The cat's litter box requires regular cleaning, since cats are very demanding animals when it comes to hygiene and if their litter box is not clean they may even refuse to relieve themselves in it.
It is possible that at some point dedicated to cleaning the litter box we observe in our cat's feces small white spots similar to a grain of rice, which also move. In these cases there is no doubt, we are facing an infestation by gastrointestinal parasites.
These parasites lay their eggs in the organism they infect and these eggs are expelled through the feces, feces that will come into contact with multiple and varied insects, therefore, if our cat has hunted some insect, spider or even rodent, it is very possible that it has been infected with certain parasites, which will continue their reproductive cycle in the cat's intestine, which explains why we can see worms in the feces.
Some types of parasites can also be transmitted when the cat starts breastfeeding with her young, however, this is not usual.
It is estimated that approximately 45% of cats suffer from an infestation of gastrointestinal parasites, the most frequent infection being caused by following agencies:
- Roundworms: Tocoscaris Leonina and Toxocara Cati
- Hookworms: Ancylostoma and Uncinaria
- Dirofilaria immitis
Intestinal parasitosis in cats can be treated and is generally not serious, however, a massive infection can cause an intestinal blockage, which will have fatal consequences for the he alth of our pet. Hygiene measures by people who live with a cat infested with parasites must be exhausted, especially when there are children in the home, since these parasites can end up in the human body.
In this article on our site we show you the steps to follow if your cat defecates worms.
It is possible that when cleaning your cat's litter box periodically you have not noticed the presence of worms in the feces, so it is important to know what are the clinical signs that may indicate intestinal parasitosis:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bad coat
- Loss of appetite
- Bloody stools
- Dark stools
- Bulging belly
If you observe any of these symptoms in your cat Go to the vet urgently as it is possible that the parasitic infestation is massive.
If while cleaning your cat's litter box you have been able to clearly observe the presence of worms in the feces, it is very important that you collect a sample, for this you will need to use gloves and also, you must wash your hands afterwards.
To avoid any contamination of the sample, we recommend that you deposit it in a sterilized plastic container, such as those used for urinalysis.
Take your cat to the vet for a physical examination, it is very important that you also take the stool sample with you, since only in this way will the veterinarian be able to confirm the diagnosis and also know what species of parasite is causing the problem, which is of great importance in order to prescribe an adequate treatment.
Depending on the parasite that is causing the infestation in your cat, the veterinarian will recommend a certain drug, the following being the most commonly used:
- Pyrantel Pamoate
- Fenbendozal
- Praziquantel
- Oxybendazole
You must follow all the administration advice and duration of treatment that the veterinarian gives you, remember that he is the only person qualified to recommend a certain drug.
In addition to administering the pharmacological treatment to your cat, you must use the following hygienic measures to avoid a new infection in the cat, contagion to another animal or a contagion to humans:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Constantly monitors children's hygiene, prevents them from putting their hands in their mouths
- Remove feces from the litter box frequently
- Carry out an exhaustive cleaning of the litter box, feeder, drinker and all the cat's accessories
- Carry out a thorough cleaning of all surfaces in the home
- Avoid as much as possible the presence of insects and rodents
To prevent gastrointestinal parasites in cats it is recommended to carry out an antiparasitic treatment 4 times a year, however, some people are reluctant because the repeated use of these products can cause resistance in certain parasites.
In any case, it is important that you check your cat's feces at least every 4 months.
Try to maintain optimal hygiene conditions in your home and especially in all the cat's utensils.
Finally, we recommend that you read the following articles on the he alth of cats, as they will be of great interest and use to you:
- Prevent obesity in cats
- Fever in cats
- Most common diseases in cats
- Mange in cats
