Worms in cats: Causes, symptoms, treatment at home and in the clinic

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It’s all very simple - we bring pathogens of various helminthiases into the apartment without knowing it (on clothes, on shoes). In addition, if your pet likes to eat raw pieces of meat or fish, infection is almost guaranteed.

There are different types of worms. And all of them, without medical intervention, can cause serious harm to a cat’s health. Even more, basically all their types are dangerous for humans.

We will discuss in detail below how to recognize helminth infections in cats, how to cure a cat for worms at home, and how to prevent re-infection.

Watch the video: How to tell if a dog or cat has worms?

Types of worms in dogs and cats

In dogs, as in cats, there are three groups of worms:

1. Nematodes (roundworms).
2. Trematodes (flukes).
3. Cestodes (tapeworms).

Nematodes are invasive diseases of dogs and cats, the causative agents of which are representatives of the class of roundworms (Nematoda), and are collectively called nematodes. This type of worm parasitizes not only the intestines, but also affects the heart, aorta, eyes, kidneys, bladder and subcutaneous tissue. The most common representatives of this group are roundworms, pinworms, whipworms, toxocaras, hookworms, trichinella, strongoloidiasis, heartworms.

Trematodes are helminth infections caused by representatives of the class of flukes or trematodes (Trematoda). A large number of trematode species are known in animals, each of which is characterized by structural features, life cycle, localization (habitat) and pathogenic effects on the host organism. Trematodes in dogs and cats most often parasitize the liver and intestines. The most common representatives of this group are fascioliasis and opisthorchiasis.

Cestodoses are diseases in dogs that are caused by representatives of the class of tapeworms or cestodes (Cestoidea). They are collectively called cestodiases. Sexually mature cestodes parasitize animals only in the intestines. The larval stages of causative agents of cestodiasis can parasitize a variety of organs and tissues in both animals and humans. The most common representatives of this group are dipylidia, diphyllobothriasis, alveococcosis, taeniasis, and echinococcosis.

Parasitic diseases. How to suspect and diagnose?

Parasitic diseases are a widespread, diverse group of diseases caused by helminths and protozoa, which undergo a life cycle in the human body, feeding and reproducing at the expense of the “host” and causing damage to various organs and systems. Considering the effect on the entire body as a whole, it is quite difficult to suspect and recognize them.

How does infection occur?

Before entering the human body, helminths and protozoa undergo a development cycle in other environments or living organisms.

• In the soil under certain conditions of temperature and humidity, eggs and larvae of roundworms, strongyloides, hookworms are preserved. A person becomes infected when contaminated soil comes into contact with dirty hands, water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, directly with the soil.
• The following helminths undergo development cycles in living organisms: opisthorchid (cat fluke), clonorchid, trichinella, toxocara, echinococcus, pork and bovine tapeworm. Before reaching maturity to parasitize humans, a change of one or two intermediate hosts is possible. These are mollusks, crustaceans, fish, insects. Consumption of thermally insufficiently processed fish and meat, or raw water leads to infection.

Another route of infection is through direct contact between people through handshakes, shared hygiene and household items, or through self-infection. We are talking about contagious helminths: enterobiasis, strongyloidiasis, cysticercosis, giardiasis.

How can you suspect a parasitic disease?

Manifestations can be varied, ranging from mild to severe. Rarely do typical signs that indicate a specific pathogen occur. Often there are no signs, or they are disguised as other diseases, or disappear as one development cycle of the parasite ends and another begins. For example, roundworm larvae first enter the human lungs, where they mature and migrate to the intestines. The child may be bothered by a short cough (similar to a cold), which does not alert the parent.

However, acute and chronic phases of the course of a parasitic disease are usually distinguished.

Acute manifestations arise due to the general effect on the body:

• The effects of toxins are an increase in temperature to 37 - 37.5 degrees, weakness, headaches, decreased mood and performance, sleep disturbances;
• Allergic reactions - skin itching, urticaria, bronchospasm, shortness of breath, less often Quincke's edema;
• Activation of the immune system – pain in muscles and joints; enlarged lymph nodes, liver and spleen
• Mechanical impact - if you look under a microscope, each helminth can see devices for securing itself in the body, injuring the mucous membrane: teeth, hooks, suction cups. As a result, abdominal pain, frequent bowel movements, and dyspepsia occur.

