Your cat can be affected by various parasitic infections. Though quite a few cat worms can be treated at home, it is still advisable to take your cat to the veterinarian. In case of contact with infected cats, humans can also be affected by these infections.

Types of cat worms:

* Tapeworms: Dipylidium Caninum is a common type of tapeworms in cats. Cats infested with fleas are very likely to get tapeworms. Also cats hunting wildlife infested with tapeworm can be infested. Once the eggs are inside the cat’s intestine, they break down and mature into adult tapeworms. Then it attaches itself to the wall of the intestine and starts feeding on its nutrients. The tail segment drops off and passes through the cat stool. These segments contain the eggs and looks like rice grains when dried.

Tapeworms cannot be treated with over-the-counter dewormers. A veterinarian visit is a must.

* Hookworms: these are very thin and small worms which attach themselves to the wall of the cat’s intestine and suck blood. Cats infest hookworms by ingesting soil contaminated with hookworm eggs. Symptoms are bloody diarrhea, anemia, weakness and loss of stamina. Hookworms can be fatal, even cause death if not timely treated.

It’s diagnosed by examining stool sample of the cat.

* Roundworms: Most kittens are born with roundworm larvae in their tissues. They are migrated from the mother’s tissues right from the time the kitten was in the mother’s uterus. Cats can infest roundworms by eating infected lizards, birds and bugs or also by ingesting contaminated soil. The larvae migrates o the intestinal tracts and stay in the small intestine and grow into adult roundworms. The eggs are passed in the cat stool and they are capable of re-infecting the kitten, other dogs or cats, if the contaminated feces are eaten.

Roundworms can be fatal. If you see symptoms like pot belly and poor growth in your kitten, then visit the veterinarian immediately.

Precautions:

* Regularly remove feces from the backyard.
* De-worm you cat under veterinarian supervision.
* Get the cat stool examined regularly in persistent cases.
* Do not mix as they are poisonous and can be fatal and do not give any other wormer if your cat is currently under medication.
* Always visit a veterinarian if you see any symptoms of cat worms.

All cat worms can affect humans as well. And they also have high chances of re-infecting your pet. It is wise to get your cat treated by a veterinarian if you see or even suspect any kind of cat worms.