Roundworms and tapeworms are the most common types of worms that infect cats. Some of the infesters are namely, Toxocara cati (roundworm), Toxocaris leonina (roundworm), Diplidium caninum (tapeworm), Taenia taeniaeformis (tapeworm), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (lungworm) and Toxoplasma gondii (parasite). Unless the cat has a heavy infestation (thus making the symptoms more obvious), it isn't always easy to tell if it has worms. It has been estimated that 5 out of 10 cats have worms at any point of time. Both roundworms and tapeworms can be picked up from the cat's prey, rodents and birds for example. Roundworms are passed from cat to cat via eggs and larvae in their feces. These eggs and larvae continue to live in the soil for months or even years. The cat picks them up on its coat and paws and then ingests them while grooming - thus infecting the cat, and so the cycle goes on. Worming treatments for your cat must be carried out on a regular basis so as to prevent re-infestation. The symptoms will range from none to vomiting, diarrhea, pot-bellied appearance, dehydration, weight loss and loss of normal condition.
Toxocara cati is a white roundworm, which most frequently infects young kittens, and is passed through the mother's milk. A cat should be treated for worms during its pregnancy and while feeding her kittens, also the kittens should be treated every few weeks. The roundworm larvae travel around the body and may settle in the eye and, in some cases, may even cause impairment of vision. Toxascaris leonina is a white roundworm, very similar to Toxocara cati, but much less common. Diplidium caninum is a segmented tapeworm that lives in the cat's small intestine. Each segment of the worm contains several maturing eggs. These segments, when passed from the cat, resemble small grains of rice. They may be noticed around the cat's anus, on the cat's coat or bedding. These segments cause anal irritation and excessive licking of this area. Tapeworms are spread usually by the ingestion of fleas. Tapeworms can infect humans so cats should be wormed regularly and a flea control program should be carried out.
Taenia taeniaeformis is also a segmented tapeworm; it is comparatively larger and less common than Dipylidium caninum. They have nothing to do with fleas as such but are transmitted from infected rats, mice and voles to the cat. The same worming treatment may be used as for dipylidium caninum. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a small worm which lives in the air passages of the lungs. There would be no outward sign of this worm unless the cat is heavily infested. If so, the cat would develop a rough cough. Toxoplasma gondii is a small parasite that lives in the cells lining the intestines of a cat. Cats can get this parasite if they eat infected meat which is raw or undercooked or by eating the infected muscles (containing the cysts of the parasite) of their prey. The cat will show no signs that it is infested with this parasite unless it has a severe infection. The signs of a severe infection are high temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia and heart and liver disease.
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