Internal Deworming for Cats – What You Need to Know About Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites are a common problem in cats, with a high incidence that varies depending on the cat's living environment. Parasites can be protozoan, single-celled organisms or multicellular organisms. They usually cause various symptoms, with a significant secondary effect being a decrease in immunity, making the feline more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections and other diseases. It is important to note that some feline intestinal parasites are capable of infecting humans. Preventive and periodic deworming of cats is the best and simplest measure for both the cat's health and that of its owners.

• Types of intestinal parasites in cats
• How can a cat get infected?
• When is internal deworming necessary for cats?
• How often should internal deworming be done for cats?
• Symptoms
• Antiparasitic treatment
• Types of internal deworming available for cats
• What risks do I expose my cat to if I don't deworm it internally?
• Internal deworming of cats and the risk of zoonoses
• Prevention

Types of intestinal parasites in cats

There are many families of intestinal parasites that can infect cats. Depending on the category, these are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, or whipworms, and protozoa.

Roundworms (Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati) are the most common intestinal parasite in cats, affecting 25% to 75% of cats. When an owner says their cat has worms, they most likely observed them in the feces and want a treatment for cat roundworms. Adult roundworms are 7-12 centimeters long and live in the cat's intestine, where they attach to the intestinal walls and consume food ingested by the host. Eggs are eliminated through feces. Infection occurs by ingesting eggs or rodents, which are transport hosts. The infection is usually benign, but affected kittens may experience vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or loss of appetite. If left untreated, infections cause anemia or severe digestive problems. Toxocara can infect humans.

Ancylostoma and Uncinaria, or hookworms, are thin worms, about one centimeter long, that live attached to the intestinal mucosa, where they feed on the host's blood. Due to their small size, they are not visible in the feces of infected cats. The infection is long-lasting but rarer than roundworm infection. Adult cats become infected with worm larvae that penetrate their skin or are ingested. The larvae migrate to the lungs and then to the intestines, where they develop into adult worms. Infection causes diarrhea and weight loss, and severe parasitism can lead to severe anemia. In these cases, the cat's feces may be black and dark due to the presence of digested blood. The infection is easy to diagnose and treat. Larvae can contaminate humans.

Tapeworms (cestodes) have a long, flat body that resembles a ribbon. Adult tapeworms (or flatworms in cats) live in the small intestine, with their head firmly embedded in the intestinal lining, absorbing nutrients consumed by the host. Infection with flatworms in cats occurs by ingesting infected fleas or by consuming rodents. Some species of tapeworms that infect cats can also cause illness in humans.

Stomach worms (Ollanulus tricuspis and Physaloptera) live in the cat's stomach and are most common in spayed cats or those living in large, crowded communities. Worms can be contracted by ingesting crickets or cockroaches or from rodents. Infection causes chronic vomiting and lack of appetite, along with weight loss and malnutrition, although there are also cats that show no signs of illness.

Isospora are microscopic single-celled organisms that cause coccidiosis. The infection is very common and, most often, does not cause problems in adult cats, but it can cause significant illness in kittens. Feline Isospora does not affect humans.

The parasite Giardia (Lamblia) belongs to the protozoan family, being a single-celled organism that moves with the help of whip-like tails and parasitizes the small intestine. Giardia infection, called giardiasis, is quite rare in cats, but is more common in households with multiple cats. Giardia cysts are very resistant to freezing and municipal water chlorination. Symptoms of infection can include acute or chronic diarrhea, although most Giardia-infected cats show no signs. It is not certain whether the Giardia species that infect cats are contagious to humans or vice versa, although recent studies suggest the possibility of transmission from cat to human and vice versa. Treatment for Giardia in cats is rarely necessary. Cats are the definitive host for the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Infection with this single-celled parasite is quite common but rarely causes illness in cats. Cats can become infected by eating raw meat. Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted to humans, but most healthy people infected with this organism show no signs of illness; exceptions are those with compromised immunity and pregnant women, both categories being very vulnerable to this infection.

How can a cat get infected?

The way cats get contaminated with worms varies from one type of intestinal parasite to another. It is certain that cats that stay indoors are less exposed, but even for them, the risk of contracting feline parasites exists. The most exposed are cats that regularly go outside and wander in areas frequented by other cats or animals.

Raw meat, flies, and cockroaches are other ways that can lead to infection with cat worms, including those that stay only indoors. Their predatory skills will lead them to catch insects, some of which are carriers of parasites. In this context, antiparasitic treatment for cats becomes necessary for all felines, regardless of their living environment.

