Deworming

Regular deworming helps ensure your cat's health and prevents the spread of parasites.

Routine deworming, especially in outdoor cats, can help to prevent parasitic disease.

What are some types of parasites found in cats?

A cat can become infected with many types of internal parasites, including roundworms, tapeworms, and lungworms. Tapeworm segments look like grains of white rice adhered to the hair around the anus of your cat. If your cat hunts regularly we will recommend routine worming with a product that controls tapeworms. Other internal parasites can only be identified by providing a fecal sample from your cat for analysis in our hospital laboratory.

If my cat has worms, what symptoms should I look for?

Weight loss, unthrifty coat, changes in appetite, diarrhea, changes in breathing or coughing are all symptoms of possible internal parasite infection.

Are worms dangerous to humans?

There are certain parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms, hookworms that can cause illness when they infect humans.

What is the deworming schedule?

We recommend deworming every three months in cats that are at risk (outdoor, hunting, or around other cats that carry out these practices). Families with small children or immune compromised should use a monthly deworming schedule.

Are there any side effects from deworming medication?

Occasionally transient GI upset can occur, but most cats tolerate the medication with no problems.

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