Worms

Yuk ! horrible horrible things.  The two most common types of worm are, Round worm and Tape Worm, both are equally as horrible.  And if your cat has them you must get it treated.

Which worm is which ? Round worms look like spaghetti and tape worms look like grains of rice.

Tapeworm

How did my cat get tape worm ? Fleas are the main culprit here.  First off tape worm eggs must be eaten by flea larvae to begin the cycle, the flea grows into an adult, it jumps onto the cat and bites it which makes the cat lick itself and the cat swallows the flea.  Once the flea is inside the cat the tapeworm hatches and hooks itself inside the cats intestinal lining.

How will I know if my cat has tapeworm ? If your cat has tapeworm you will probably notice them in your cats feces, segments of the worm break off, and resemble grains of moving rice.  You may also notice them near your cats bottom.  Occasionally your cat may drag its bottom across the floor, to relive the irritation.

How do I cure tapeworm ? Not only will you need to cure your cat of tapeworm but also of fleas, even if you haven't seen any fleas.  We use Drontal cat worming tablets we which get from the vets, they can be safely used with Stronghold or Frontline.  We have tried cheaper worming tablets from pet shops, but they don't seem to really last that long.

Can I catch Tapeworm from an infected cat ? Yes, you can catch tapeworm from an infected cat, but this involves ingesting an infected flea, this tends to be more common with children then it is in adults.

Roundworm

What do roundworms look like ?  Roundworms look like spaghetti and grow as long as 8 - 10 cm

How did my cat get roundworm ?   Roundworm is more common in cats that hunt and kittens.  Roundworm can be picked up through the environment , by eating infected small animals like rodents and birds.  Kittens can also get roundworm, by suckling from an infected queen.

What are the symptoms of Roundworm ? Symptoms can include Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, pot belly, weight loss and increased appetite

How do I cure Roundworm ? You can buy a product called Stronghold from your vets, this not only cures roundworm but also fleas, ticks and ear mites.

Is Roundworm dangerous to my cat ?  Roundworm can cause your cat to become quite poorly, and in severe cases can cause death in untreated kittens.

Can I catch roundworms from an infected cat ? You can catch roundworm from an infected cat, but this would involve ingesting the eggs from the cats feces.  This tends to be more common in children then it is in adults.