The chronic phase is characterized by damage to certain organs and systems. Most often, the intestines suffer; prolonged mechanical impact leads to inflammation, disturbances in absorption and digestion of food. Anemia, a lack of vitamins and microelements develops, and young children experience delayed growth and weight gain. The gallbladder and bile ducts may be affected (giardiasis); cardiovascular system, lungs, nervous system (usually trichinosis); lungs and liver (echinococcosis) and so on. Over a long period of time, the immune system is suppressed and secondary infections occur.

So, we have many routes of infection, mechanisms of development and manifestations of parasitic diseases. It turns out that every second person has a risk of getting sick, right? But sometimes helminths may not stay in the body: they die and leave, or pass by without starting to parasitize (which is why the discovery of a “worm” in the feces does not prove the presence of the disease). Much depends on the stage of the helminth, its invasive properties and the human immune system. Children under 5 years of age who actively learn the world “by language” and people with chronic diseases and weakened immune systems are more susceptible to the development of helminthiasis.

If you find any of the listed signs, take a clinical blood test with a leukocyte formula. An increase in eosinophils to 7-10% or more will be another suspicious criterion.

How to identify a parasitic disease?

1. Examination of stool for protozoa and helminth eggs, preferably the enrichment method - PARASEP Determines eggs of all types of helminths and protozoa living in the intestines

The criterion for disease activity is the detection of eggs! This means going through the cycle of helminth development in the body, its parasitism and reproduction. These are mainly intestinal helminthiases, when a person is the final host, the “permanent place of residence” of the parasite, and eggs are necessary for further spread and the beginning of the next cycle.

Please pay attention to the following points:

• Each helminth has its own development cycle, so a one-time study is not enough. If the result is negative, a three-time study is recommended with an interval of 3-7 days.
• There are forms of helminthiasis when a person is an intermediate host (a carrier of helminth larvae) or a “biological dead end”, when the larvae have confused the host and cannot develop further at all. In such cases, eggs will never appear in the stool; the disease can only be detected by detecting antibodies (see below)

1. Examination of scrapings for enterobiasis reveals only pinworm eggs in the perianal folds. Female pinworms lay eggs, leaving the intestines exclusively at night, when a person is relaxed. Therefore, the study is carried out strictly after sleep BEFORE washing up!
2. Testing the Giardia antigen in feces is a highly accurate method for identifying Giardia. For better detection, it is recommended to adhere to a choleretic diet before the study.
3. The study of antibodies to helminths (immunoglobulins) is aimed at assessing the immune system to pathogens. Basically, the most persistent immunoglobulins are determined - class G (IgG), which reflect the fact of infection, but do not allow us to understand whether there is a helminth in the body now or not, since IgG remains in the body for a long time in the “memory archive”.

What should you pay attention to?

• The presence of manifestations and the simultaneous detection of IgG may indicate the chronic phase of helminthiasis
• In doubtful cases, a repeat IgG test is recommended after 2 weeks. An increase in antibody levels by 2 times or more indicates helminth activity
• For trichinosis, echinococcosis, and cysticercosis, antibody determination is the only possible method of laboratory diagnosis, since humans are the intermediate host for these helminths.

For your convenience, a complex “Diagnostics of parasitic diseases” has been created, including a clinical blood test, general IgE (allergic component) and determination of antibodies to the most common helminths and protozoa.

Worms in cats: symptoms and treatment

Symptoms of helminthiases can include: indigestion, apathy, fever, deterioration of coat condition, allergies. As a rule, an adult organism tolerates helminthiasis more easily and without obvious manifestations, but for young kittens (and puppies) they can be deadly. Roundworms and tapeworms pose a great danger to domestic animals and humans. The main habitat of adults is the intestines of animals, but worm larvae can also parasitize the lungs, kidneys, liver and brain

How to get rid of worms without risk to your pet

To protect yourself and your pet, you need to remember the following:

