Almost all cats will experience at least one form of worm infection during their lifetime; Among the most widespread worm infestations are roundworms and tapeworms.
What are tapeworms?
All worms are parasites that feed on the inside of your cat and can make her very sick. The worms can be transferred from mother to kitten; the litter box is also a source of worm infestation, especially if you have more than one cat.
The tapeworm is made up of several segments and each of these segments contains the eggs of the worm. The segments containing the eggs fall off the worm and are excreted outside the cat’s body in its feces.
How do cats get tapeworms?
The tapeworm may have been passed to a kitten by its mother. However, the main source of tapeworms is cat fleas. Fleas eat tapeworm eggs that are passed in cat feces; the cat will swallow the flea when it cleans itself and this is how the tapeworm egg enters your cat’s body. If you want to avoid tapeworm infestation, you first need to make sure your cat is free of fleas. If a cat has fleas, he is more likely to have tapeworms, which attack the cat’s intestinal tract.
Symptoms of tapeworms in cats
You must observe the behavior of your cat. Cats that have tapeworms will scratch and lick more around the anus. Irritability and loss of appetite are other symptoms that the cat has fleas.
Treatment of tapeworms in cats
You should always take your cat to the vet for a checkup if you suspect a worm infection. Your vet will most likely treat your cat by prescribing some deworming medication, which will almost always eliminate the tapeworm problem. You will also need to clean the cat’s bedding and areas of the house that your cat has access to. Combine exercise treatment along with a correct diet and regular checkups and your cat should be free of tapeworms.
Prevention of tapeworms in cats
To prevent your cat from re-infesting with tapeworms, you will need to keep fleas off your cat and out of your home. A regular dose of deworming medication prescribed by your vet will definitely keep the worms out permanently.