What are tapeworms actually?
Ticks, →mites or →fleas are known by almost everyone. These are called ecto parasites. Ecto, because they live on the outside of an animal's skin. Tapeworms are *endo* parasites. Endo, because they live inside an animal. They get their name from their ribbon-like appearance and can grow about 60 cm long. Most worms attach themselves in the small intestine using hook-shaped organs and extract nutrients from the food mass of the cat.
How does my cat get a tapeworm?
Tapeworms are usually transmitted by ectoparasites, such as the most common tapeworm in cats, the so-called cucumber seed tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum), which is transmitted by fleas. The also very common cat tapeworm (Taenia taeniaeformis) is transmitted by birds or mice.
How do I recognize a tapeworm in my cat?
Since a tapeworm lives well hidden inside your cat, it is usually discovered late. Early signs include a bloated, round "worm belly" (especially in young cats), rough fur and increased defecation accompanied by diarrhea or blood.
Watch for the following symptoms to recognize a tapeworm in your cat early:
- dull fur
- →loss of appetite and weight
- →digestive problems
- lethargy and fatigue
- →diarrhea and vomiting
- deficiencies due to →insufficient nutrient supply
- itching in the anal region
- bloated belly
It is also worth taking a closer look at your cat's stool, even if it is a bit unappetizing. A sign of tapeworms is small, white crumbs in the stool. These are segments of the tapeworm through which the parasite spreads. Dispose of your cat's infested stool thoroughly and hygienically in a well-sealed bag in the household waste to prevent further spread.
Bei Verdacht auch Bandwürmer muss deine Katze von Tierärzt*innen untersucht und eine Wurmkur eingeleitet werden.
Treating tapeworms properly
If you suspect that your cat may have a tapeworm, you should immediately see a veterinarian. It is best to bring some stool with you to the practice, as a worm infestation is usually diagnosed through a stool examination. If your suspicion is confirmed, a worm treatment can be started.
Through a worm treatment, the already existing (tapeworm) worms die off and can be excreted through the stool. Your cat will receive special medications against the tapeworm. These are often tablets that you can give to your cat with some food or a tasty snack.
Befördere Tabletten & Medikamente auf schmackhafte Weise in deine Katze - dank unserer Snacks!
If you have a young kitten, you should not lose any time and go to a practice. The young immunocompromised kittens suffer more from the consequences of a tapeworm infestation. If left untreated for a longer time, it can even become life-threatening for them.
Preventing and avoiding tapeworms in your cat
The bad news: You cannot completely avoid that your cat contracts worms during its life. Just contact with rodents, birds, or other conspecifics is usually enough for them to catch a tapeworm.
The good news, however, is that you have various options to prevent an infestation of tapeworms and →other parasites. This primarily includes regular deworming and consistent flea control. Additionally, food bowls, sleeping areas, and litter boxes should always be kept hygienically clean, and other animals living in the household should also be treated for parasites or examined.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Regelmäßige Wurmkuren können deine Katze vor Bandwürmern und anderen Würmern schützen. Sprich die Behandlung am besten mit Tierärzt*innen ab!
How often should I deworm my cat?
In general, the risk of a tapeworm infection in cats varies depending on living conditions. Thus, feeding and keeping of the furry friends significantly influence the health of the animals.
If there is no higher infection risk, such as with house cats, you can preventively deworm every 3 months. For outdoor cats, which roam a lot, have contact with conspecifics, and often bring home a mouse, the risk of a tapeworm infection increases. Here, a monthly tapeworm stool examination and possibly deworming may be advisable.