1. Only clinically healthy animals are anthelmintic (if there is a digestive disorder - vomiting, loose stools, refusal to feed, then giving an anthelmintic is prohibited until an appointment or consultation with a veterinarian);
2. Prevention of worms in dogs and cats is carried out once every 3 months;
3. Preventive treatment of puppies and kittens is carried out for the first time at 3 weeks or 1 month, then before the first vaccination it is mandatory (vaccination is carried out from 2 months, respectively, the anthelmintic should be given 10 days before it), if there are no worms after deworming, it is carried out vaccination, if any, requires repeated treatment at intervals and only then, the first vaccine in life. Next, before revaccination at 3 months (again, the drug is given 10 days before), if the first vaccine was given earlier than prescribed, and at the time of revaccination the puppy/kitten is not yet 3 months old, then we revaccinate without rabies and without deworming, and then, when 3 months arrive, we vaccinate purely against rabies (give an anthelmintic 10 days before). Subsequently, anthelmintic is administered once every 3 months and 10 days before the annual vaccination;
4. All animals in the house are dewormed at the same time;
5. It is not recommended to anthelmintize pregnant and lactating females unless absolutely necessary, so giving an anthelmintic should be done 10-14 days before mating;
6. After your pet comes into contact with animals infected or potentially infected with helminthic infestation, preventive deworming is required;
7. If you notice eggs in the stool that look like grains of rice, small worms or something similar, carry out preventive deworming;
8. The administration of drugs is carried out strictly by weight: if you give a smaller amount of the drug, it will not have a full effect, and an overdose can harm the animal’s body;
9. Try to use only high-quality imported drugs. Since imported products undergo more degrees of control and testing, they produce fewer side effects, are tolerated more gently by the body, but at the same time retain their high effectiveness.

It is important to remember that if the fact of helminthic infestation is established, and this can be done by passing a stool test (scatology) or visually noticing worm eggs in the feces, then deworming should be carried out 2 times with an interval of 10-14 days. This is due to the fact that after the first administration of the drug, adults die and emerge; repeated administration of the drug is required to remove the larvae and eggs of the parasite. Most often, giving the drug twice is sufficient, but there may be cases that require taking the drug more times.

Since worms in the process of life activity emit a certain amount of toxins, and this amount, in most cases, does not visually change the condition of the animal in any way, then with severe helminthiasis after giving an anthelmintic drug, the parasites die simultaneously and release a huge amount of these toxins, which can cause serious intoxication, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, apathy, and can even lead to the death of the animal. Therefore, after giving an anthelmintic, it is necessary to monitor the well-being of your pet: if the condition worsens, immediately consult a veterinarian.

You also need to take into account the fact that helminthiasis belongs to anthropozoonoses - a group of infectious and invasive diseases common to animals and humans.

For this reason, there is a danger of infection of the animal owner and all family members. To avoid the unpleasant consequences of helminthic infestation, it is necessary to protect your body prophylactically.

Treatment of opisthorchiasis

Treatment of the pathology should be carried out regardless of the stage and type of opisthorchiasis. The sooner treatment is started, the less likely it is that the parasite will cause severe damage to your body.

In order to start treatment, it is necessary to have the latest results of a general blood and urine test, a biochemical blood test, FGDS, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, and for patients over 40 years old, also an ECG.

The use of medications relieves inflammation. If there are allergic reactions or intoxication, then this problem is eliminated through the use of antihistamines. Choleretic drugs are prescribed, which are taken at the time prescribed by the doctor, and antibiotics are prescribed. The drugs are most often taken for up to 14 days. A special diet is established for the patient, which he must follow.

After the course of treatment, a control duodenal intubation will be done, you will receive a full medical report and doctor’s recommendations, which you must adhere to throughout your life.

After antiparasitic therapy, a rehabilitation period begins. It can last for 3-4 months, its main tasks are:

• restoration of normal functioning of the digestive system;
• complete disposal of dead helminths that remain in the body;
• elimination of the consequences of helminth activity in the human body.

The best deworming tablets for humans

According to parasitologists, Vermox and Dekaris are among the most common means of preventing worms in humans. But they are not suitable for animals. Medicines are used once every 6 months. Before use, you should consult your doctor, as there are certain contraindications.

If you suspect that your body has already been infected, it is recommended to take a stool test for worm eggs to accurately determine the type of parasites and prescribe a narrow-spectrum drug. The prescription of anthelmintic drugs should be carried out only by a doctor according to the results obtained.

