How to understand that a cat has worms?

The cat does not go outside, does not hunt mice and birds, does not eat raw fish, does not communicate with four-legged friends... It is practically a sterile animal! And yet, any veterinarian shakes his head reproachfully when he learns that deworming has not been done to a domestic cat for the reasons stated above. Fortunately, uninvited "lodgers" are driven out quite easily and safely, if the state of the beast is not too neglected. A memo on how to understand that a cat has worms is necessary for every owner: helminths happily wander from the cat's body and back, and the pet's problem unnoticed in time will become a problem for the whole family.

Sources of infection

Helminthiasis is the first preliminary diagnosis made by veterinarians in absentia when listing the most common symptoms behavior and condition of the cat. Rather, doctors strive to immediately exclude parasites from the list, so they are interested in whether the animal was dewormed, when and with what drugs. And if it turns out that the cat is "very domestic and clean", therefore, is not familiar with worms, then it is advised not only to "proglist" her, but also to do the same with all family members (of course, drugs from a human first-aid kit).

To cut off the usual doubts of pet owners about reinsured veterinarians (“And how will worms get into a cat?”), We tell:

  • flies, fleas, midges and other insects carry parasite eggs, which move freely between the natural environment and human habitation;
  • if the appearance of insects in your apartment is excluded, then their contact with things that you bring into the house is more than likely (in shops, in warehouses, during transportation);
  • people carry eggs of parasites mainly on shoes (we have the charm of the free life of dogs and cats - in the freedom to choose a place to send large and small needs), and washing your hands after the street will not save you from “guests” (and just let the cats rub their clean muzzle on the shoes of their beloved owner or lie on the door rug);
  • eggs of parasites come to us with meat, fish and offal, and even freezing will not protect us 100% (parasites survive in some cases), and many cats prefer raw.

Symptoms of helminthiasis

How to understand that a cat has worms? The situation is usually complicated by the fact that the symptoms of helminthiasis are similar to the symptoms of many diseases, and sometimes a cat is treated at home for something completely different (as well as vice versa - an animal that needs other medical care is worm-driven). Therefore, the surest remedy is the analysis of feces in the laboratory of a veterinary clinic. This is done quickly, and along the way, a number of other problems are revealed, which are usually not paid attention to.

What if the clinic is unavailable for a number of reasons? Observe the cat closely and compare the symptoms methodically.

  • The animal loses weight greatly with the usual diet and appetite;
  • the appetite increases, but the pet's body weight remains the same;
  • appetite decreases, constant intense thirst arises;
  • the cat becomes lethargic and inactive;
  • the animal periodically and systematically has problems with the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, blood and mucus in the stool);
  • in small kittens, the belly is strongly swollen for a long time;
  • the cat has an enlarged liver;
  • the animal constantly licks or gnaws at the anus;
  • the cat coughs without visible signs of a cold or respiratory illness (mucus in the nose, fever, pain when swallowing);
  • the whites of the eyes and mucous membranes acquired a yellow tint.

As already mentioned, all these symptoms are characteristic of a number of other diseases. And helminthiasis can be generally asymptomatic in the early stages. With severe damage to the body, parasites can be seen with the naked eye in feces: their segments look like dry rice grains, and live helminths look like thin threadlike or flat worms.

Suspicious owners, discovering that their furry pet eats too much and sleeps a lot, are afraid of helminthic invasion. Fearing harm to the animal, they are looking for additional ways to understand if a cat has worms. It is not at all necessary that they have already appeared in the purr, but prophylaxis once every six months is a prerequisite for keeping an animal at home. An exception is made only for pregnant, lactating, very old or sick pets.

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