There are several ways cats can become infected by tapeworms. The most common route is by ingestion of a flea while self grooming. Many cats will become itchy secondary to the motion of fleas running through their hair as well as the flea’s saliva when it bites the skin to obtain a blood meal. The cat can inadvertently ingest and swallow a flea that is hosting a tapeworm. The infected flea, referred to as the intermediate host, allows the tapeworm to gain entry into the cats intestines. Once in the intestines, the tapeworm will complete its life cycle resulting in tapeworm infestation in your cat. Tapeworms are long, flat and segmented with a white appearance. The adult worms will periodically release segments that may appear either around your cat’s anus or on the outside of their feces. Tapeworm segments most resemble little pieces of sesame seeds or grains of rice. Regular flea preventatives will prevent your cat from becoming infected by most tapeworms. If your cat is diagnosed with tapeworms medication will be prescribed to disrupt the tapeworms life cycle. Our Veterinarians at Town and Country Animal Hospital can prescribe medications either in the form of tablets that are given by mouth or an injection given under the skin.
Clink this link to see a tapeworm we removed from a cat. It was over 4 feet long!
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=985210999800587&set=pb.100049350884773.-2207520000
For cats living in the Naples, Golden Gate, Logan Woods area, our Veterinarians at Town and Country Animal Hospital see a fairly high incidence of a specific type of tapeworm known as Spirometra. Spirometra can be acquired by predatory behavior where the cat hunts and then eats an infected frog, rodent, snake or bird, or by drinking contaminated water. At Town and Country Animal Hospital our experienced veterinarians tend to see Spirometra in cats that have access to and spend time on screened in porches or pools areas known as a lanai. Lanais are a common habitat for little frogs that often carry the spirometra tapeworm. If your cat is diagnosed with spirometra it can be treated with medication that differs from treatment for flea tapeworms.
At Town and Country Animal Hospital we offer a variety of heartworm and flea preventions for both dogs and cats. Many of these products are available for purchase at our clinic or through our website at www.mynaplesvet.com or our online pharmacy https://mynaplesvet.covetruspharmacy.com
