7 Facts about Cat Roundworm

An infestation of cat roundworm is certainly cause for concern, but is usually less severe than other feline worms. They are quite common, though, and your cat will need to be treated. Your vet should be testing your kitten at the initial check ups and vaccination visits. Typically, vets treat kittens even when they test negative. After that, testing will be done once per year at your cat's annual check up.

Below are 7 things you should know about roundworm as it relates to your cat.

1. How cats get it - Roundworm eggs begin infiltrating your cat's body by getting into the intestinal tract orally. This can be from eating infected prey, or by coming in contact with eggs in the soil. This makes outdoor cats more susceptible, especially those that hunt. Kittens may contract the worm from their infected mothers. Dormant worms reactivate during pregnancy and sometimes make their way into the mammary glands.

2. Cat roundworm infestation is common - The infection rate in kittens is so high that some sources claim that almost all kittens have roundworm. An untreated case of roundworms in a kitten may result in death, although most cases are not severe.

3. What is roundworm - Cat roundworm (Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati) according to Cornell Feline Health Center, are the most common of the intestinal parasites that affect cats. T. leonina may also infect dogs, so your cat may not be the only one with a problem. Infection rates are an estimated 25 to 75% (higher in kittens than adults).

4. When you see them - Adult roundworms described as having thin, tubelike bodies that resemble strands of spaghetti. I know that's not very appealing, but you usually won't see them unless your cat vomits them up, which is also not very appealing. They are white-ish or cream in color.

5. Where they go once inside - Unlike hookworms and some others, roundworms are not tissue feeders. They do not attach themselves to the inside intestinal wall, but freely swim in the gut of the cat. The lifecycle is different for Toxascaris and Toxocara. T. leonina go straight to the intestines and take two to three months to mature. T. cati, on the other hand, migrate through tissue wall making their way to the throat via the lungs and back into the intestines.

6. What happens next - While inside your cat, female roundworms produce fertile eggs. Those eggs pass through the cat's intestines and out into the world in the feces. It takes up to several weeks for them to develop into the infective larva stage. It is interesting to note that they can remain infective for years.

7. How to prevent infection - Deworming queens prior to pregnancy may keep kittens from getting them that way. This is not always the case, though, since encysted forms of the worm are not killed by medications. The best recommendations for general prevention are restricting cats from roaming and hunting, and control of rodent and insect populations.

By and large, most other intestinal parasites cause more severe issues for your cat than roundworm. Adult cats can often have a case of roundworm and still appear healthy.

Unfortunately, if the intestines become blocked by a large enough number of worms, roundworm can become life-threatening. Kittens in particular are at risk. In addition, adult cats with compromised immune systems or certain pre-existing conditions will be at risk, as are older cats.

If you have an at risk kitten or older cat at home, you should have a discussion with your veterinarian about cat roundworm infection and treatment.

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

Kurt Schmitt keeps cat lovers informed about problems like cat roundworm and other feline illnesses.

Vota l'articolo

Not yet Rated

Clicca sulla icona XML per ricevere Pets and Animals Via RSS!

Altri articoli - Home | English Articles | Pets And Animals

Registrati per scrivere articoli
Scrivi Articolo
Articoli più popolari
Guida per inserimento articolo
Notifica E-zine
Articoli RSS Feeds

	Stampa l'articolo
	Aggiungi ai favoriti
	Segnala via email
	Ezine Ready

Contattaci
Directory
Ultime Notizie
Video Anni 80
Video Sigle Cartoni Animati
Video Musicali
Idee regalo di Natale

realizzazione siti cagliari| creazione siti sardegna