Cats / Getting Started
Roundworms are one of the more unpleasant realities of cat ownership, but a genuinely common one, affecting an estimated 25 to 75 percent of cats at some point, with kittens especially likely to be af
Rewritten from source material originally published at: rover.com/blog/roundworms-in-cats/
Roundworms are one of the more unpleasant realities of cat ownership, but a genuinely common one, affecting an estimated 25 to 75 percent of cats at some point, with kittens especially likely to be affected. Known scientifically as Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati, these parasites can grow three to five inches long and live in a cat's intestine, feeding off whatever the cat itself has eaten.
The bigger concern is not usually the worms themselves but the disease they can cause, known as ascariasis, which can lead to a range of health problems, particularly in kittens and cats with weakened immune systems.
There are three main routes of infection. Kittens can be born with roundworms already present, either passed on in the womb or picked up shortly after birth through nursing, and if one kitten in a litter is infected, the rest are likely to be as well. Cats can also become infected simply by ingesting roundworm eggs present in soil, grass, or other material in their environment, or by eating infected prey such as rodents.
Watch for the following:
Left untreated, a roundworm infection can progress to something genuinely dangerous, including life-threatening anaemia or, in extreme cases, a ruptured stomach.
Vets often suspect roundworms based on a swollen abdomen or other visible symptoms, but confirmation usually comes from a faecal test checking for eggs. Treatment typically involves deworming medication to kill both the adult worms and their larvae, which also helps prevent the parasite spreading further through the household. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to fully clear the infection.
Generally quite well, though follow-up faecal tests are usually recommended to confirm the infection has fully cleared, since reinfection is common in cats and ongoing vigilance matters.
Yes, though not in the same way they affect cats. People can host migrating larvae, but are not a suitable host for the worms to mature in fully. That is little comfort in practice, since it is the migrating larvae that cause illness, potentially leading to fever, abdominal pain, and breathing difficulty, and in rare cases, if larvae migrate to the eyes, even vision loss. Reducing the risk comes down to a few sensible habits: treat any infected pet promptly, dispose of pet waste quickly and thoroughly, and make sure children wash their hands regularly, particularly after time spent in areas where cats or dogs have been.
Roundworms are common enough that eliminating the risk entirely is unrealistic, but a few habits help considerably: use a quality dewormer recommended by your vet, discuss any concerns about your cat's health with them directly, try to limit hunting and eating of rodents and other small prey, and dispose of litter box waste promptly.
Article content © Ravi Teja. All rights reserved.
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