Treatment for Cat Roundworm: Medications & Care Guide

Section 1: Symptoms of Cat Roundworm Infection

Roundworms can trigger a variety of clinical symptoms such as coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and seizures, or subclinical signs like stunted growth. Cats infected with roundworms may exhibit two main symptoms: first, they may suffer from weight loss and malnutrition, with young kittens showing symptoms like rough hair and vomiting even with a low worm burden. Adult cats typically display more pronounced symptoms when there is a higher worm load, and sometimes, they may even regurgitate the worms through their mouth. In severe cases, the intestines may become blocked or even rupture.

Section 2: Pathological Changes

The most common local lesions associated with roundworm infection are congestive and hemorrhagic enteritis. A large number of worms can be found in the small intestine. Granulomatous lesions caused by parasitic worms can be present in various organs, including the lungs. The migration of larvae can also lead to liver hemorrhage, cholangitis, intestinal perforation with peritonitis, and other complications.

Section 3: Diagnosing Cat Roundworm Infection

Newly adopted cats should be particularly vigilant about potential roundworm or other parasitic infections. Since roundworms are microscopic, it's advisable to have a veterinary checkup before or after bringing the cat home. A high worm burden in young animals can be fatal. In cases of intestinal rupture, a large number of worms can cause intestinal obstruction, bloating, bacterial diseases (selfpoisoning), and potentially fatal peritonitis, which requires immediate attention. In chronic infections, allergic reactions may lead to massive deaths of larvae during migration in the lungs, causing respiratory symptoms (asthmatic cough) in the host. In such cases, both the adult worms in the cat's intestines and the microscopic examination results may be negative.

Section 4: Medication for Treating Cat Roundworms

The oral medication Praziquantel, specifically designed for dogs and cats, can be used for regular deworming. It can be administered directly or mixed with food. It's important to wait about 6 hours after deworming before feeding normally, and encourage the cat to drink plenty of water during this period. Keep in mind that deworming is not a onetime solution; adult cats should be dewormed monthly. If your cat never catches mice, doesn't eat raw food, dislikes going outside, and doesn't rummage through trash cans, you can extend the deworming interval to every 23 months.

Pay close attention to your cat's health, maintain good dietary hygiene, and keep the environment clean. It's recommended to check your cat's feces twice a year, and for cats that can roam outdoors, check them 34 times a year to detect and treat infections early. Follow your veterinarian's advice and regularly administer appropriate deworming medications.

For answers to questions about treating cat roundworms and what medication to give a cat with worms, we hope this information provides a bit of assistance to all cat owners. If you have more questions about internal deworming for cats, you can learn more through "Cat Deworming" resources or consult an online pet doctor directly.