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Care of your cat: Worms
It is estimated that
three out of every four Australian cats carry intestinal
worms. Not only can worms make your cat sick, some species
of worms can also be transferred to humans, with children
being most at risk.
Together with information about the most common
gastrointestinal worms, we have also presented here an
outline of our recommended worm
control programme
for cats. We gratefully acknowledge Bayer (maker of
Drontal®
Allwormer tablets for cats) for their permission to use the
diagrams below.
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Hookworms
in cats may reach 7-12 mm in length and can infect
animals from the environment. This occurs when
worms are swallowed or penetrate through the
skin.
Hookworms cause a variety of clinical signs,
including weight loss, poor appetite, diarrhoea,
lethargy and depression.
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Roundworms
may reach 10 cm in length, and can infect cats when
worms are swallowed.
Roundworms cause a variety of clinical signs,
including coughing, diarrhoea, vomiting, bowel
obstruction, pneumonia, a dull coat and a swollen
abdomen. Severe infections can be fatal.
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Tapeworms
may reach 50-60 cm in length. The Common Flea
Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) infects cats
after ingestion of infected fleas. The Taenia
Tapeworm (Taenia taeniaeformis) infects cats
after they eat infected rodents.
These tapeworms cause irritation and itching around
the anus but are not considered to be a major
health risk.
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Control
of Gastrointestinal Worms in your cat
Regular
de-worming of all pets, including pregnant queens and
kittens, will minimise infestation of your cat and help
prevention infection of humans.
It is
also important to maintain a hygienic
environment:
- Remove
faeces from litter trays and children's sand pits and
dispose of thoroughly
- Clean
sleeping areas regularly
- Feed
your cat quality cooked or tinned meat - no
offal
- Always
wash your hands after handling your pet and before
eating, and remember that it is particularly important
for children to be taught this!
- Do
not let pets lick your face
- Use
a complete flea control programme, and control other
intermediate hosts such as rats and mice
De-worming
your cat
A
wide variety of cat de-worming preparations are available
from our Hospital, including basic
allwormers and combination medications which incorporate
heartworm prevention, flea control and ear mite control. (If
you need a little help to give your cat pills, read our
advice on the best method to give
your cat tablet medication.)
Allwormer
preparations should be given every three months to adult
cats. A syrup suspension should be given to kittens at the
following intervals: two consecutive days at four and eight
weeks, at twelve weeks of age, then every three months, as
for adult cats.
If
you would like any advice on gastrointestinal worm control
in your cat, please don't hesitate to give
us a call,
or drop in and speak to one of our
staff.
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Drontal®
is a trademark of Bayer A.G. Leverkusen,
Germany.
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