Intestinal worms (also known as parasitic helminths) are parasites that are found in the digestive tracts of animals and humans. Although they are a common health problem in pets, especially cats and dogs, they require fast treatment to avoid further health complications.
Luckily, there are many prevention and treatment options available that are fast and effective in eliminating these pests.
Continue reading to learn more about intestinal worms in cats and dogs.
What Are Intestinal Worms?
Intestinal worms are parasites that live in the digestive tract of humans and animals and feed off the nutrients and blood found there. Cats and dogs can become infected in various ways, including drinking or eating from contaminated sources or catching the parasite from another infected animal. Fleas can also transmit these parasites. Several different types of intestinal worms cause the same symptoms and require the same treatments.
What Are the Different Types of Intestinal Worms?
The most common types of intestinal worms found in dogs and cats include:
- Roundworms: Long, spaghetti-like worms that can enter the digestive tract by ingesting infected food or contaminated soil or even passing from mother to puppy or kitten during pregnancy or nursing. They can cause weight loss, lethargy or diarrhoea.
- Hookworms: Small, thin worms that are found in the intestines and thrive on your pet’s blood. They enter the digestive tract through contaminated soil, skin, or infected animals. Hookworms can cause weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea and anaemia.
- Tapeworms: Tapeworms are long, flat worms that live in the small intestines of cats and dogs. They are spread via fleas that are infected with tapeworm larvae.
- Whipworms: Whipworms are small, thin worms that can be found in the large intestine of cats and dogs. They are sometimes hard to detect, which can lead to serious health complications.
What Are the Symptoms of Intestinal Worms?
The symptoms of intestinal worms in cats and dogs include:
- Weight loss
- Diarrhoea or a change in bowel movements/habits
- Vomiting
- Visible white worms in your cat’s or dog’s stools or around their bottoms
- Reduced levels of energy (lethargy)
- Duller or more brittle fur coat
- Potbellied appearance
- Failure to thrive in puppies or kittens
- Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
- Coughing
- Scooting or excessive licking
Prevention
Because intestinal parasites have become such a common health problem in cats and dogs, prevention has become crucial. Regular worming methods can help protect your furry family members from the threat of intestinal worms, with tablets, chews, pastes and drops available to give your dog or cat the best protection possible.
Some other prevention methods you can take to protect your pets and family include:
- Clean environment: Keep your cat or dog’s living spaces, bedding, toys and litter as clean as possible.
- Clean litter tray: Clean up your cat’s litter tray every day.
- Flea prevention: Prevent fleas as they can carry tapeworm larvae.
- Pick up faeces: Clean up after your pets and pick up any faeces as quickly as possible, especially in public areas or your backyard.
- Good hygiene: Always practice good hygiene by washing your hands after touching or holding your pets.
- Regular vet visits: Taking your pets for regular vet checkups will ensure that any worm infestation is picked up quickly and treated.
Treatment
Effective treatments for worm infestations include companies like Advocate, Drontal, Milbemax, and NexGard Spectra, which all have tablets, chews, pastes or drops that will kill off intestinal worms and bring your furry family members back to full health.
These deworming treatments can be given to your adult pet every 3-6 months. Puppies and kittens require deworming every 2 weeks until they are 3 months old and then monthly until they reach 6 months. Pregnant cats or dogs require a special deworming treatment plan.
Most deworming treatments involve the use of anthelmintics, pyrantel, pamoate, or praziquantel, which will kill off the intestinal parasites. The type of treatment your pet gets depends on the type of parasite they have, their age and overall health, and the severity of the infection.
Once the parasites have been killed, your pet may require further care and treatment for side effects like dehydration or anaemia, which may involve using blood infusions and intravenous fluids.
Intestinal worms are a common threat to cats and dogs, so taking the appropriate prevention methods and staying on top of your pet’s health is vital. Fortunately, there are many prevention methods out there that can stop these parasites in their tracks. If you notice your furry family member not acting quite right and suspect a worm infestation, take them to the vet. If left untreated for too long, intestinal worms can cause serious illness or even death.
At Potiki, we understand how precious your pets are. We also know that the unexpected can happen at any time, resulting in extremely high vet fees. These unforeseen circumstances are why it is best to be prepared with pet insurance. Potiki and petinsurance.com.au offer our customers flexible covers with excess and extras to give you and your family peace of mind. Visit our website to get a quick quote and see our different cover options.
FAQs
Can Humans Catch Worms from Their Pets?
Unfortunately, yes. It is possible to catch some intestinal worms from your pet, so it is important to practice good hygiene habits like washing your hands and cleaning up after your pets. Also, ensure your cats and dogs are dewormed every few months.
How Do Fleas Aid in Intestinal Worm Infestation?
Some intestinal parasites, especially tapeworms, use fleas as their host to complete their life cycle. If a cat or dog ingests an infected flea, the tapeworm larvae inside the flea can develop into fully grown worms inside the digestive tract.
This is why treating your pets for both fleas and worms is important.
How Do I Deworm My Pet?
Getting medical advice from your pet’s vet before beginning any treatment is always important.
Many worming treatments are available in different forms, so your vet will recommend the best treatment option for your cat or dog, depending on their age, overall health, the worm type and the infection’s severity.
Remember always to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and closely monitor your pet for any signs of an adverse reaction.
Does Pet Insurance cover Intestinal Worms?
Comprehensive accidental injury and illness pet insurance policies usually cover intestinal worm infections.
However, routine worming and prevention treatments are not covered by insurance.