Both domestic cats and feral cats, are vulnerable to being a place for parasites to live in their bodies, such as roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. Kittens often get worms from their mother's milk, while adult cats can get worms from food containing worm eggs. Given that cats are prone to carrying worms in their bodies, it's a good idea to recognize the signs of a cat with intestinal worms so you can immediately go to the vet if symptoms start to appear. If left untreated, the worms can cause a cat's coat to become dull and swollen, but it's rarely critical. Deworming tends to be easily treated with the right medication, and with a little understanding, it's also easy to recognize the symptoms of a cat with intestinal worms.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Symptoms
Step 1. Watch for changes in the cat's coat
Usually the cat's fur is shiny, but in wormed cats, the coat will look dull.
This can occur as a result of dehydration or poor absorption of nutrients due to a parasitic infection
Step 2. Check your cat's gums
Healthy cats have pink gums, like human gums. If your cat's gums are white or pale, it could be a parasitic infection.
- To check your cat's gums, sit him on your lap while stroking the underside of his ear near his jaw. Use your fingers to open the upper jaw until the gums are visible.
- If the gums are pale, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Step 3. Check your cat's litter
It would be easier if you use a sandbox. Watch for the following symptoms:
- Dark stools indicate blood loss in the intestinal wall, where hookworms lodge.
- Diarrhea can also occur because the worms take up space in the intestines and interfere with digestion.
- If your cat has diarrhea for more than 24 hours, or if there is fresh blood and dark stools, take your cat to the doctor immediately.
Step 4. Watch for symptoms of vomiting
This is common in cats. If the frequency is frequent, it could be a sign that your cat has intestinal worms or another disease. Take him to the doctor immediately.
Worms can cause vomiting, either by blocking the flow to the stomach or by irritating the lining of the stomach
Step 5. Watch his appetite
The high content of worms can cause loss of appetite.
This is due to a number of factors such as inflammation of the lining of the intestine, abdominal pain, or the space in the intestine that the worms occupy
Step 6. Watch your cat's body shape change
Cats with worms usually have an enlarged stomach due to swelling.
Like vomiting, this symptom is common and can occur for a variety of reasons, but it's reason enough to take your cat to the vet
Step 7. Watch for signs of lethargy
Your cat or kitten will feel lethargic and lack energy as the worms steal their nutrients. Pay attention to any dramatic changes in your cat's energy level.
- Again, this is a common symptom of many ailments, but is reason enough to take him to the doctor.
- You know best your cat's normal behavior. So pay attention to whether there are changes that make them suddenly lethargic.
Part 2 of 3: Hints
Step 1. Check for worm eggs in your cat's feces
Use disposable gloves and an ice cream stick to check for signs of parasites.
- Tapeworms often leave their eggs on the surface of feces. It looks like a cucumber seed or sesame and sometimes moves.
- It's rare to have whole tapeworms in cat litter. Adult tapeworms can grow to a length of 60 cm.
- Roundworm eggs are too small to be seen with the naked eye. But sometimes whole worms come out with feces or when the cat vomits. It is shaped like spaghetti: long and smooth, with the same body diameter as pasta. Adult worms usually measure 7.5 - 15 cm.
- Hookworm eggs are very small. Adult worms are only 2 - 3 mm in size, so they are difficult to detect.
Step 2. Examine your cat's anus
Tapeworm eggs are often attached to the hair cells near the anus. If anything resembles white sesame seeds, it's worm eggs.
Step 3. Also check your cat's bedding and other favorite locations
Worm eggs usually stick to where your cat often sits. So it's a good idea to check if there are any eggs left in those locations.
Part 3 of 3: Testing
Step 1. Make an appointment with your veterinarian
Prepare a sample of your cat's feces for further examination and microscopic examination.
- Each worm has a different egg shape and recognizing the shape is the most effective way to find out what kind of worms are in your cat's body.
- Describe the symptoms you saw when you called the vet.
Step 2. Prepare the dirt sample
Keep it in a special place to be taken during a consultation to the clinic.
- Worm eggs are usually warm. For best results, store the stool sample in a cool, dark area.
- Do not store the sample in the same room where the feces are stored. Make sure to always wash your hands after taking a dirt sample.
- To reduce the chance of aberrant test results, some veterinarians will request three consecutive days of stool samples in the same container.
Step 3. Take your cat for a check-up
The doctor will examine and perform stool testing if deemed necessary.
If your cat does have worms, the doctor will prescribe medication
Tips
- It's important to remember that cats can carry worms, especially roundworms, in their bodies without showing any signs of illness. However, if the worms have time to lay eggs and breed in the cat's intestines, they can absorb the essential nutrients that the cat needs. If left unchecked can interfere with your cat's health. Take your cat to be checked regularly by a doctor to prevent diseases that may arise.
- You can minimize the occurrence of parasitic infections. Keep the sandbox clean by regularly removing dirt every day and washing the tub using a cleaning detergent at a ratio of 1:30.
- Clean your home using a vacuum cleaner at least once a week to prevent the spread of fleas.
Warning
- After examining your cat, wash your hands immediately and remove any debris in the litter box. Keep children away from cats for a while, until your cat gets treatment from the vet.
- Sometimes the results of the stool examination are not correct. Some parasites don't always show eggs, so you won't find worm eggs in the stool sample you're examining. Repeated examinations are necessary to get a proper diagnosis of parasitic infection.