Felines that hunt mice are very prone to infections with feline intestinal worms. Another source of infection is shared litter boxes used by multiple cats. Fleas can transmit intestinal parasite infections, as they are hosts for eggs and larvae. In this context, internal and external deworming in cats should be performed simultaneously to prevent and limit reinfestation.

Even cats that stay indoors can become contaminated with parasites brought from outside on shoe soles. One of a cat's habits is to roll around, and eggs or larvae can cling to the cat's fur, which it will then ingest when grooming itself. The presence of a dog that regularly goes outside, in a house where there is a cat, will increase the risk of the cat becoming infected. In this situation, it is important that the cat's internal deworming schedule is harmonized with that of the dog.

When is internal deworming necessary for cats?

Administering deworming pills for cats (or other medications for cat worms) is necessary in a multitude of situations, including:

• The cat shows signs of internal parasite infection (diarrhea, vomiting, slow growth, bloating, etc.); deworming will be done after identifying the types of worms in cats, for maximum efficacy of the curative treatment;
• The cat has been exposed to contact with other parasitic cats or animals;
• The cat is pregnant or lactating. In this case, cat worm treatment is administered only on the recommendation of the veterinarian and only with the products indicated by them.

How often should internal deworming be done for cats?

The interval for internal deworming in cats varies depending on several factors. The general recommendation for owners is to consider administering worm pills for cats as follows:

• Every 3 months, for cats that have outdoor access, where they can come into contact with parasites through the environment. This frequency is also suitable for indoor cats living with a dog or for cats in households where there is a pregnant woman, a baby, or an immunosuppressed person;
• Every 6 months, for cats that live exclusively indoors.

Any pet implies a higher level of responsibility, from providing the necessary food to regular veterinary assistance. Find out what cat care involves, so that they can have a long and happy life!

Symptoms

Low-intensity intestinal parasite infections (worms or protozoa) may not produce clinical signs in adult cats. However, feline intestinal parasites do not disappear on their own, and in most cases, the infection intensifies over time. A certain degree of infestation will lead to the appearance of symptoms. Regardless of the type of intestinal parasite, common signs of infection include:

• Weight loss – is one of the common signs of illness. Although the cat's appetite is normal, it visibly loses weight. This is accompanied by a swollen, soft, full-looking stomach;
• Repeated vomiting is another symptom. Cats vomit relatively frequently, but when these vomits occur often and contain partially digested food, it can be a symptom of intestinal parasite infection;
• Coat condition changes – if, normally, the cat's coat is soft and shiny, in the case of parasite infection, it becomes rough and dull. In some cases, the cat may experience abundant hair loss, as well as some skin irritations;
• Diarrhea – soft stools, with a semi-liquid or fragmented consistency, and the presence of mucus or traces of blood are signs of parasites. Protozoan infection produces bloody or hard stools, very dark in color, due to intestinal bleeding;
• Parasites are visible in the cat's stool and also around the anus or, possibly, in the litter box. Given that intestinal worms vary in size, some of them being very small, it is possible that they may not be noticeable, but a laboratory test will detect them. Some worms are long and can reach up to 10 centimeters in length, are always white, and sometimes are visible in the cat's feces. It is unlikely that whole worms can be identified, but sections of them, in the form of white threads or small, white grains, may appear;
• Unusual behavior is an accumulation. The cat is lethargic, does not play, lacks energy and is indifferent to things that usually caught its attention. Another unusual behavior is that it drags its bottom, because intestinal worms almost always cause irritation in the anal area;
• Anemia is another symptom that can be confirmed by laboratory tests, but can also be indicated by the pale color of the cat's gums. Anemia occurs especially in cases of protozoan infection;
• Given that parasites, regardless of their type, migrate from the stomach and intestine to other organs, the cat may also have a persistent cough, especially in cases of severe, chronic infestations.

In all these cases, the little feline must be taken to the veterinarian, because otherwise, the general condition will worsen. The doctor can accurately determine the type or types of intestinal parasites. Concomitant infections with multiple types of worms are possible.

Parasitic infections are just one of the problems that can affect a cat's general health. Discuss cat supplements with your veterinarian; depending on their ingredients, these can provide an important intake of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and probiotics that support the feline's health and immunity.

Antiparasitic treatment

Intestinal worms and protozoa are treatable. However, it is important that the type of parasites and the degree of infection are correctly identified before advanced stages of infestation appear. The veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate deworming medication (anthelmintic), along with a suitable administration protocol for antiparasitics. How much deworming costs for cats depends on several factors, including the product used, its efficacy, the need for repeated administration, the cat's age and weight, etc.