Gut restoration

After removing the worms, it is necessary to restore the functioning of the cat’s digestive system. To do this you will need:

1. Adding pickled vegetables to your diet. They must be mixed with basic products; animals will not consume them in their pure form.
2. If the cat is on a commercial diet, it needs to be given special nutritional supplements that contain enzymes and bacteria that are beneficial to the intestines. Supplements are available in powder form, which is added to industrial food or diluted with water.
3. Regular presence of fermented milk products in the menu: cottage cheese, homemade yogurt, kefir of minimal or medium fat content.

If the cat is on a commercial diet, it is recommended to periodically give a fennel decoction to prevent worms.

Types of medicines for worms

Products used for deworming animals exist in the form of tablets, suspensions, treatments on the withers (Spot-on pipettes), and injections.

Injections for worms

Injectable anthelmintic agents are highly toxic and do not have a broad-spectrum effect on parasites (for example, drugs containing Ivermectin). In our clinic, such drugs are not used and are not recommended.

Treatment on the withers Spot-on

Some medications only have an anthelmintic effect, while others, in addition to the anthelmintic effect, also provide protection against fleas and ticks.

These funds have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include the fact that these drugs are extremely easy to use. This is due to the fact that not all animals tolerate taking medications orally (through the oral cavity). This is due either to the aggressiveness of the animals, or to the fact that when trying to give any drugs by mouth, very strong salivation begins. Because of this, for some owners, applying the product to the withers is the only way to treat the animal.

The disadvantages are that these drugs do not have the same wide range of effects on worms as, for example, tablets or suspensions. Therefore, these drugs are not suitable for the treatment of helminthic infestations; their use is recommended only for the prevention of helminthiases. Also, these products are more expensive than their analogues. The most common Spot-on products are: Profender for cats, Stronghold, Lawyer, Inspector.

Anti-worm suspension

The liquid form of the suspension is convenient for many owners, but has its drawbacks. One of them is that when drinking the drug, part of it may be spat out by the animal, which leads to a violation of the dosage. Also, most suspensions are broad-spectrum drugs: their use may cause side effects in the form of digestive upset and lack of effectiveness. The most common drugs in this group are Prazicide, Dirofen.

Deworming tablets for dogs and cats

This is the most effective and broad-spectrum remedy in the fight against helminthic infestation. The only drawback is that not all owners can give the tablet to the animal. The drug must be given to the pet's tongue (the deeper, the more likely it is that the pet will swallow the drug) or fed with food, but this method is effective mainly in dogs.

The most effective drugs in this group: Milbemax (Milprazone), Drontal, Pratel, Cestal, Kanikvantel, Dekhinel and other imported drugs. Some anthelmintic tablets (Milbemax, Milprazone and Dironet) also have a preventive and therapeutic effect against heartworm disease (a heart parasite transmitted to animals by the bite of mosquitoes infected with heartworm larvae).

Deworming tablets for dogs and cats are the recommended form of anthelmintic use in our clinic.

Remember: when using this or that product, you must carefully read the instructions for use. Purchase products only from specialized veterinary pharmacies and stores. Pay attention to expiration dates.

Do not hesitate to contact our clinic for a consultation. We are always happy to help with the choice of a particular means of protection and tell you about new products and the latest developments in this area, and give all the necessary recommendations.

Causes of giardiasis

The mechanism of transmission of Giardia is fecal-oral. That is, Giardia is excreted from the body along with feces, and enters through the mouth - along with food or water.

Giardia exists in two forms - vegetative (in which Giardia feeds and grows) and in the form of a cyst (when the body of the microorganism is covered with a protective shell). Outside the human body, vegetative forms die, but cysts remain viable.

For Giardia infection to occur, it is enough for 10 to 100 cysts to enter the body. Giardia cysts can be present in the ground, in water, including running water and even spring water, and carried on the legs of flies. Only cooling below 13°C or boiling kills cysts.

A cyst that enters the human body reaches the duodenum, where it dissolves under the influence of intestinal juice. From one cyst, two vegetative forms of Giardia are formed. Giardia attaches to the villi of the intestinal mucosa and is believed to feed on products of parietal digestion. Giardia reproduces by division. Every 9-12 hours the number of Giardia doubles.

When it enters the colon, Giardia changes shape, turning into a cyst. Cysts leave the body with feces.