Roundworm in Kittens

Roundworms pose a serious health threat to kittens.

Raising a healthy kitten requires vigilance--common problems, such as roundworm infections, pose a greater risk to young cats than to adults. Recognizing the signs of roundworms in your kitten and treating the problem early will prevent serious complications from occurring. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that roundworms are the most prevalent type of parasitic infection in cats. As many as 75 percent of kittens may have roundworms.

Types

Kittens are most susceptible to infection from the Toxocara cati roundworm. Infection by Toxascaris leonina roundworms is less common in kittens than in adult cats but does occur. The T. cati larva migrates to an infected kitten's bloodstream. From the bloodstream, it moves to the liver, heart and lungs.
Toxascaris leonina's primary infection location is a cat's small intestine, where they can grow 5 inches long and produce as many as 200,000 eggs a day.

Effects

Effects of roundworm infections in kittens include diarrhea, bloody or mucoid stool, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite. In their book "The Feline Patient," Gary D. Norsworthy, Sharon Fooshee Grace and Mitchell Crystall say that roundworm infections cause more problems for kittens than for adult cats. A kitten with roundworms may have a distended abdomen, and she may lose weight. Toxocara larvae that travel to the lungs is the number one reason for coughing in kittens, according to "The Feline Patient." In some cases, Toxocara cati can lead to pneumonia or pseumonitis. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine's Feline Health Center warns that severe roundworm infestations can cause intestinal blockages that result in death.

Identification

It is possible for Toxascaris leonina to travel from the small intestine to the stomach. This can cause your kitten to vomit the worm or worms, allowing you to identify the problem. Kittens may also eliminate worms in their stool. Taking your kitten to a veterinarian for regular check-ups and testing is the best way to diagnose a roundworm infestation. Veterinarians can test your kitten's stool for the presence of worms, though according to "The Feline Patient," a kitten may display symptoms of roundworm infection prior to the presence of eggs in their feces.

Prevention/Solution

Toxascaris leonina infections occur when a kitten consumes a roundworm host, such as an infected mouse, or an egg. Having your kitten de-wormed as soon as possible and keeping him indoors and away from contaminants will prevent infections from occurring. If you have access to the kitten's mother, treating her for worms and preventing her from bringing rodents to the kitten will also help.
Toxacara cati roundworms may be transmitted through an infected mother cat's milk. Having the mother de-wormed before she becomes pregnant is the best method of prevention.
"The Feline Patient" recommends treating kittens regularly for roundworm. A veterinarian can safely de-worm your kitten. While over-the-counter worm medications may seem tempting because of their low price point, the ASPCA warns that some ingredients included in these products may harm your pet. Since kittens are particularly vulnerable, consult a veterinarian before administering treatment on your own.

Warning

Failure to treat your kitten for roundworms can lead to serious health complications, including death. In addition to wreaking havoc on your kitten's health, roundworms can infect you or a member of your family. Roundworm larvae can travel through human tissue and cause two serious diseases: ocular larval migrans and visceral larval migrans. Children are particularly susceptible to infection; the ASPCA reports that roundworms infect more than 10,000 children yearly.

References

• "The Feline Patient;" Gary D. Norsworthy, Mitchell Crystal, Sharon Fooshee Grace; 2006
• ASPCA: Worms
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cats
• "Feline Medicine: A Practical Guide;" Martha Cannon, Myra Forster-van Hijfte; 2006
• University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine: Toxascaris Leonina

Resources

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: The Feline Health Center