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.
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.
Article Source
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a
veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a
veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for
informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great
care has been made in the creation of these articles, we
cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages.
If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical
advice.
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