Tapeworms
in Cats Symptoms and Treatment
Tapeworm in Cats: What are
Tapeworms?
Tapeworms are a parasite that are found
in the small intestine of cats. The most common tapeworm
found in cats is the Dipylidium Caninum. They are
flat and segmented, white in colour and can grow up to
20cm long. How does a
cat or kitten get tapeworms?
-
The tapeworm
cycle begins with the flea larvae eating fecal matter that
contains tapeworm eggs.
-
The eggs
hatch inside the flea and become cysticercoids.
-
A cat may
then swallow or eat a flea that contains these cysticercoids
while chewing or biting at a flea during grooming.
-
Once the flea
passes into the cat's intestine the flea is broken down and
the cysticercoids develop into an adult tapeworm.
-
The tapeworm
attaches itself to the lining of the intestine and feeds off
the nutrients.
-
As the tapeworm matures the
tail segments drops off. These segments are mobile. Each
segment contains the eggs of the tapeworm. The egg packets
are passed in the faeces of the cat into the environment.
-
The eggs are
then ingested by the flea larvae
The most common
areas that tapeworm eggs are found are in the cat's bedding
and in your carpet.
Cats can also
acquire tapeworms by eating infected rodents or lizards.
How do I
know my cat or kitten has tapeworms?
You can often see
the dried sections of tapeworm around the cats anus. They
resemble rice grains.
You may see the moving segments
of tapeworm in the cat's faeces.
Your vet may examine a smear
from your cats anus under a microscope.
How to treat
tapeworms in my cat or kitten?
 |
Drontal kills
mature and immature development stages of
tapeworms in the intestine after a single
treatment. A single tablet can usually be
purchased over the counter from your vet without
paying for a consultation. It can also be bought
from online pet supply stores with a
prescription.
Drontal is a broad-spectrum
de-wormer used in cats and kittens to treat
tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms. |
How can I prevent
tapeworms in my cat You should
regularly de-worm your cat or kitten with a product such as
Dronta.l Flea control is also
important. Read our
How
to get rid of Fleas
article.
Can Humans Catch Tapeworms from Cats or Kittens?
Humans can become
infected with the tapeworm Dipylidium Caninum but it is quite
rare.
Read this article for more information
Can humans catch worms & other diseases from
cats?
This article is
for information purposes only and is in no way
intended to replace veterinary advice.
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