Symptoms Of Tapeworms In Cats
If your cat has tapeworm, it may or may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms. Minor cases of tapeworm infestation may result only in a few non-visual symptoms, while severe cases will cause your cat to exhibit more apparent reactions. Gaining familiarity with both types of symptoms will help you recognize the condition in your pet and hopefully enable you to seek proper treatment.
Tapeworms are most often seen in cats that have swallowed fleas. The tapeworm larvae and eggs are actually inside these fleas and when they are swallowed and digested, the tapeworm eggs hatch and grow into the adult stage inside your cat.
Tapeworm infestation is actually quite common in animals that are typically infested with fleas. This goes for cats as well as dogs, You can actually see the tapeworms easily enough even without a microscope, and they look somewhat like tiny grains of rice. Most pet owners first notice them in their cat’s stool, although they may be present in the fur near and underneath the tail as well. And this is in fact the most common symptom of a tapeworm infestation.
Most animals that are infected with tapeworms may also lose weight, although they appear to be eating normally. This is particularly noticeable in animals that have a severe tapeworm infestation, and is caused by the pests robbing your pet of nutrients by way of the intestines and the stomach.
Some of the symptoms of tapeworm infestation that may not be visible or noticeable early on are fever, frequent licking of the genitals, coughs, and frequent urination. Infected cats may also have a larger–or conversely, smaller–appetite, or they may simply have otherwise unusual eating habits. Severe cases of tapeworm infestation may result in pneumonia. Still other pets may exhibit signs of restlessness or diarrhea.
In some cases, the tapeworms may work loose from the intestinal walls where they typically start off attaching themselves, and work their way into the stomach. When that happens, they may irritate the lining of the stomach, causing the cat to vomit and expel the worms with it. It is only when this happens that most owners are first made aware of the condition of their pet.
If you notice these and any other unusual symptoms in your cat, you may want to consider treatment for tapeworm infestation. Ask your veterinarian what the best course of action is to take. Should you attempt a home remedy or some other form of “alternative” tapeworm treatment, it would still be a good idea to run it by your doctor in order to gauge its applicability to your pet. With any luck, your pet should be back to his spry and healthy self shortly.