Worms in cats feces

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Worms are a known problem, familiar to almost all owners of pets. It is sad, but it is almost impossible to reliably protect your pets from this scourge. They can get anywhere. Eggs of parasites often get into the apartment on your clothes and shoes. In addition, some species of helminths are spread by fleas (cucumber tapeworm), and from them to protect the animal is even more difficult. A relatively common sign of infection are the worms in the cat in the feces.

Can you see the worms in the feces

Contrary to popular belief, this does not happen in all cases. In particular, it is relatively often possible to see more or less large parasitic nematodes. But this also happens only in cases when the degree of helminthic invasion is really serious. Dead worms can leave the intestine of the animal, but still it does not happen very often.

In addition, the bodies of worms are usually half dissolving, since after their death the mechanisms protecting the parasite from the action of the digestive enzymes no longer work. Where more often you can see only a small amount of mucus in the feces. As you can understand, this feature is also difficult to classify as characteristic.

Interestingly, one study by American veterinarians showed that about a third (!) Of all cats examined found eggs of round worms in the feces. And this – most likely, is far from the limit, since not all eggs of the worms in the stool can be identified.

Another thing – some varieties of cestodes. For example, a cucumber tapeworm, which we have already mentioned. The thing is that flat parasitic worms have one important feature. Every day, small segments are detached from their body, segments. The biological meaning of this “procedure” is that each of the fragments is jam-packed with parasite eggs. They can be seen in feces. And not only, unfortunately.

Life cycle of flat worms

The point is that the segments of cestodes are not just “baskets” for eggs. Rather, they are self-propelled delivery vehicles. What does it mean? It’s simple – fragments of parasite bodies can move independently. Movement is due to the spontaneous reduction of muscle fibers. During the movement they squeeze eggs out of themselves, dotting them all around. And such a segment can be anywhere. There are cases when such “containers” crawled on six and even eight meters! If your cat is used to sleep on the edge of your bed, you may well come across such a “gift” right on your pillow. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you often take your pet to the veterinarian.

I would also like to note that the worms look like a cat’s feces are not always as they think: whole worms (as we have already mentioned) are rarely detected. More often in faeces of an animal you can see whitish-yellowish fragments of their bodies.

Segments of cucumber tartar are very similar to cucumber seeds (in fact, this is what the name of the parasite came from). Thus, in cases where you see something unusual in the feces of your pet, it is very desirable to show it to a vet. You can even take a fragment that caused your embarrassment, or a fecal sample. In this case, the expert will be much easier to determine if your pet has worms.

Kittens and worms

Helminthiases always have a bad effect on the health of animals, but kittens suffer the worst infection. The younger your sick pet, the harder it will be. The fact is that growing kittens need a decent amount of nutrients. In helminthic invasion, most of them are “stolen” by parasites. Yes, so that for the needs of the kitten there is practically nothing left.

Moreover, the thickness of the mucous membrane in the intestines of the baby is very small (if compared with the gastrointestinal tract of adult animals), which increases the risk of perforation of the walls of the organ. Because of this, in the feces of kittens, sick of some parasitic disease, the worms themselves are rarely seen, but the most inexperienced breeder will be able to detect abundant admixtures of blood and mucus.

The worst part is that infants may be infected from the moment of their birth. How is this possible? It’s all about mother’s milk. Many species of round parasitic worms can infect animals through it. In rare cases, intrauterine infection is possible.

It should be taken into account that even when a kitten of mucus and blood appears in the feces, the analysis on the eggs of the worms may turn out to be negative. It happens because even sexually mature specimens of worms do not immediately begin to multiply. But the kitten does not become easier from this: even the larvae of the second stage (repeatedly migrated from the lungs) are able to deliver a lot of problems.

You can not see larvae with the naked eye, it’s better to be guided by the deterioration of the appearance of your little pet, to constant episodes of diarrhea alternating with constipation (similar symptoms, however, are also from dry food).

In addition, a pear-shaped figure almost always develops in sick kittens: the stomach at the same time is bloated and produces a deceptive impression that the animal is full and well-fed, but in fact it is not. If you feel his chest, you can easily feel the bulging rows of ribs.

Why do you need a cat’s tv to the vet?

Many breeders, especially those living in rural areas, surprisingly “lightly” refer to the fact of infection of their pets with helminths. Some people consider them an inevitable evil. And really, at first glance, the body of physically strong cats worms really do not bring any visible harm. But in fact, this is far from the case.

Parasites are an inexhaustible source of toxins. Even after the death of their bodies, a lot of substances are released, which in no way contribute to the health of the cat. Especially hard is her liver, kidneys and brain. The latter, by the way, under the influence of toxins swells and swells, which can lead to neurologic attacks.

But, however, before this comes rarely. Many common types of parasites (especially from the number of roundworms) reproduce quite intensively. In young animals and kittens, their unrestrained reproduction ends poorly: the bodies of nematodes tightly clog the lumen of the intestines, which subsequently simply burst, unable to withstand internal pressure.

How to be?

Only prevention can more or less reliably protect the cat from such a sad outcome. It consists in buying only high-quality feed from proven producers. It is necessary to take your pet to the vet at least once a quarter in order to take samples of stool and check them for the presence of eggs worm. The sooner the treatment is started, the less damage the cat will suffer.

If you live in an area where the intensity of helminthic invasions is high (especially in the southern part of our country), it is necessary to treat your pets in preventive doses of antihelminthic substances in the spring and summer. Their dosage should always be discussed with a specialist. In the event that you noticed that your pet has at least some signs of helminthic invasion, you should immediately contact the veterinarian.

Some of the parasites are the causes of diseases not only of animals, but also of their hosts. Worms can be especially dangerous for the health of children and the elderly, since their immune system can not cope with infection.

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