Symptoms And Possible Treatments For Cat Health Worm Problems

With Cat health worm problems result from internal and external worms that cause many different health problems. Thinking internal worms, there is the heartworm, tapeworm, hookworm and roundworms. Usually you see no signs of worms unless you really know what to look for. Because these worms, except for heartworm, can infect people as well. Some common signs might include lack of the ability to gain weight, dull coats and in some cases diarrhea.

Cat Health Worm and the Heartworm
Heartworms do affect cats, but not as much as they do dogs. The sign of heartworm in cats is anorexia. A cat will become so underweight and experience bouts of vomiting causing concern in for owners. These worms are deadly and need prevention rather than treatment to protect the kitten and full-grown cat.

Roundworm and the Cat Health Worm Issue
Roundworms grow to be about four inches long and live in the intestine of the cat. Roundworms appear in the stool and vomit of a cat as they populate inside the cat. The cat may also show signs of bloating and in some cases, will block the intestines to prevent bowel movements. If you catch this problem early enough, you can prevent some further complications that may put your cat at risk of death.

Hookworms and the Cat Health Worm Problem
Hookworms live inside the cat and suck the blood from the cat usually causing the cat to become anemic. These worms live in the intestines and are generally found in younger cats rather than in older cats. Older cats seem to develop an immunity to fight the hookworm that kittens do not have at such a young age.

Cat Health Worm Problems and the Tapeworm
Tapeworms feed from the cat and cause the cats to become weak and listless if not treated. In young kittens, these worms hinder the growth and can cause death if not treated early. You see these worms by the rectum and they appear to be little pieces of rice.

Treatment of Intestinal Worms
If you bring a kitten home without treating it for worms, chances are, if you have other cats, they will become infected. The thought that all kittens have worms, is not true. Kittens born outside probably do, but kittens born inside to a properly cared for mother may not. If you have a kitten with worms, an over the counter de-wormer works great. You may need to treat more than once, but generally speaking, one dose for an inside cat usually cures the problem.

Heartworm prevention is the only way to protect the cat. If an animal contracts the heartworm, killing the worm may and not of the time does kill the pet. These worms affect cats and dogs, but for cats, it appears to cause health problems earlier than with a dog. Prevention always saves lives and keeps the cat happy and healthy. Cat health worm and potential problems need immediate attention to prevent further health complications.