Overview
If you ’ve ever welcomed a kitten into your rest home ( or are about to ) , there ’s a unspoiled chance the matter of cat worms has ( or will ) come up . mayhap even more often than you ’d like ! Veterinarians often focalize onroundwormsandhookwormswhen discussing theimportance of deworming . However , lesser - know whipworms in true cat merit tune prison term , too .
Though only about 0.1 percent of pet cats in the U.S. have whipworms [ 1 ] , understanding this rare parasite is essential . Treatment for whipworms differs significantly from other hombre worms , so it ’s critical to know what to expect and how to protect your pet .
Here ’s everything you need to know about whipworm in cats , from the symptoms your kitty may show to diagnosing , intervention , and prevention tips .
What Are Whipworms?
Whipworms are a parasite in the genusTrichuris . These diminutive , thread - alike nematodes hold up in the colon or in the large intestine . Because they are uncommon in khat , the wallop is low-toned for most felines . Though severe infestations can chair to wellness issues likeanemia .
Unlike roundworm , which are more likely to make noticeable symptom , such as looseness of the bowels , feline whipworm infections often go undetected . That ’s why knowing what to watch out for to ensure quick diagnosing and discussion is crucial for keep your cat ’s wellness .
Because they are rare in cats , the shock is low for most cats . Roundworms and hookworm are much more prevalent and more often associate with symptom like diarrhea .
What do Whipworms Look Like?
Whipworms are slender , white to off - snowy worms measure 2–3 inch long . Their soundbox are mostly tenuous , with one final stage widen significantly , giving them a lash - like appearance . The thicker part resemble the grip of a whiplash .
While grownup whipworms are seeable to the naked middle , whipworm bollock in Arabian tea feces are microscopical . You wo n’t see these eggs without a microscope , but they play a key role in transmitting the contagion .
How Do Cats Get Whipworms?
big cat develop a whipworm infection by take in grunge , food , or water foul with the parasite ’s eggs .
computed tomography can not give the transmission to one another directly . However , when an septic computed axial tomography defecates , they shed whipworm eggs in their feces ( poop ) .
It takes 9 to 21 days for these eggs to senesce and become infective . These infective testis can survive for twelvemonth in harsh condition . Once a cat ingests an infective ball , it hatches in their intestines , growing into an adult whipworm within 3 month .
out-of-door cats have an increase risk of set out a whipworm infection . Certain regions of the United States may have higher prevalence as well . A discipline on outdoor cats in Florida found whipworms in 38 percentage of cats [ 2 ] – a marked step-up from just 0.1 pct of domesticated quat across the nation .
Can Humans Get Whipworms from Cats?
Whipworms are highly species - specific . Cat whipworms infect only cats , so humans are not at risk . While there are rare cases of humans contracting whipworms from dogs , there are no such written report ask cat .
Still , you never make love what parasites or animals may be flow around your chiliad . So it ’s always secure to practice good hygienics to tighten the peril of transmission . Always wash out your hands thoroughly after clean up animate being feces or work with potentially contaminated soil .
Whipworm Symptoms in Cats
In khat , whipworms survive by feed off feline blood and the facing of the intestine . Most true cat with whipworms show no apparent symptom . However , in life-threatening cases , the parasitic worms can cause significant blood loss .
In some cases , this can trigger anemia ( abject carmine blood mobile phone ) , which can cause subtle symptom over time . In kitten , these signs are more striking because they are low and have less blood to lose .
Symptoms may include :
If you find any of these symptoms , consult your veterinarian for examination and handling .
Diagnosing Whipworms in Cats
If your vet suspects your cat may have whipworms , you ’ll need to bring your cat in for a visit . However , veterinarians can not diagnose the precondition with a forcible exam alone .
Instead , vets swear on diagnostic tests to confirm whether or not a computerized axial tomography has whipworms . There are two types of tests :
Whipworm in Cats Treatment
There are no medication specifically sanction for qat whipworm infections . However , vets often prescribe antiparasitic drug off - recording label as an effectual treatment .
Whipworm Medication for Cats
Fenbendazole ( brand name Panacur ) – Whipworms have an implausibly long lifecycle . So vets often use the “ 3 days , 3 weeks , 3 months ” approaching when prescribing this deworming medication .
First , your cat takes fenbendazole for three days to kill the adult whipworms . Then again three weeks later to kill any newly matured grownup . However , the medicine does not kill larvae ( immature parasites ) . So you must handle again three months later , after those larvae become mature grownup , to ensure all the worms are fit .
“ Combo ” or “ comprehensive”flea preventive – Some monthly flea medicine contain extra constituent that place other sponge . While many of these multi - purpose meds target only roundworms and hookworms , several contain ingredients effective against whipworm , including :
General Cost
The price of diagnose and treating whipworms typically includes :
How to Prevent Whipworm in Cats
The best strategy for preventing whipworms include :
By staying vigilant and mitigating risks , you could keep your CT dependable from whipworms . Though the likelihood of whipworms in cats is small , the band you take can aid ward against other intestinal parasites . And that ’s a win - win for you and your cat !
