As cat owners, it is such a delight to see and touch our cat's shiny furry coat. There can be as many as 130,000 hairs per square inch in a cat’s coat. And these hairs do many things: they give a cat sensory data, protect it from heat and cold, wind and rain and even help a cat manufacture vital nutrients like vitamin D. Although cats can be so meticulous in cleaning their furry treasure, once in a while they can lose this amazing shine.
There are a lot of reasons why a feline's coat can be dull or its skin dry and flaky. Some causes include:
Poor nutrition. A cat needs a diet that consists a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fat to achieve healthy and shiny hair, skin and body. So if your feed your kitty poor quality of food then he'll end up lacking on those vital minerals and nutrients.
Weight problems. When cats become fat or obese, it becomes difficult for them to reach their whole bodies to clean. Therefore, keeping the hair dull and ungroomed.
Age. As cats get older, they become less flexible or arthritic. As a result, they can't twist and turn as they used to. So, age or pain could leave your cat's coat dull.
Frequent bathing. Bathing kitty too often could bedraggle your cat's coat.
Cats, or even most pets, can acquire intestinal parasites as well as some of what we call "worms". Infestations of intestinal worms can cause a variety of symptoms. In some cases cats show only few of these symptoms. Sometimes they don't even show up, thus, the infestation can develop without detection despite being a potentially serious health problem. Some feline parasitic worms are hazards for humane health as well. We must be aware of these parasite as well as how to manage if we are in such situation.
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So what are the most common types of worms in cats? Here is a list of them:
Roundworms - the most common internal parasites in cats. They resemble spaghetti and can grow up to 3 to 4 inches long. Cats can be affected by this in several ways. Nursing kittens can get
roundworms from an infected mother’s milk, while adult cats can acquire
them by ingesting an infected rodent or the feces of an infected cat.
Hookworms - smaller than roundworms-less than an inch
long-and reside primarily in the small intestine. These worms can cause life-threatening anemia
especially in kittens since they feed on blood. Hookworm eggs are passed in the stool and hatch
into larvae. A cat can become infected through ingestion or
skin contact. However it is worth noting that hookworms are more common on dogs than cats.
Tapeworms - segmented parasites that can range from 4 to 28 inches in length. These worms are usually long and flat. An infestation can cause vomiting or weight loss.
Cats acquire tapeworms by ingesting an intermediate host, like an
infected flea or rodent. When cats are infected, tapeworm segments.
Lungworms - resides at the lungs unlike intestinal parasites. Cats develop coughs as a symptom of acquiring this worm. However, some will show no signs at all. They can acquire this worm after eating a bird or rodent who has ingested an intermediate host, such as, slugs or snails.
Usual transmissions of these worms to your cat may be through the digestion of the feces of an infected cat. Mother cats can also pass on worms to their kittens. Also, the symptoms depend on the type of worm infecting your cats. Nonetheless, the most common clinical signs include:
Diarrhea
Worms visible in stool or segments of worm seen near anus
Bloody stool
Bloating or round, potbellied appearance to abdomen
Are certain cats prone to these worms? Outdoor cats that hunt and eat rodents, and those who are routinely
exposed to soil where other animals defecate are prone to worms. Cats
that have fleas
are also likely to get tapeworms. Kittens and cats that do not receive
regular preventative health care are most at risk for developing
complications associated with internal parasites. So if your think your cat has displayed a number of these symptoms, bring them to your veterinarian immediately. Avoid self-diagnosis, since worms are not always visible or identifiable.
A cat is treated specifically by what type of worm it has. For instance, a dewormer that eradicates tapeworms will not kill
roundworms. And some over-the-counter deworming medications can be damaging. After your vet has accurately diagnosed the type of parasite
your pet has, he or she will then prescribe the best course of treatment.
Prevent your cat from having these worms by keeping your cat indoors to avoid exposure from infected cats, rodents, fleas and feces. Also, make sure your home or yard is free from fleas. In addition, be sure to practice frequently disposing litter box waste and don't forget to wear gloves while doing this. You can also talk to your vet on parasite prevention programs available for your cat.
Having worms that can be bad for your cat should always be prevented. If your love your cat, be cautious always. 'Til next time!
