Deworming

Deworming is a simple method of treating any intestinal parasites that your cat may have. The routine deworming treatment that our hospital prescribes doesn’t even require you to administer any oral medication. The deworming used is a topical product that you apply onto the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades.

What are some internal cat parasites?

Some internal parasites that cats can get include roundworm, tapeworm, and hookworm. Another commonly seen parasite is coccidia. The topical treatment mentioned above does not work to treat coccidia and oral medication must be administered to treat this parasite.

What are worm infestation symptoms in cats?

Tapeworm segments (which are pieces of the actual tapeworm) look like grains of rice and can be seen around the cat’s rectum. Other parasites can cause gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Internal parasites can also cause the cat to just look generally unwell with poor fur quality and thin body condition. However, frequently there are no external signs of parasitic infestation in cats.

Can worms affect humans?

Yes, some worms can be transmitted to humans. That’s why it is so important to have your cat’s stool analyzed for the presence of parasites.

What is the deworming schedule?

Typically, kittens are dewormed a couple of times when they are first brought into the house. We recommend keeping your cat strictly indoors to help prevent worm infestation (not to mention prevention of disease transmission from other cats and to decrease the risk of serious traumatic injury). If your cat goes outside, then it is recommended to deworm your cat every 3 months to treat any internal parasites.

Any deworming medication side effects?

Generally, there aren’t any deworming medication side effects. Sometimes the cat can develop diarrhea if there is a high worm count in their intestines.