Intestinal worms in cats is not uncommon in Norway – and it is often roundworms and tapeworms that are the problem. Cats are more susceptible to intestinal worms than dogs because these hunters tend to eat prey they can get their hands on. Read on to learn more about the different types of intestinal worms in cats and how to get rid of them!
Table of contents
Different types of intestinal worms in cats
Coil worm
This is the most common intestinal worm in cats. The adult worms are long, whitish-yellow in color – similar to cooked spaghetti – and measure approximately 5–12 cm in length. The adult worms reside in the cat’s intestines – but during the larval stage they migrate around the body’s organs and can form small cysts.
Like puppies, kittens can be infected with these worms through their mother’s milk – and within three weeks, adult worms can already be in the kitten’s intestines. This is why it is important to give kittens and mother cats regular worming treatments. In rare cases, roundworms can also be transmitted to humans – but cats have their own variant of roundworm – known as Toxocara cati.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are also not an uncommon intestinal worm in cats – and you can sometimes see small “grains of rice” near the anus or the cat’s tail. However, these do not pose a danger to humans. The tapeworm takes up residence in the cat’s intestines and is transmitted via feces or through prey. The worm’s body is long and flat and is made up of several “joints” that contain eggs.
Lungworm
Lungworms are more prevalent in Western Norway – and adult lungworms are about 1 cm long. The larvae are so small that they can only be seen under a microscope. The adult worms live in the cat's lung tissue and can cause respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and coughing. Sometimes signs of infection can also be observed on X-rays of the cat's lungs.
It is important to note that not all deworming medications are effective against lungworms – so if infection is suspected – it is recommended to perform an analysis of your cat's feces to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
How are intestinal worms transmitted?
Cats become infected by ingesting the eggs that are on the ground after an infected animal has defecated or by eating so-called intermediate hosts such as mice, other rodents, some insects or earthworms. Fresh feces do not contain the infection as it takes at least three weeks from the time a dog lays eggs in the feces for the eggs to become infectious. Inside each egg is a small larva that must develop – and the time this takes depends on temperature and humidity and can vary from three weeks to several months.
If cats eat infected eggs – these hatch in the cat’s intestines. The larvae migrate from the intestines through the body to the liver, then to the lungs before being coughed up, swallowed again and the adult roundworms can lay new eggs in the intestines.
Symptoms of intestinal worms in cats
Infection with roundworms can be asymptomatic – but if the cat has large numbers of worms, the condition can lead to poor growth in kittens, poor coat quality, general poor general condition and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea or weight loss. Walking larvae can cause respiratory symptoms in kittens and more serious illness. Roundworm eggs can be detected in the stool by microscopic examination in a laboratory. Roundworms can also occasionally be seen in vomit or stool.
Other general symptoms that can appear with intestinal worms in cats
- weight Reduction
- Blinker prolapse (third eyelid becomes visible in the corner of the eye or partially covers the eye – in one or both eyes)
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Reap
- Dull coat – fur loss
- Licking/itching and red skin in the anal area
- Distended stomach
How to treat intestinal worms in cats?
We recommend that outdoor cats be treated for intestinal worms 3–4 times a year – especially if your kitty likes to hunt. It is also a good idea to treat cats that only go outside once in a while or go out on a leash. For indoor cats, deworming once a year or as needed is often sufficient.
For kittens, deworming is recommended at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age – then at 6 months and 12 months of age. If you have a mother cat who is still nursing – it is a good idea to treat both mother and kittens at the same time when the kittens are 2, 4 and 6 weeks old. Remember to inform your vet that the mother has kittens so that you can get a prescription for the correct deworming medication.
There are different types of deworming medications – and the medication can be obtained as drops applied to the neck, oral paste, and tablets.
Can you get a cat dewormer without a prescription?
Deworming for cats and dogs is a prescription drug in Norway to avoid excessive use of medication and incorrect medication. To prevent the development of resistance, it is important that the animal receives the right medication that is adapted to the individual situation. A veterinarian will be able to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the most suitable medication for your cat. At the same time, the veterinarian can give you useful information about how the cat should be dewormed and any customized treatment. In our veterinary clinic in Larvik, you can get a prescription for deworming for both cats and dogs.
