Feline parasites library. Up to date information on cat fleas, worms and other parasitic infections in cats.
Does your cat have patches of fur missing and sores on its skin? As vets we see this surprisingly often – but the good news is it’s often very treatable. Read on to learn about the most common causes and what you can do to help. What are the top reasons for sores and bald … Read more
A cat’s poop (also known as stool or feces) can tell caregivers and veterinarians a lot about their health. Pet owners may be alarmed to find worms (most often white worms) in their cat’s poop. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are the most common intestinal worms in cats. Pet owners must be aware that intestinal worms … Read more
Parasitic worms are an extremely common parasite in cats. There are several types of worm that commonly affect cats which include:
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It infects multiple warm-blooded animals including humans, livestock, and birds (all of whom act as intermediate hosts). Cats are the only definitive hosts to T. gondii, which means that the parasite is only able to sexually reproduce in felines (both wild and domesticated).
Tick paralysis is a common and life-threatening emergency caused when a tick injects neurotoxins into its host. Hundreds of species of tick exist worldwide, and as many as 40 species are capable of producing paralysis.
Also known as pinworms, threadworms (Strongyloides) are small worms which live in the small intestine, they are around 1/8 to 1/5 of an inch long. [1] There are several dozen species of threadworms, cats are most commonly affected by Strongyloides stercoralis. Threadworm is a rare infection in cats, and humans are believed to be a major source of infection for cats with S. stercoralis. [1]
Tapeworms at a glance
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Also known as feline scabies, notoedric mange is a rare but highly contagious and intensely itchy skin disease caused by the mite ‘Notoedres cati‘. Notoedres cati is found worldwide. While rare, they affect cats of any age, breed, and sex.
Lungworms are slim, hair-like nematodes that live in the lungs of mammals. The two most common species to infect cats are Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (feline lungworm) and Capillaria aerophila (Eucoleus aerophilus) (feline and canine bronchial capillarid).
Cat worms at a glance
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