Deworming

Gastrointestinal parasites found in cats are either worms or protozoa. Different types of worms seen in cats include roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms. Protozoan parasites include Coccidia, Giardia and Toxoplasma. Heartworm, although almost unheard of in cats in Nova Scotia, can also be present in the heart and lungs.

Worms can cause a variety of symptoms in cats such as a dull coat, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, mucousy or bloody feces, loss of appetite, pale gums or a pot-bellied appearance. If there are not many worms present, there may not be any outward signs.

Cat roundworms can infect people. When this happens, the larva of these worms can migrate through tissues and affect the organs and eyes of people. These infections are rare, but they can have serious consequences. Children are at high risk due primarily to their inadequate hygiene practices. Immunocompromised people are also considered high risk.

At Avon Animal Hospital, we advocate for routine deworming for the most common parasites. Your cat’s lifestyle will determine the frequency of deworming and the type of product the vet recommends. For parasites not treated by our most common deworming products (e.g. Giardia), we recommend an annual fecal exam to help determine if your cat requires additional medication.

Deworming medications are very safe and usually well tolerated by most cats. If you have any specific considerations concerning your cat, please contact us so that we can determine which dewormer is the proper one for your cat.