There are terrible worms that affect both the cat owners, other pets, and cats. Some of them include Hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm, and heartworms. Regular screening for parasitic worms is necessary for your cat. As you want to deworm your kittens, also take the pain of finding out when you should.
In this article, we will be looking into a few tips that can help you achieve this.
1. Screen Your Cat
You will not miss identifying the actual worms when you check the feces of your cat. Do you know that Tapeworms, while they develop, have segments? These segments can be found in your cat’s stool if it is infested with it.
Parasitic worms cause bowel bleeding and runny stool. One way to screen for parasitic infestation is by checking for this sign. When you see the worms in your cat’s stool, pick them one by one and go to your Veterinarian.
In sickness, animals tend to vomit. But the content they let out determines what kind of illness your cat may have. If an adult worm vomits, it is an infestation. Worms also cause cats to vomit.
Learn to observe your cat. Once you start to notice an unusual protrusion of your cat’s stomach, then it most likely is an infestation. This unusual infestation may cause unexplained weight-loss in your cat.
It is an urgent case when your cat struggles to catch its breath, and it can be a sign of a worm infestation. These worms also make your cat appear pale because they suck their blood.
Who else should know the kind of worms affecting your cat, if not you? Here are some types of worms that can affect your cat: Tapeworms from flea bites, Roundworms from infected feces and milk, Hookworms, Lungworms, and the most notorious; the Heartworms from mosquito bites.
Don’t try to play Doctor for your cat because you can’t! Take your sweet cat to the Veterinary Doctor who is the expert, and get it treated.
2. Be Your Cat’s Hero! Treat Your Cat
Now that you’ve visited your Vet, you’ll have the right prescriptions for your cat. Use them as you have prescribed by following the treatment religiously.
Your cat’s response to medications is unique. There’ll be adverse reactions, usually vomiting and stooling. Don’t let this alarm you, talk to your Vet.
There are common drugs for deworming your cat. The drugs should be given as it is age-appropriate. E.g., Selamectin, Pyrantel pamoate, milbemycin oxime, etc. These drugs would handle Hookworms and Roundworms.
Drugs that can handle tapeworms are Epsiprantel and Praziquantel.
Follow through with your appointment.
3. Administering the Prescribed Medication
Don’t scare your cat with the medication bottle. Relax, prepare the medication into the prescribed oral syringe, and let your cat warmly walk into your arms to take them. The following are the steps to follow:
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Your cat is Queen. Calm her down, and she will take her meds.
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Gently wrap up your cat in a warm towel keeping in its hands and legs.
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Place the cat on your lap.
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Gently tilt the head of your cat upward and backward.
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Calmly, while your hands are making a grip to open its mouth, place the oral pill into its mouth, and if it’s a liquid med, put it in one side of the cheek.
It’s not just enough to give the cat the medication but also to effectively have it swallowed.
In other to help your cat swallow the medication, shut its mouth, tilt its head upwards, and rub its throat all in a gentle process.
Your job is not just to make sure your cat gets the pill but also swallows the medication. So, repeat the process above until the medication has been satisfactorily swallowed.
After this process, give your cat a pat on the back or a treat for being a good kitty. Your cat will be good next time.
4. Prevent the Worms
This is the most cost-effective thing to do. Consult your vet, and make sure that you constantly give preventive meds.
You are the defender and protector of your cat. Weigh the options. Should my cat stay indoors, or should it stay outdoors where the chances of getting infected are high?
Environmental sanitation is key if you must protect your sweet cat from fleas. Use an environmentally safe spray outdoors to control them.
Don’t allow feces to remain around your cat to prevent spreading the parasite. Clean and clean if you love your cat.