Cat Tapeworm Symptoms
Tapeworms are a common ailment in cats and something they can easily contract. If you are a cat owner, it's important to notice the signs and symptoms of tapeworms as early as possible.
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The Tapeworm
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A tapeworm is a parasite that attaches itself to the sides of your cat's small intestine, where it can live and feed. A tapeworm is made of sections that grow from the head and each section contains its own reproductive capabilities. New tapeworms often are caused by fleas that ingest tapeworm eggs. When a cat with fleas grooms itself, it sometimes will swallow a flea, helping tapeworm eggs enter the cat's body.
Look For Eggs
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One sign your cat may have tapeworms is eggs that have been laid in its litter box or where it sleeps. You also may find segments of tapeworms in your cat's stools. If your cat throws up, in rare cases you may find a tapeworm's head in its vomit.
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Weight Loss
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A cat that is losing weight or eating a lot more food than normal can be a sign of a prolonged tapeworm infestation--or other illness.
Scooting
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Another symptom of tapeworms is your cat scooting its bottom across the floor. Tapeworm segments sometimes can irritate your cat's anus, causing it to try to relieve the itching or pain.
Abdominal Sensitivity
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If your cat has a tapeworm that goes undetected for a long time, another sign of a problem is abdominal pain or sensitivity to touch in the abdominal area.
Treatment and Prevention
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Tapeworms are treated with prescription tablets or an injection. To prevent future tapeworm infestations, vacuum your furniture and your carpet and maintain a clean, fresh litter box. Have your cat treated regularly to keep fleas away and if you have an outdoor cat, yard treatments for fleas are available.
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