The most effective medication for killing tapeworms in cats is praziquantel. If your veterinarian finds fleas or even just the feces of fleas (aka “ flea dirt”) on your cat, they will likely recommend deworming for tapeworms due to the high risk of an existing infection. And fecal flotations performed by your veterinarian can also come up short when trying to detect tapeworm infection due to the intermittent shedding of the egg-containing segments. Cats can clean the evidence from their backsides and bury their stool in the litterbox before anyone gets a chance to see the evidence of infection. What makes it so difficult to diagnose tapeworms in cats is that kitties are very fastidious groomers. However, the absence of Haw’s syndrome does not rule out intestinal parasite infection or other intestinal disease. This syndrome can occur in severely dehydrated cats, but has also been associated with significant disease of the stomach and intestines due to parasites (such as tapeworms), inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal cancer and viral enteritis. Rarely, a condition called Haw’s syndrome may be associated with heavy tapeworm presence in cats and cause prolapse in the third eyelids (nictitating membranes). Tapeworm segments migrating to the anal area may also cause excessive anal itching which can lead to butt scooting or constant licking of the anal area. Fresh or dry segments can occasionally be seen stuck to the fur around the anus or moving on the surface of fresh feces. When dry, they somewhat resemble sesame seeds. They are about a quarter of an inch long when fresh and stretched out, but begin to dry after leaving the body and become more difficult to see. Pale yellow and mobile, the Dipylidium proglottids come out with the cat’s feces, but the segments can also migrate from your cat’s anus without the presence of stool. You may also spot the tapeworm egg segments in your cat’s litterbox or near their anus. Vomiting (due to adult tapeworms becoming detached from the small intestinal wall and migrating to the stomach).Cats who have heavy flea infestations are more likely to end up with large amounts of tapeworms in their intestines, and there is potential for these patients to experience the following signs of tapeworms in cats: Most cats do not show signs of illness from tapeworm infections. Once released into the environment, they become ingested by flea larvae, and the cycle starts all over again. These segments contain up to 20 microscopic eggs and exit the cat’s body through their feces. At this point, it takes about four weeks to grow into a reproducing adult tapeworm, which can measure anywhere from 6 to 23 inches and produce the segmented egg packets. Once swallowed, the flea is digested, and the tapeworm larvae is released unharmed where it can then attach to the intestines. When the infected adult flea jumps onto your cat, it can then be consumed during your kitty’s grooming. These eggs then hatch inside the flea larvae’s body and hide there through the larvae’s development into a blood-sucking adult flea. These tiny flea larvae chew into the tapeworm egg case and consume the microscopic ova. This intestinal parasite has earned its “flea tapeworm” moniker because it uses a flea as an intermediate host to get into your pet.Īs seen in the illustration above, the cycle of infection starts when segmented tapeworm egg packets, called proglottids, are consumed by flea larvae (pre-adult fleas) either outside or by existing fleas in the home. But the most common tapeworm found in pet cats is Dipylidium or the “flea tapeworm.” When cats eat these infected prey animals, the parasite then infects the cat. Taenia and Echinococcus tapeworms can infect wild rodents and rabbits, in addition to house pets. There are three types of tapeworms that can infect felines:Īll three typically use other animals, called an intermediate host, to enter the cat. They contain both male and female reproductive organs and use their hook-like mouth parts to anchor to the inside of the intestinal wall. Tapeworms are long, white and flat segmented worms that can live in the small intestines of cats and dogs. To truly understand tapeworms in cats, pet parents first need to understand what tapeworms are and what tricks they have up their (metaphorical) sleeve when it comes to infesting your cat. But what are the signs of tapeworms in cats? How would you know if your cat is suffering? Don’t bug out: We’re here to help! Tapeworms in cats are intestinal parasites that have the potential to make kitties sick.
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