninum
A very common parasite. Affected cats usually do not show any clinical signs.
Tapeworm segments may be seen in the faeces (feces). Dehydrated segments may be seen
underneath the cat's tail (they look like grains of rice). Occasionally worms
may be present in vomit. Heavy D. caninum infections in kittens may
cause diarrhoea (diarrhea). Fleas and lice are intermediate hosts for D. caninum.
Good flea control will decrease the likelihood of your cat getting tapeworms.
Taenia taeniaeformis
A common parasite especially in hunting cats. Rodents are the intermediate
host.
Other Intestinal Parasites
Ollulanus tricuspis
An uncommon stomach parasite of cats. Diagnosis is difficult and rarely
attempted. This parasite is mainly a problem when many cats are housed
together (e.g. breeding cattery). Host resistance is effective in limiting
worm numbers. Most affected cats show no clinical signs. Some cats may have
chronic persistent gastroenteritis.
De-Worming Treatment Summary
| Active Ingredients | Roundworms T. cati T. leonina |
Hookworms Ancylostoma sp. U. stenocephala |
Tapeworms D. caninum T. taeniaeformis |
|---|---|---|---|
| levamisole & niclosamide (e.g. Ambex) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| piperazine (e.g. Pip A, Pip-Cit) |
Yes | -- | -- |
| praziquantel (e.g. Droncit, Paratak) |
-- | -- | Yes |
| pyrantel & epsiprantel (e.g. Exelpet Ezy-dose) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| pyrantel & niclosamide (e.g. Exelpet Paste, Felex Plus) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| pyrantel & praziquantel (e.g. Delquantel, Drontal, Exelpet Tablets) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| selamectin (e.g Revolution) |
T. cati | A. tubaeforme | -- |
References
Page S, The Complete Cat Owners Manual, Australia: Readers Digest, 1997
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