Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. Worms alone aren’t going to kill your kitten unless it is an extremely bad infestation and they are very tiny. You need to get a good quality worm treatment from your vet as soon as they open. Over the counter ones are not as effective.
How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?
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Tapeworms can live up to two years if untreated, but often do not cause great harm to their host. These worms can grow up to 20 inches long, however, they are usually smaller. Tapeworm infestations are fairly common in cats, and veterinary treatment is very effective at eradicating them.
Tapeworms in cats are common intestinal parasites that often cause diarrhea. Infections can range from mild to potentially life-threatening, but are easily cured with medication.
How Do Tapeworms Affect My Cat? Cat tapeworms are gross, but veterinarians consider them a minor parasite. That`s because they are unlikely to do any lasting harm to your pet, according to the Drake Center for Veterinary Care.
You may see roundworms in your cat`s feces or vomit. Your veterinarian can help you with roundworm prevention, examination, and treatment. Other kinds of worms that cats can get include heartworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.
These tabs require only a single administration to start working and effectively eliminate tapeworms within 3 weeks; although, some cats may require another 2-3 week period of treatment.
The most effective medication for killing tapeworms in cats is praziquantel. It is the only drug that is effective against all species of tapeworm, and comes in tablet, injectable and topical forms.
Worms in cats can potentially cause pain. The migration of larvae through the liver, stomach, eye, or lungs would cause discomfort as the affected tissues become inflamed from the disruption.
Yes, they can. Cats with worms may experience a change in bowel habits, particularly the onset of diarrhoea. This can be a symptom of worms, but whether this is cause or not, it`s important to take your cat to see the vet if they experience this.
Tapeworms cannot be directly transmitted from cats to people, but people can become infected if their cats are infested with fleas and those fleas carry tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum). Tapeworm infections occur most commonly in infants and children, who become infected by ingesting infected fleas.
Because tapeworms feed on the nutrients passed in the small intestine, your cat may seem more hungry than usual as she is unwittingly sharing her meals with a nasty intestinal parasite. If the infestation lasts long enough, your cat might even lose weight.
Dogs and cats with these worms pass worm eggs or larvae in their feces (poop). Because pets will pass feces anywhere, these eggs may contaminate a large area quickly. These worm eggs and larvae can survive for weeks and even years in areas such as parks, playgrounds, and yards.
Most worms that infect cats, such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, live in the digestive tract and are expelled from the body in the feces. However, there may be cases of some parasites in a cat`s urine, such as Capillaria plica, a type of worm that can infect cats` urethras and bladders.
An infection with the most common species of tapeworms in cats is not transmissible to humans, and when treated promptly, the prognosis is good.
Yes, it`s possible for you to get worms from your cat if she sleeps in your bed. It`s not a grave risk, but it is a possibility. The parasite eggs (oocytes) that develop into worms can be transmitted to humans.
Tapeworms are only usually a problem in older cats, unless a kitten also has fleas. Treat adult cats (greater than 6 months of age) every 1-3 months with a product that is effective against both tapeworms and roundworms.
Cats infected with roundworms are typically given a deworming medication by mouth, which will immediately start killing the worms, Nichols says. Cats with a high number of roundworms may need multiple doses. Because roundworms are so common in kittens, they`re usually given deworming drugs as a precaution.
Thankfully, most intestinal worms in cats are easily resolved with either a single dose of dewormer or a short course of deworming medication that your vet can prescribe and administer.
Because worms are parasites that feed on your cat`s nutrients and, in some cases their blood, cats can develop a host of health problems, such as anaemia. In severe cases of worm infestations, they can block the intestines, causing very serious health issues. In rare cases, worms can be fatal, especially for kittens.
Worms rarely cause serious problems in adult cats, but they can cause serious dehydration, anaemia, gut blockages and even death in kittens.
When to contact your vet. If your kitten has diarrhea but acts normal, aka is still playing, eating, and drinking, closely monitor them and as long as it doesn`t last longer than 24 hours it should be okay. If in doubt call your vet!
The worms should be gone in two to three weeks after administering the dewormer medication. A second deworming might be needed a few weeks later to eliminate all the worms because the medication affects life cycle stages differently.
All of your cat`s bedding, including its bed and any blankets, should be washed. In your washing machine, wash the fabric in hot soapy water and then dry on high heat. Washing may need to be done daily until the worm threat has passed, which might take two to three weeks.
