Nematodosis is one of the most common diseases in cats and dogs. It can be caused by roundworms of several varieties. For example, quite often, pets are infected with helminths of the Ancylostomatidae family , which affect the small intestine. Of course, the immediate appearance of certain measures requires the appearance of such a parasite in the animal's body as the hookworm. In cats , as in humans, such a disease is treated primarily with the use of special drugs.
Parasite description
In length, a thin hookworm nematode (A ncylostoma ) in some cases can reach 21 mm. In the oral capsule of each such worm there are two rigid horny plates with three hooked teeth at the edges. The eggs of this parasite containing blastomeres are gray in color and oval in shape. Their dimensions are approximately 0.06x0.05 mm.
A worm that has settled in the small intestine begins to actively feed on the animalās blood. In the oral cavity of the hookworm, among other things, a secret is also developed that prevents it from folding. Therefore, the wounds left by the parasites continue to bleed for a very long time.
Hookah females are much larger than males. These parasites feel very well not only in air or in soil, but also in water. Even the larvae of this parasite usually migrate only during rain.
Both cats and dogs can affect hookworm infection . In the first case, this disease is usually caused by worm species such as Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Ancylostoma braziliense. Sometimes infection of cats occurs with the ācanineā variety of hookworm - Ancylostoma caninum. Especially often, such worms infect, unfortunately, young animals.
Infection pathways
Appear hookworm in cats in the body may be due to improper feeding or during a walk. Infection occurs most often :
Larvae that enter the body of an animal through food or drink remain in the small intestine and immediately begin to develop rapidly. They reach puberty in about 2 weeks after infection.
The larvae that penetrate the cat's body through the skin, first with a blood stream enter the trachea. Due to the irritation of the latter, the cat, of course, begins to cough. As a result, the larvae first enter the oral cavity of the animal, and from here - into its small intestine. With this method of infection, hookworms reach puberty only on day 18-22. Most often, infection of cats with this type of nematode occurs, unfortunately, through the skin.
Among other things, a feature of class A ncylostoma worms is that they can infect, among other things, the fetus in the womb. In dogs, for example, this happens quite often. However, in cats, cases of infection of the fetus in the uterus in the mother were recorded, fortunately, there have never been. This is primarily due to the behavior of the worm inside the animal.
Indirect symptoms of the disease
This is how the hookworm appears in cats (a photo of this worm can be seen on the page) in the body. It is possible to accurately diagnose the presence of a parasite in these animals, as in any others, only in laboratory conditions, in a veterinary clinic. The infection of A ncylostoma caninu m is determined primarily by analyzing the feces of the animal for the presence of parasite eggs . However, this disease, of course, has indirect symptoms. These include:
lethargy and lack of appetite;
constipation or diarrhea;
weight loss
poor condition of the hairline;
vomiting.
Very often, feces of cats infected with anchovies become dark tarry. At the same time, bright red inclusions can be noticeable in feces. The latter are blood from wounds left by parasites in the intestines.
Ankylostomy in cats, the symptoms of infection of which are expressed in many cases quite clearly, sucking the blood of an animal, for obvious reasons, can cause anemia as well. Therefore, if a pet is suspected of being infected, among other things, gums should also be examined. In diseased cats, they usually turn pale and become dull.
Also, if infection with A ncylostoma is suspected, experts advise careful examination of the cat's paws. When an animal enters the body from grass or soil, the parasite leaves long, non-healing wounds on the skin. In kittens, symptoms of hookworm infection may also be a developmental delay and dullness of the coat.
Features of the course of the disease
Behavior and a nkilostom in a cat in the body is somewhat less active than in a dog . That is why these animals never have intrauterine infection of the fetus. However, hookworms can penetrate into the mammary glands with blood flow, including in a cat. In this case, newborn kittens will be infected from the mother through milk.
Parasite development cycle
So, we found out what the hookworm in cats is and what it looks like . An infected animal alone can contain several hundred females of these dangerous worms . At the same time, parasites lay several thousand eggs daily . After some time, the last ones enter the environment with the feces of a cat. After about 1-3 weeks , larvae emerge from the eggs, which can live in soil without a carrier for a very long time.
Features of the development of the parasite
Worms that enter the intestines of a cat first begin to feed on its tissues. Also, the larvae can "graze" on the mucosa. The parasites do not cause particular harm to the cat's body during this period. However, after a few days, the larvae grow up and begin to feed directly on the blood of the animal. At this time , the first symptoms of infection with such a parasite, such as hookworm, appear in cats. A photo with the names of the stages of development of the larvae (picture) can be seen just below .
