Tapeworms in Cats - Cat Symptom - Two Crazy Cat Ladies (2024)

FAQs

Tapeworms in Cats - Cat Symptom - Two Crazy Cat Ladies? ›

Cats with worms are often lethargic. They may lack energy, or seem to have less interest in things that usually excite them.

Cats with worms are often lethargic. They may lack energy, or seem to have less interest in things that usually excite them.

If your cat is regularly licking their anus it could mean they have tapeworms. Similarly, biting or scratching at this area may be a sign. Cats also tend to drag their hind legs across the floor in order to scratch the area; if you see your cat doing this, they may have contracted the parasite.

Tapeworms require an intermediate host, such as a flea, a bird, or certain species of rodents, to complete their lifecycle. In other words, your cat cannot get tapeworms directly from another cat or dog.

Indoor cats can get tapeworms if they have fleas or hunt rodents within the house. Fleas can enter a home on other animals or even by temporarily hopping aboard people. They then have easy access to an indoor cat who isn't being given a good flea preventive.

But occasionally, childhood parasitic infections can lead to changes in mood, behavior and sleep.

Tapeworms in cats often don't cause any symptoms, but they can still lead to perianal irritation and itching due to migration around the anus. In some cases, tapeworms can also cause more severe problems such as intestinal obstruction, chronic enteritis (inflammation of the intestine), vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

Parasitism is when one organism benefits while the other is harmed. For example, tapeworms live in larger organisms, attaching itself to the inside of their intestines and taking nutrients from the host.

However, if infestation does occur, the environment must be treated along with the cat to prevent recurring infestations.

Can I touch my cat if it has tapeworms? ›

The most common tapeworm is called Dipylidium caninum. These are easy-to-treat tapeworms in cats, and they are not contagious to humans. Dipylidium is something veterinarians see every day. These worms can be very long—up to 20 inches!

Get your cat treated as soon as possible to make sure they are clear of worms. You should thoroughly clean all of your cat's bedding on a hot wash and any other blankets or sheets they may have touched.

You may also spot the tapeworm egg segments in your cat's litterbox or near their anus. 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.

Most dogs and cats infected with Dipylidium tapeworm do not show signs of illness. However, you can sometimes see the proglottids crawling near the animal's anus (butt) or on the surface of a fresh bowel movement.

Go to the Vet

Your vet will give your cat a specific type of dewormer, either oral or injectable. Only prescription-strength vet-administered deworming medication is strong enough to get rid of tapeworms, so don't rely on over-the-counter medicine for this problem.

You should quarantine your cat if they have a tapeworm. Once you administer dewormers, you should quarantine them for a few days to be safe. Quarantining your feline companion is necessary to protect any other pets you may have in your family and prevent the further spread of the virus.

These parasites can be wormlike or one-celled protozoan organisms. They usually cause fairly nonspecific symptoms, such as a dull coat, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, mucousy or bloody feces, loss of appetite, pale mucous membranes, or a potbellied appearance.

Are there any side effects from deworming medication? Although side effects of dewormer medications are uncommon, some cats may have vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or increased salivation. These symptoms, if occurred, are usually seen within 24 hours of taking the medication and should spontaneously resolve.

When the adult parasites, larvae, or eggs find their way through the bloodstream or nasal passages into the central nervous system, they can cause damage to the brain and other related systems.

For example, when a child has worms or a parasite they may feel unwell or tired, and this may cause them to be clingy or irritable. If their adenoids are enlarged or hayfever and congestion is affecting sleep, they may be very tired and cranky.