The other host is where the larva become adults, called the definitive host. For example, beef tapeworms need cattle and humans to go through a complete life cycle. The beef tapeworm eggs can survive in the environment for months or years.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Q. I have two 3 week old kittens that I am bottle feeding. The kittens both have diareaa and there buts are red. Is there anything I can do ?
ANSWER : A. Diarrhea in kittens can be caused by many things, including intestinal parasites (very common in kittens), wrong formula, recent changes in diet (from queen’s milk to formula or from one formula to another), and other gastrointestinal upsets. Their bottoms are likely red and irritated from the diarrhea soiling the fur and skin, trapping moisture against the skin and serving as a breeding ground for bacteria. First, stop feeding the formula. Second, collect a fecal sample to be analyzed by your veterinarian for intestinal parasites. Third, call your vet and make an appointment as soon as possible, ideally the same day. Diarrhea in kittens is serious business and can lead to death from dehydration and loss of nutrients. Finally, in place of formula give an electrolyte replacement solution (like Pedialyte for infants/children) – plain, no flavors, no colors – for at least the next 1-2 feedings. This is not the same as a sports drink. After the 1st or 2nd feeding of straight electrolyte replacement solution, start to add formula back into diet at 1/4 strength ( 1 part formula to 3 parts water), The following feeding mix 2 parts formula to 2 parts water. Then, 3 parts formula to 1 part water. Finally, offer full-strength formula. If the diarrhea continues or worsens with increasing amounts of formula, go back to just electrolyte solution and repeat the process.
Read Full Q/A … : Raising Orphaned kittens Part 2: What to do, week by week
Q. Wants to go out very frequently. Has fecal matter attached to anus but won’t let me remove it. She won’t sleep and wants to stay on my lap.
ANSWER : A. So I’m hearing a couple of problems going on. Frequent defecation with diarrhea (I’m assuming, since there’s fecal matter attached and the anus, and typically it only “sticks” when it’s soft) and lethargy/clinginess. Pretty general signs, however let’s focus on the diarrhea and assume it’s a GI thing. You didn’t tell me whether this is a cat or dog but I’ll assume dog since you said she goes outside to defecate.
Diarrhea may or may not be a sign of a serious disease. I don’t get especially concerned with one or two episodes in an animal who seems to feel completely normally otherwise, but what you’re describing sounds concerning. Your dog is restless, can’t get comfortable, and is somewhat needy – all of those indicate discomfort to me.
Without knowing how old your dog is it’s pretty difficult to get specific about causes, but I’ll mention some possibilities. Certainly parasites, including giardia, can cause diarrhea, as well as bacterial or viral infections in the gut. Indiscriminate eating, which dogs are master of, can cause diarrhea. Food allergies or sensitivities as well as inflammatory bowel disease are on the list. More serious causes include liver, kidney, or pancreatic disease, as well as intestinal cancers.
I’m hoping this has only been going on for a little while. You can try feeding a bland/high-fiber diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice (25% chicken and 75% rice) in small (1/4 to 1/2 cup) amounts frequently (every two hours). If the diarrhea doesn’t resolve in 12 hours see a veterinarian. If she’s vomiting or won’t eat at all, see a vet sooner.
Read Full Q/A … : Leerburg
Q. Our cat has started pooping (diarrhea) having to go a lot some crying while going. Desperate if she has to go prior she rubbed her bottom scooting. TY
ANSWER : A. It is possible the diarrhea or other digestive upset is causing pain, which is why she is crying while attempting to go potty. Diarrhea can be a sign of a number of things, including internal parasites, digestive disorders, obstructions or as part of illness. It is best to bring in a sample of her stool to your local vet for an exam to check for the most common causes of diarrhea. Your vet may also want you to bring your cat in for a full exam as well to check for illness and look for any other clues as to why she has started having diarrhea. Until you can get to the vet, a bland meal of plain boiled chicken may help keep her eating and soothe her stomach, however veterinary care is best.
Read Full Q/A … : Vetinfo
Q. i believe my cat is pregnant but showing signs of being in heat
ANSWER : A. Cats are induced ovulators, meaning they will continue to go into heat until they are bred, or spayed (reproductive organs removed). If your cat is showing signs of being in heat (excessive yowling, presenting her rear to you for inspection, attempting to get out or other cats hanging near your house) and you don’t want kittens, it is best to have her spayed. Most cats are also semi-seasonal in their heat cycle meaning they will more likely be in heat through Spring-Summer than in Fall-Winter.
