Redditch, Worcestershire -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/15/2011 -- Worm infestations are common in household pets and can cause pets to feel ill and become distressed. Some worms (roundworms) can also be passed onto humans, this is when they are accidently eaten, usually through people licking their fingers after playing with their cat or using plates that cats have just licked. There are three types of worm that can infect cats. These are roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms.

Roundworms live off the contents of the cat’s gut, effectively eating the cat’s food. They are also able to move around the gut freely and can grow up to 100m in length. Symptoms that may appear in cats which are infected with roundworm include: weight loss, diarrhoea, vomiting, a dull coat and lethargy. Most infected cats within the UK become infected with either Toxocara Cati (cat roundworm) or Toxocara leonina. Tapeworms, like roundworms, live inside the cat’s gut. However, instead of being able to move freely around the gut, they attach themselves to the intestinal wall. Tapeworms can grow to 500mm in length and look like long flat ribbons. The most common form of tapeworm that infects UK cats is Taeniaeformis (mouse tapeworm). Hookworms live off the cat’s blood and are a growing threat as many foxes are now infected with hookworm. The symptoms that cats infected with hookworms may display include: diarrhoea, anaemia, weight loss and a lack of energy.

Cats can catch worms in several different ways. Although, the main ways in which cats can become infested with worms is through fleas, hunting and contaminated soil. In addition to this, cats can become infected with worms through their mother’s milk.

There are a variety of cat wormers on the market to help eliminate worm infestations. Worm treatments come in a variety of forms, including tablet, liquid and spot on treatments. Liquid and spot on treatments are useful for cats that dislike taking tablets. The spot on wormers, such as Droncit Spot On Tubes For Cats, are especially useful in these cases, as they just need to be applied to the back of the cat’s neck and the active ingredient is then absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. UK-based online veterinary pharmacy, has a range of different wormers available from brands such as Bob Martin, Droncit, Panacur and Johnsons.

Cat wormers are really important to make sure that your cat does not contract a serious worm infestation and become ill and distressed. It is important to make sure that they are suitably treated, in order to prevent reinfection.

Contact
Emilie Cook
Vetpharmacy
18 Oxleasow Road
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 ORE
Email: admin@vetpharmacy.co.uk
Tel: 0800 0241 329