In small kittens, the disease is a little different than in adult animals. The first external signs of infection in them usually appear even before the parasites reach puberty and eggs appear in the feces.
Treatment features
So what do owners need to do when detecting the presence of a parasite such as hookworm in cats? Photo of these worms of an inexperienced person, of course, can even scare. The nematodes of this group look really frightening. However, the category of incurable diseases and nkilostomidoz, fortunately, still does not apply. It is quite possible to rid an animal of parasites even in a short time. To do this, you just need to choose the right method of treatment.
In a veterinary clinic, a patient with an osh is usually prescribed special antihistamines, and they also develop a special supportive diet for her . Animals infected with hookworms lose weight very quickly. Therefore, their menu must include products containing a large amount of protein.
The presence in the body of a cat of this type of nematodes, as already mentioned, almost always leads to anemia. Therefore, in the diet of a sick animal, among other things, include products containing iron. In the most severe cases, when it is not possible to eliminate acute anemia with the help of products and medicines, even a procedure such as a blood transfusion can be prescribed to a furry patient.
Ankylostomy in cats: how to treat with drugs
From drugs, the veterinarian usually prescribes to the animal universal remedies designed to destroy cestodes and nematodes. In this case, practically any drug of this purpose can be suitable.
Worms in a cat (hookworms are no exception in this regard) are most often treated with agents made on the basis of:
pyrantel;
praziquantel;
milbemycin.
In most cases, drugs such as Fenbendazole and Mebenvet are used to treat cats. The course of treatment with the first variety is 5 days. The animal is given a tablet once a day. The drug "Mebenvet" cat is also treated for 5 days. But they give her two tablets a day.
How to give the drug
They take any medications, including for worms, cats, as you know, are not too eager. Therefore, in order to feed your pet with a prescription drug, the owners will most likely have to resort to tricks.
First of all, the cat should be wrapped in a jet unnecessary sheet. Next, put on your hands thin rubber gloves. Then, carefully open the cat's mouth and put a pill just below the root of the tongue. At the same time, it is worthwhile to ensure that the animal does not damage the glove with its teeth. At the final stage, the owner of the cat should, of course, wash his hands thoroughly under running water with soap.
Sometimes the owners also grind the tablets prescribed by the veterinarian into powder and mix them into the catās food. But a similar method is still better to use only if the remedy is offered to the animal as a prophylactic. Actually, in the treatment of a nkylostomidosis, the owner must be completely sure that the medicine has fully entered the body of a sick animal.
Precautionary measures
Thus, the reader is now aware of the main pathways for the appearance of such a parasite as hookworm in cats. The treatment of this disease should, of course, be done correctly. But it is equally important when carrying out it to observe all necessary personal precautions. Unfortunately, hosts can catch parasites from a sick pet, unfortunately, very easily.
The hookworm in cats is also transmitted to the owners in several ways. The owner of an infected animal can become ill even by stroking it and not washing his hands after that. Also, parasite larvae can live in the animalās tray, on its litter and in its bowl.
In the country, people often become infected with nkilostomidosis during various earthworks. Larvae can also be swallowed with unwashed fruits. It is not necessary for the owners of a sick animal to walk barefoot in the yard. Larvae can easily enter the bloodstream through the feet.
In a city apartment, in order to avoid infection, a sick cat should definitely allocate its own corner. The litter of a sick animal must be periodically changed. The old mat can be washed (separately from other things). But itās better to use any unnecessary old rags as bedding for the sick cat and just throw them away when changing.
Prevention
Curing a nkilostomidosis in a cat is thus not particularly difficult. However, it is much easier, of course, to prevent this disease. Prevention of hookworm infection is primarily in the regular procedures for deworming cats. The frequency of administration of antihistamines to animals should, of course, be determined by a veterinarian. Usually, funds intended for the expulsion of worms are given to cats for preventive purposes once a year. Young animals for the first time such a drug is prescribed at the age of six months.
Interesting fact
Sometimes there are a lot of worms in a cat's body. In this case, oddly enough, the nematodes simply begin to crush each other. The result is a somewhat paradoxical situation. In severe cases, the feces of a cat may contain fewer eggs than the feces of a freshly infected animal.
Instead of a conclusion
So, we found out what exactly is an hookworm in cats (photos and treatment, infection routes and symptoms). Thus, the first thing the animal owner needs to do when the first signs of infection appear is, of course, to consult a veterinarian. Unfortunately, only a specialist can carry out an accurate diagnosis of this disease. The vet clinic doctor will not only do all the necessary tests, but also prescribe the most appropriate treatment for the cat.