Roundworms in cats: infection, symptoms and treatment
Worms, alongside →fleas, →ticks and →mites are among the most common parasites. Especially kittens and young cats often carry roundworms, which make up the largest share in the worm category. If your four-legged friend has a rumbling belly, keeps experiencing digestive issues and especially if your kitten seems unwell, it could possibly be a roundworm causing trouble. In young cats in particular, these pesky parasites can have life-threatening effects, so timely action is needed here.
What are roundworms in cats?
The roundworm in cats (Toxocara mystax or Toxocara cati) is a nematode (Nematoda) and part of the endothermic parasites. Unlike ectothermic parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites, it infects internal areas of the body — mainly the intestines. In this behavior, it is similar to the →tapeworm in cats. With a length of up to 18 cm, they spread via their extremely resilient eggs, which can be found wherever outdoor cats roam. Every day, female worms lay about 200,000 eggs, from which the larvae later hatch.
How can my cat get infected with roundworms?
Any cat that has outdoor access is at risk of becoming infected with roundworms. Infection occurs through your cat's mouth, when it sniffs, licks, or eats something that is contaminated. Risk sources include feces, animal carcasses, carrion, and also soil. For cats, the main source of roundworms is caught mice. But even indoor cats are not necessarily safe from roundworms: →raw meat such as ground beef poses a risk, as does bringing in eggs on shoes.
If your cat has ingested the eggs, the larvae begin to develop in the intestines. What’s special here is that the parasite doesn’t necessarily stay in the gut, because by migrating through your cat’s blood vessels they can reach other body parts like the lungs and muscles. Sounds gross? It is — especially for your feline friend. Often, some of the larvae encyst in organs and can be activated even years later. This is often the case especially in →pregnant cats because their kittens usually get infected directly, which is why young cats often suffer from worm infestations.
Sniffing, licking, eating: During walks, roundworms can be transmitted when the eggs enter the intestine through the mouth.
Symptoms: How to recognize roundworms
Adult cats usually show no symptoms when they are infected with roundworms. Here, roundworm is more of a chance finding than an infection that is specifically sought out. In →kittens however, a massive infestation with severe symptoms can sometimes occur, such as:
vomiting
abdominal pain
bloated belly
weight loss
worms in the stool or vomit
→dull coat and hair loss
delayed growth
lethargy
fatigue
Especially if your young cat is frequently vomiting or coughing, you may notice white threads that look like spaghetti in the expelled material. This is a clear sign of a roundworm infestation and means: Get to the vet — and fast!
In particular, young cats and kittens often show severe symptoms when infested with roundworms. In addition to diarrhea, vomiting, and coughing, fatigue is among the most common symptoms.
Diagnosis and treatment of roundworms in cats
In addition to troublesome digestive issues, roundworms can also lead to increased susceptibility to infections and even reduce the effectiveness of a vaccination. This is especially dangerous if →your young cat is being given its primary vaccinations and there is not enough protection against diseases. Here, the entire immune system is compromised, so a quick diagnosis and treatment is important if your cat has become infected with the parasites.
To do this, the →veterinarian collects your cat’s stool. For this, samples from three days are necessary, to reliably determine if worms are present. If your cat is coughing or vomiting, a sample is also helpful here, which is examined under the microscope in more detail.
When diagnosing roundworms in cats, in addition to an examination, the analysis of stool or vomit is also performed. This allows you to reliably determine whether your cat has been infected.
What does roundworm therapy for cats look like?
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a dewormer is sufficient to give to your cat. Most often these are (chewable) tablets, rarely creams or pastes, which are given orally. Usually, this therapy works well, but in severe cases, additional medications or infusions as well as injections may be needed. As you can see: As scary as the “spaghetti worm” may be in your cat, vets can quickly rid your pet of the parasite for good.
Most cats are not fans of swallowing the little pills just like that. But how can you get your cat to eat the tablet? For that, you’ll need a bit of persuasion — how convenient that our Pets Deli Cream Snack is a very helpful assistant when it comes to getting your cat to take medication willingly.
Creamy, tasty, and the perfect snack for in between, for administering medication, or during training.
How to prevent roundworms in cats
The be-all and end-all of preventing roundworms in cats is regular deworming — especially if your cat goes outdoors. It’s impossible to completely avoid these parasites for sure, but deworming ensures early elimination of any worms in your cat. These products are generally free of side effects and very well tolerated by pets.
Many owners skip regular administration of “worm treatments” and instead have the stool of their beloved pets regularly checked for worms by a vet. This way, you can react quickly to an infestation and only give medication when an infestation is present.
Can roundworms be transmitted to humans?
Yes — that’s why it’s important, if your cat is infected, to maintain impeccable hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly and clean the litter box frequently. For children, public sandboxes are also a source of danger. An infection rarely shows symptoms, but immunocompromised people can develop symptoms ranging from headaches and allergies to eye and liver damage. Regular deworming is also recommended for indoor cats if people with relevant pre-existing conditions live in the household.
