What Happens When a Cat Has Intestinal Parasites?

Intestinal parasites are common among cats. Cats can get various internal parasites, from roundworms and tapeworms, to hookworms and giardia. Some types are more dangerous than others, but they all need to be dealt with in order to ensure the health of your cat. It is also essential to get your cat treated for your own health, as some parasites can be passed from feline to human.

Roundworm

Roundworm live in the cat's intestine, passing eggs through the feces, and can cause intestinal blockage if not treated.

Tapeworm

Tapeworms occupy the small intestine, its head buried, and cause the cat to not gain the proper nutrients from the food it eats.

Hookworm

Hookworms enter the feline body as larvae, which then travel to the lungs, then the intestine, where they develop into adult hookworms, causing diarrhea, black stool, anemia through blood loss and eventually death, if left untreated.

Giardia

Giardia affects the small intestine of the feline, causing acute diarrhea within one to two weeks of infestation.

Coccidiosis

Coccidia are microscopic parasites that cause diarrhea in cats and kittens, as they attack the intestinal lining.

References

• Intestinal Parasites in Cats
• Feline internal parasites
• Gastrointestinal Parasites in Cats

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Photo Credit

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Marcos André