Medications have different effects depending on the type of parasite. In the case of tapeworms, they are killed in the intestine and eliminated in fragments. Other medications cause the worms to detach from the intestinal wall and be eliminated in the feces. In some cases, the therapy kills adult parasites but does not affect their eggs or larvae, so treatment must be repeated at intervals of 3-4 weeks and then every 3-4 months to prevent re-infestation.

In some cases, worms migrate to the lungs and/or heart, and therapy is complex and combined: oral and injectable medications, antibiotics, special diets, and diuretics.

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Pills for intestinal parasites in cats should only be administered with a veterinarian's recommendation, given that the therapy is complex and often needs to be repeated to cure the cat. Moreover, deworming of young cats and internal deworming of kittens should only be done under veterinary guidance. Internal deworming of cats can also be done preventatively. For kittens, the initial treatment is given at three weeks of age, then repeated at intervals indicated by the veterinarian. Generally, an annual deworming protocol is applied, as well as a preventative one. If you have multiple pets, it is recommended that they all be dewormed during the same period.

Types of internal deworming available for cats

Internal deworming of cats can be done with a variety of products containing either a single active substance or a combination of active substances. Normally, the choice of deworming product is made after fecal examinations identify the species of parasites present. However, if the cat has outdoor access or is infested with fleas, the veterinarian may prescribe a product with broad coverage against multiple parasite species.

The form of administration also differs. There are internal deworming pills, but there are also effective pills for both internal and external deworming simultaneously. Some of these tablets are chewable, which means they taste good, so there is a higher probability that the cat will take them on its own. For very fussy cats, there is also the option of pipettes for internal and external deworming. It should be noted that most of these are not effective against all common feline parasite species; therefore, their use should be alternated with the administration of other products.

Deworming kittens

Deworming kittens is necessary but must take into account a series of precautions related to their low weight and age. If you're wondering at what age kittens should be dewormed, there are specially designed products that can be administered starting from 3 months of age. Subsequently, the veterinarian will recommend a treatment plan, depending on the living environment of the mother cat and kittens, the age of vaccine administration, the mother's status, etc.

What risks do I expose my cat to if I don't deworm it internally?

Some owners are concerned about potential adverse reactions to cat deworming and ask the veterinarian about internal deworming in cats and its side effects. This treatment is considered safe as long as it is performed correctly and customized for each case. Adverse reactions are rare, minor, and resolve on their own, the most frequent being diarrhea in cats after deworming, due to the elimination of dead worms.

Internal deworming of cats and the risk of zoonoses

Internal deworming of cats is necessary not only for the feline's health but also for the health of the family it lives with.

Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Many feline internal parasites can cause zoonoses with serious implications. Toxoplasmosis, giardiasis, coccidiosis, ascariasis, and taeniasis are among the most common zoonoses transmissible from an undewormed cat to humans.

The prevention of zoonoses is achieved in two ways: the first is the regular deworming of cats, every 3-6 months or according to the schedule recommended by the veterinarian. Maintaining strict hygiene is equally important, but it is good to be aware that, when living with a cat in an apartment, it is impossible to prevent the transmission of parasitic elements exclusively by observing hygiene measures.

Prevention

There are various preventive measures for intestinal parasite infection in cats. Prevention begins with initial treatment, which should be given to all kittens at three weeks of age, for preventive or therapeutic purposes, in case the kittens have contracted parasites from their mother. The larvae of these worms are very easily transmitted from the mother, transplacentally or through breastfeeding.

Another preventive measure is the treatment of lactating cats, for preventive or therapeutic purposes.

Monthly preventive medications are administered year-round to cats whose behavior predisposes them to a high risk of infestation (cats that constantly roam or hunt rodents). In addition, feline fecal examinations can be performed 2-3 times a year if their lifestyle involves high vulnerability. Indoor cats are less exposed to the risk of parasite infection, but even for them, periodic deworming is beneficial.

Daily collection of feces from the litter box and outdoors, maintaining sanitary and hygienic conditions in the house, and avoiding exposing the cat to potentially contaminated places are necessary. The litter sand should be completely changed at least every three weeks, regardless of the type of litter used, and the litter box should be cleaned and disinfected before putting in new sand. An effective measure is to prevent flea infestation, as fleas are vectors of intestinal parasites.

The cat is a beloved, easy-to-care-for companion that brings much joy to people. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the small feline from diseases and parasites to ensure a long and happy life.

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