Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
eggs; you are more likely to see the worm segments.The segments look
like rice when they are fresh (you'll see these crawling around under
your cat's tail) and then like sesame seeds when they dry out (you'll see
these in places where your cat has been sitting).
Over-the-counter de-worming medications are available that can be
effective against some types of worms, but rarely are they effective against
tapeworms. If you choose to use a non-prescription de-worming med-
ication, read the label carefully to make sure you are treating for the
right worm and giving the appropriate dose. If you don't know what
type of worms your cat has, a visit to the veterinarian is advised.
Coccidia and giardia are protozoal parasites—one-celled organisms
that can be seen under a microscope. Both are common parasites, but
giardia is more difficult to find in a fecal examination.
All gastrointestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, but this symptom
will not always be present. It is possible for your cat to have worms
without you knowing it. During a routine physical exam, a veterinari-
an should look under the cat's tail to check for tapeworm segments. A
fecal exam should be performed on all kittens, and during an adult cat's
annual visit, it is a good idea to have a fecal sample checked.
Veterinarians can diagnose and treat intestinal parasites with medi-
cine that's specific for the type of parasite your cat has. Some parasites
can be eliminated with one treatment, but others need successive days
of treatment or repeated treatment two weeks later. Parasites are not
present in every fecal sample, so if your veterinarian recommends
repeating a fecal check, she has a good reason.
Worms are not deadly to a cat, but they make absorption of nutri-
ents less efficient and they can cause diarrhea. Small kittens with large
numbers of worms are affected the most, and their growth and condi-
tion can be impaired. Protozoal parasites are more dangerous than
PARASITES UNITED
Fleas and tapeworms are two parasites that have a connection.
Cats get tapeworms by ingesting fleas that are carrying tapeworm
larvae. Cats who hunt can pick up tapeworms from eating rodents
and rabbits carrying the parasites. Humans cannot get tapeworms
from their cats; a human would have to either eat a flea to get the
same tapeworms or ingest tapeworm eggs from the environment
or in raw meat.
