The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: HEARTWORMS Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are roundworm parasites ranging from 6 to 12 inches long (15 to 30 cm) that are found in the hearts, pulmonary arteries, and venae cavae of infected dogs. They can cause serious, even life-threatening disease in dogs, and they may also cause health problems … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: WHIPWORMS and EYEWORMS WHIPWORMS Whipworms (Trichuris species) are intestinal roundworms that are known to occur in the cecum (part of the large intestine) and sometimes cause diarrhea and weight loss. Although once thought not to occur in cats, whipworms have been rarely diagnosed in them. Infection is acquired … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: LUNGWORMS Lungworms, as their name implies, are small (about one-fourth-inch, 0.6 cm long) roundworms who as adults live in the lungs of cats. The more common lungworm, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, infects cats who have eaten snails, slugs, rodents, frogs, lizards, or birds carrying infective larvae of the worm. These … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: THREADWORMS The threadworms, Strongyloides stercoralis, is a roundworm parasite of cats, dogs, and humans. Infection with this species and other kinds of threadworms is acquired most commonly when infective larvae penetrate the skin. This can cause red lumps, crusts, and scratching. And during their migration through the body … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: STOMACH WORMS Stomach worms infect both cats and dogs and occur mainly in the southeastern United States. They frequently cause vomiting and cannot be differentiated from other causes of vomiting without examination of a fecal sample and the aid of a veterinarian. You can prevent infection of your … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: HOOKWORMS POSSIBLE SIGNS OF HOOKWORMS Hookworms (Ancylostoma and Uncinaria species) are small intestinal parasites (about one-fourth to one-half inch long, 0.6 to 1.25 cm) that attach to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood. Cats may become infected by ingesting infective larval worms off the ground, … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: ROUNDWORMS (NEMATODES) Although most people are aware that roundworm infections occur in cats, many are unaware that, like the other classes of internal parasites, there are several kinds of roundworms. Common ones are covered in the following pages. ASCARIDS Ascarids are the type of roundworms commonly seen in … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: TAPEWORMS (CESTODES) Cats acquire tapeworms by eating any of three types of infected materials: prey, offal (discarded animal parts), or uncooked meat; raw, freshwater fish; or infected fleas or biting lice. The common tapeworms (Taenia species and Dipylidium caninum) are acquired by ingesting prey or infected fleas and … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: FLUKES (TREMATODES) Like protozoans, trematode parasites are uncommon causes of disease in cats. One fluke, Paragonimus, can cause cysts in the lungs of both cats and dogs, leading to a chronic cough and pneumonia. Infection can be prevented by keeping your pet from eating raw crayfish or from … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: PROTOZOANS There are few intestinal protozoans that cause illness in cats. Signs of infection, if present, are variable but often include diarrhea not responsive to home treatment. There is no method to diagnose or treat these parasites at home, so you as an owner must rely on the … Read more