Roundworm Bowel Impaction in Cats
Intestinal roundworms, often referred to as ascarids, are annoying parasites that thrive in a cat's digestive system. Although they're known to cause a variety of health problems, not many owners are aware that they can, when present in large numbers, lead to a dangerous bowel obstruction.
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Identification
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Cats typically are affected by two varieties of roundworms: Toxocara leonina and Toxocara cati. Roundworm eggs are invisible to the human eye; adult roundworms look like white-yellowish worms and resemble strands of spaghetti.
Effects
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Roundworms can cause damage to a cat's intestinal lining as they absorb nutrients the cat gets from food. Affected cats may vomit, have diarrhea, have a dull coat, and/or have a pot-bellied appearance. Malnutrition and anemia are common, especially in small kittens that are infected.
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Considerations
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Rarely, if a cat (or more likely a kitten) is infested with a large number of roundworms, the roundworms may coil up and entangle, obstructing the cat's intestinal tract.
Obstruction Signs
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Symptoms suggesting an obstruction due to roundworms are vomiting, straining to defecate, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hunched up position, and lack of appetite. An X-ray should reveal the presence of a mass of roundworms in the cat's intestinal tract.
Treatment
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Cats or kittens affected by an impaction due to roundworms require prompt veterinary treatment. Surgery may be required to remove the mass of worms.
Warning
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In rare cases, a kitten or cat affected by a heavy parasite infestation may become impacted with dead worms after being given a deworming medication, according to Veterinarypartner.com.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Stefano Mortellaro
