Parasites are creatures that live in or on your cat. Parasites in cats can be external, so live on the surface of the cat's body (on skin, in ears or on hair). They can also be internal. Internal parasites live inside the cat's body, typically in the intestines.

However, some parasites can also reside in a cat's liver, stomach, intestines, heart, lungs, brain, bladder, eyes, and other parts of the body. Some parasites only affect cats in certain parts of the world.

External Parasites in Cats

Here are some of the most common external parasites in cats:

Fleas

Fleas are the most common parasites in cats. Adult fleas lay lots of eggs in your cat's fur. The eggs fall off and after a few days hatch into maggot-like larvae that hide in your carpets, in cracks in the floor or in your cat's bedding.

The larva spins a cocoon, and an adult flea develops inside it. Later, the adult flea hatches and crawls off in search of food. If it can't find a cat, it will hop onto any warm-blooded animal that passes by, including humans!

Immature fleas can live for over a year before they develop into an adult and can reinfest your pet, which is why it's important to treat your house, as well as your cat.

Mites

Mites are tiny insects that live on or in your cat's skin. Some mites prefer specific parts of the body, like the cat ear mite. Demodex mites live in hair follicles. Other types of mites include Sarcoptes, Notoedres, Cheyletiella and harvest mites.

Mites are common, and small numbers often cause few signs of discomfort. But heavy infestations can be very itchy and uncomfortable. Some cats may be allergic to mites, so they react to even small numbers of them.

Internal Parasites in Cats

Now we know about the most common external parasites targeting kitties, what are the most prevalent internal cat parasites?

Roundworms

These resemble spaghetti and are common parasites in cats that cling to the lining of the intestine. Some species of roundworms don't just affect your cat's intestine, though; they can also affect other organs. Roundworms can grow up to 15cm long!

Tapeworms

Tapeworms resemble flat ribbons and are composed of segments. Cats may lick or eat tapeworm segments when grooming themselves or another cat. They can also get tapeworms from fleas!

Immature fleas pick up infection from the environment and may carry the immature form of tapeworms. If an animal accidentally swallows a flea while grooming, the tapeworm can develop inside the cat's gut.

Once inside your cat, the tapeworm continues to grow and may reach lengths of up to 60 cm. If you have seen fleas on your cat, you should treat them with a product recommended by your vet to remove tapeworms, as well as get on top of flea control.

Lungworms

Transmitted to cats by slugs, snails, cockroaches, amphibians, rodents and birds. Adult lungworms live in the blood vessels close to the cat's heart. The adult worms lay eggs inside the blood vessels. These hatch into larvae, which burrow through the blood vessels and into the lungs.

The cat then coughs up the larvae and swallows them. The larvae then pass out of the body in your cat's faeces, which slugs, snails, etc, then eat. Other cats become infected if they then eat the infected slug/snail, and so the cycle continues.

Other types of worms in cats include:

• Whipworm
• Hookworm
• Heartworm

Toxoplasma gondii is a tiny single-celled parasite, sometimes known as the cat brain parasite – more on this below.

Symptoms of Parasites in Cats

Cat parasite symptoms depend on the part of the cat's body that's affected. For example, tapeworm segments may be released and seen as small white blobs or grains of rice moving near your cat's bottom. These may be itchy, and so you may notice them licking, scratching or rubbing their bottom.

If a kitten has a large number of roundworms, they can cause a physical blockage of the intestine, resulting in significant pain. You may notice your kitten being withdrawn, uncomfortable and off their food. Kittens with worm infections often have a pot-bellied appearance.

Worm Infections in Older Cats

In older cats, worm infections may cause no symptoms at all, but you may notice worms or bits of worms in their poo when you clean out the litter tray. You may even notice worms stuck to the fur around their bottom.

Some worms cause vomiting/diarrhoea. But sometimes, the only symptom you notice may be weight loss; your vet may pick up other symptoms when they examine your cat.

For example, worms feed off your cat's blood, so cats may become anaemic. If this is the case, your cat will have pale gums, so your vet will do a blood test to check whether they're anaemic.

Fleas are always itchy, but some cats are allergic to flea spit, causing severe itching. Meanwhile, cat lungworm causes coughing and breathing problems.

Symptoms of Heartworm in Cats

Dirofilaria immitis, also known as the cat heartworm, is transmitted between cats by mosquitoes. It's probably more common than we realise, as many infected cats have no symptoms of disease.

Symptoms that may be noticed are breathing problems of varying degrees of severity. Treatment options depend on the severity of your cat's illness and can range from no treatment to surgery to remove the worms.

Toxoplasma and Cats

Cats infected with Toxoplasma often won't show any symptoms of disease. However, in the early stages, they may show symptoms such as tiredness and loss of appetite. In the later stages, symptoms may be more severe including breathlessness, jaundice, blindness, changed behaviour and even paralysis due to damaged eyes and brain.

Cat Parasite Treatment

There are lots of different cat parasite medications available, but it can be hard to know which one to choose. It's best to speak to your vet, as they'll be able to advise which product is best for your cat (and your budget).

Several factors must be considered when selecting an antiparasitic product. For example:

• Geographic location and local environment.
• Whether the cat is an indoor or outdoor cat.
• Whether family members are at risk due to immunosuppression, age, or other factors.
• The individual cat's health status.
• Any medications they're already on.
• Known sensitivities to medicines.

Can Cat Parasites Affect Humans

The common roundworm found in dogs is a rare but potentially serious cause of disease in humans. The larval stages of this worm burrow through the gut wall and become embedded somewhere within the body. They can cause serious damage if they end up in the eye, for example. There are occasional reports of patients, usually children, being blinded in one eye.

However, the type of roundworm normally found in cats is much less likely to cause problems in humans, and most of the parasites found in cats are unable to survive in people.

Can Toxoplasma gondii Affect Humans?

The major exception to this is Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite can affect many animals, but is particularly problematic for cats and people. In both cats and humans, its effects are usually mild, and the parasite is easily kept under control by the body's natural defences.

However, in pregnant women, there's a higher risk, as the parasite may cause severe damage to the unborn baby. It also affects people with a weakened immune system. It can sometimes be fatal.

Up to six out of ten cats have been infected with Toxoplasma at some stage. It's more common in stray cats than pet cats because they're more dependent on hunting for their food.

In most cases, the infection is harmless, there are no symptoms, and it only lasts for a couple of weeks. But in some animals, usually kittens and young cats, the immune system is weak, and signs of disease may develop. Cats can recover if treated promptly.

Feline Toxoplasma in Humans

One in every two people will be infected with Toxoplasma during their lifetime. Toxoplasmosis usually causes brief flu-like symptoms in humans, but can cause serious problems if a woman comes into contact with it for the first time she's pregnant. It may even cause her to lose her baby, or her child may be born with damage to the eyes or brain.

Toxoplasmosis can also be dangerous for people whose immune system is weakened by immunosuppressive illnesses or following cancer or organ-transplant treatment.

Most people are infected by eating raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurised dairy products or unwashed vegetables. But care should also be taken to avoid accidental contact with contaminated cat faeces.

Any woman who is pregnant or hopes to become pregnant in the near future should take extra care. They should ask someone else to clean out the cat litter trays, or, if this isn't possible, wear gloves and wash their hands thoroughly. 

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis

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