What to do if you suspect your cat has worms? Many cat owners face this common problem. These worms can affect the cat’s health in general and so it is very important to treat the feline right away. However, the first thing to do if you suspect your cat has worms is to take the cat to a vet.
Many cat owners make the mistake of purchasing over-the-counter drugs for treating worms. This can prove to be a very costly mistake as a cat should never be given medicine without a consultation with the vet. No matter where you get the information from, always check with a vet before you medicate the cat. If you have a friend whose cat too had worms and he or she recommends the drug that cured the cat, do not think of giving the medicine to your cat. This may be harmful because the cats might be of different breeds, the kind of worm may be different, or your cat might be pregnant.
The obvious question that will then arise is what to do if you suspect your cat has worms?
Worms have been seen to cause a lot of harm in cats, but worms can also easily be cured. Take your cat to the vet and let the vet check the animal up thoroughly. Only then can he or she prescribe the correct medication for your beloved feline friend. Often, the cat also needs to get some tests done to ascertain the exact type of worm it might have contracted. However, as a cat owner you do not need to worry much as there are very effective and reliable treatments available to rid your cat of worms.
Another thing to do if you suspect your cat has worms is to try to determine the type of worm the cat might have got. There are a whole lot of worms that affect cats and the severity depends on the type of worm that they have contracted. Some of the different worms include: ringworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, eye worms, stomach worms, heartworms, and so on. Some of these worms are visible to the naked eye, while most are not. Cats get tapeworms generally from fleas and raw meat. Ringworms are severely damaging to the cat’s health causing diarrhea and other stomach ailments. Hookworms are another dangerous form of worms infecting cats. Since these worms suck blood from the cat, it can cause anemia in the affected cat. Eye worms are rare, but these can cause a lot of pain in cats. It causes excessive flow of tears and sometimes conjunctivitis. Another kind of worm is the heartworm and this type is known for its life threatening effects on a feline. This worm enters the cat’s body through mosquito bites and causes respiratory problems for the cat. If left untreated, it can cause death. It is imperative to be aware of the types of the worms that your cat can get infected with. Once you know the symptoms, it will be easier for you to determine the type of worm and let your veterinarian help you determine the best course of treatment.
