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Pet Medication Home -> Quick Guide
to Cat Parasites
"How to Keep Your Cat
Free from Diseases with This Quick Guide to Cat Parasites"
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off
of other creatures. Among cats, parasites generally feed on the
animal's blood. Detecting internal parasites can be difficult, but
a close inspection of skin and fur is usually all that is needed
to uncover traces of external parasites such as ear mites and fleas.
There are many types of worms
that are internal parasites to cats. If you see small, rice like
debris around your cat's anus or in her bedding, take her to your
veterinarian. He will need to run simple tests to identify what
type of worm is present so that he can prescribe the proper medication
to eliminate the parasite.
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Coccidia are microscopic parasites. They live in cells
within the lining of the intestines. The most common symptom is
diarrhea. Left untreated, the animal becomes extremely weak and
dehydrated. Fortunately coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as
sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen)
are effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. However,
these drugs do not kill the parasites, but rather inhibit reproduction
- elimination of coccidia from the intestine is slow.
Ear mites take up residence in a cat's ear canals.
As they feed, they cause intense itching. A cat suffering from an
infestation of ear mites scratches behind her ears often and is
seen violently shaking her head on a regular basis. If you look
inside her ears, you will see dark flecks that resemble coffee grounds
- these are the mites' droppings. If you suspect ear mites, contact
your veterinarian.
There are several effective treatments for ear mites,
such as Fipronil (Frontline)
and Selamectin (Revolution). Ear mites are easily treated with eardrops,
but are very contagious to other cats. If you have a multi-cat household,
isolate the infected cat as soon as possible. Ear mites are not
transmitted from cats to humans.
Ringworm is not a true worm, rather the name for a
type of fungus, related to the fungus that causes athlete's foot
in humans. It usually causes no discomfort, but is highly contagious
to other cats and humans. If left untreated it weakens the immune
system and leaves your cat vulnerable to other, more serious diseases.
Fleas are perhaps
the most infamous pet parasite. Although they eat no more than a
drop of blood each, a flea infestation can cause anemia in adult
cats and death in kittens. In addition to literally sucking the
life from your cat, fleas often transmit tapeworms, as serious internal
parasite. Just a few fleas can cause great discomfort to your cat,
especially if she is one of the many animals allergic to fleabites.
The best way to conquer a flea invasion is to prevent it in the
first place.
Daily grooming, especially if you allow your cat outdoors
will help you keep one step ahead of the flea hordes. As you flea-comb
your cat, dip the comb into a container of soapy water to kill the
fleas. The soap film coats and suffocates the fleas.
Ask your veterinarian about preventative
flea medications. These are given to your cat orally. The chemical
they contain is harmless to your cat, but makes fleas sterile. It
is absorbed into your cat's blood, so when a flea bites her it cannot
reproduce.
If your cat has had fleas in the past, it is very
likely that you have flea eggs and larvae in your carpet and upholstery.
Your veterinarian can suggest a "flea bomb" based on how
bad the infestation is. It is important to follow the package instructions
carefully and repeat treatment as directed in order to make sure
all the generations are eliminated.
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