Symptoms of Intestional Worms in Cats

Worms are a very dangerous aspect of owning a cat. Many types of worms can infest a cat's intestinal system such as roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. These worms can either be visible to the naked eye or microscopic. Luckily it is easy to tell if the cat has a worm infestation.

Nausea and Vomiting

A cat with a worm infestation may show signs of nausea and even begin to vomit. Though some worms can be too small to be observed in the cat's vomit, roundworms are large enough to be seen.

Fecal Matter

Worms can also be seen in the feces of an infected cat. A vet will often take a fecal sample in order to observe if the cat does have worms. Roundworms and tapeworms can are large enough to be seen in the cat's fecal matter.

Diarrhea

Intestinal worms can also cause diarrhea in an infested cat. The worms cause stress on the cat's digestive tract which in turn can cause diarrhea.

Anal Irritation

If the cat is seen obsessively licking the anal area or dragging it's hind end along the ground, worms can be the problem. Worms, especially tapeworms, cause irritation at the anal site. Sometimes the worms can also be seen around the anal area.

Anemia

Anemia can also be observed in a cat that has a worm infestation. The loss of pinkish color around the gums as well as lethargy and listlessness are all symptoms of anemia. This anemia can be caused by intestinal parasites that are causing blood loss.

Resources

• How do I know if my pet has worms?
• Intestinal Parasites in Cats