article marketing
Cerca:

Home | English Articles


4 Cat Parasites to Watch Out For

By: Kurt Schmitt

While not usually fatal, cat parasites are a common occurrence. If left untreated, they may cause serious damage, so it's a good idea to know something about them.

This article covers some of the more common feline parasites and associated signs and symptoms. In some cases, your cat may become susceptible to secondary bacterial and fungal infections, some of which could be severe.

Ear Mites -- The most common symptoms of ear mites in cats are head shaking and frequent scratching of the ears. Mites are the most common cause of outer-ear inflammation in domestic cats. The most obvious sign is a build up of dry, black wax that often looks like coffee grounds.

Ear mites need to be treated by a veterinarian since improper cleaning of the ear can make the condition worse and damage the ear. In more severe cases, these tiny crab like parasites can cause a rupture of the ear drum, and may lead to secondary infections, seizures and deafness.

Giardia -- Giardia is a single-celled parasite that causes an intestinal infection known as Giardiasis. Giardia is protected by an outer shell, so it can survive outside the body for a long period of time. Infection rates are relatively low in cats, but it can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

This condition may lead to acute diarrhea, vomiting, and bowel movements containing blood. Your veterinarian will prescribe anti-parasitic treatment along with methods to counteract the dehydration that goes along with it.

Worms in Cats -- Hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whip worms are some common cat parasites of the worm variety. Worms generally live in the intestines and steal your cat of nutrients and blood.

Worms can lead to a number of symptoms, including excessive vomiting and diarrhea, weight loss, constipation, and anemia. Left untreated, worms can cause serious illness or death, especially in elderly cats and kittens.

Testing should be done at least once a year at your cat's annual check up. Multiple treatments may be required to eradicate the worms.

Fleas in Cats -- Fleas feed on your cat's blood. In some cases, they may cause severe discomfort. Symptoms of flea infestation include itching, and your cat may be scratching or licking excessively.

Flea control is essential to controlling another cat parasite, the tapeworm. Fleas may ingest tapeworm eggs. In the process of grooming, your cat may ingest the flea, and therefore the tapeworm egg along with it.

Eliminating fleas requires treating both your cat and the environment she lives in, including eliminating the eggs.

Dehydration is a highly dangerous result of the excessive diarrhea and vomiting that may occur with some parasites. Contact your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment if you suspect your cat has a parasite.

Italian Article Marketing Directory: http://www.articolando.com

Author Kurt Schmitt has created a website for cat lovers including information on cat parasite symptoms and signs and other cat health problems





social bookmarking

Vota l'articolo

 

Not yet Rated

Clicca sulla icona XML per ricevere English Articles Via RSS!

realizzazione siti cagliari| creazione siti sardegna

Powered by Article Dashboard