Pregnancy in cats lasts about 60 days. Signs of pregnancy may include weight gain, increased appetite, nipples that become pronounced or “leak” and seeking nesting areas to deliver kittens. If you saw that your cat was in heat, or had her mated, you can use the date she was bred to determine when she may be due for kittens. Your local vet can help determine if she is indeed pregnant and can also take an X-ray to determine the number of kittens present if your cat is nearing her due date. Be sure to feed mom a kitten formula in the last few weeks of her pregnancy and during nursing as it will help provide extra beneficial nutrients for both mom and babies.
If you do not want kittens, some very early term pregnancies can be aborted with spaying, otherwise spaying mom is usually done when kittens are weaned from their mom.
Read Full Q/A … : How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant: 12 Steps (with Pictures)
Q. I recently added a new 2 month old female kitten to my house and my male 5 month the old kitten has turned aggressive and chases the kitten down..
ANSWER : A. It is possible it could be play behavior but without seeing it in person, hard to say. Is the male kitten neutered? You may want to consider doing so. Also, try re-introducing the kittens slowly by creating a safe space for the new kitten behind a closed door in a room. Keep her there for at least a week so she is protected but your male is still able to smell her. After a week or 2, you can then graduate to using a baby gate so they can then not only smell each other but safely see each other as well. If that is going okay, after another few days you can bring the gate down. Also, be sure to have feeding bowls in separate locations and at least 2 litter boxes.
Read Full Q/A … : Ragdoll Cats
Q. My 10 week old kitten has had diarrhea for 3 weeks. I put her on a ground turkey/pumpkin diet and it went away but then came back on reg food
ANSWER : A. It is possible your kitten may have a food allergy to an ingredient in the regular food (such as wheat, corn, soy or even proteins) or may have something internal such as parasites causing the chronic diarrhea. It is a good idea to bring in a sample of her stool to your local vet to have it checked for the most common causes of diarrhea, as well as to examine the ingredients of her regular food to check for any common allergens that can be triggering the diarrhea. Your vet can help you with treatment of any issues such as parasites and can also recommend allergen-friendly foods that may be gentler on your kitten’s digestive system.
Read Full Q/A … : Kitten Diarrhea – How to Best Help Cats and Kittens with …
Q. I have a 1yr old male 38 lb Labradoodle and my gf just brought a month old kitten home. Can they interact? If not, for how long?
ANSWER : A. Interactions whenever a new pet is brought into the house should start off slow, then can be increased in time. The best steps when introducing a new cat is to allow your cat or kitten to have a room in the house all to him or herself. Allow your dog to sniff under the door to get used to the kitten’s scent, and even show your dog articles such as bedding the cat has slept on. After a few days, an introduction with your dog on leash, or a barrier such as a gate where both pets can look at each other but not see each other is best. This will allow each to get used to seeing the other without the ability to jump, bite or scratch the other. Once the two are used to this, then a face to face interaction can begin. If at any time a fight or scuffle breaks out, separate the two pets and try again at a later time. The amount of time this introduction takes can vary depending on how the two react to each other.
Until your kitten is older, or you are sure both are fine together, do not leave the two pets together unattended. Even a well-meaning and playful dog can accidentally break a leg of a kitten or worse without meaning to! A safe room for your kitten to be in while you are away, or a barrier to allow your kitten to escape to safety if needed will help until both are big enough to play alone safely.
Read Full Q/A … : Dogs and Jealousy
Q. My dog has suffered from diarrhea with vomit and bloody stools for about 3 months. Vet has given Metronidazole, but hasn’t been effective
ANSWER : A. Several things can cause a dog’s diarrhea, and chronic diarrhea can sometimes be hard to treat. However the most common causes of chronic diarrhea can be from food allergies to certain ingredients in the diet as well as a disruption in the gut bacteria. Metronidazole helps with chronic diarrhea in some cases if there is an underlying bacterial condition. Checking your dog’s food for common allergens such as wheat, corn or soy products may alert you to a problem as these can cause a lot of digestive issues in some dogs. Some dogs may also be allergic to more common protein types such as beef, lamb or even chicken, so finding a food with an alternate protein source can also help. Natural remedies to help clear up diarrhea can also include adding plain yogurt to meals to seed the gut with healthy bacteria, or adding pureed pumpkin to provide a fiber boost to firm up stools. However, if these things don’t help with the diarrhea, additional testing and treatment with your vet is best.
Read Full Q/A … : Causes of Blood in Dog Stool
