Cat Worm Symptoms - Your "I'm Not an Idiot" Guide to Recognizing the Symptoms of Cat Worms

By Kate Rieger

Read this guide and your cat will thank you for recognizing cat worm symptoms before these parasites do her long term harm. There are several types of parasitic worms that can infest your cat like: lungworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and cat heartworm. There's plenty of synthetic parasiticides on the market, but you can opt for a natural approach to treating cat worms.

Some cat worm symptoms can be pretty darn obvious, like when kitty vomits an enormous load of half digested breakfast along with something that looks like short spaghetti. Chances are you're looking at roundworms.

Other times, the problems caused by cat worms aren't as obvious. Perhaps your cat is wheezing - you may think she has asthma or a cold. Every year veterinarians are presented with thousands of cats showing all the signs of a respiratory illness. In fact, a microscopic exam of your cat's feces may indicate the presence of lungworms in her respiratory tract. The presence of lungworms will cause her to exhibit symptoms similar to asthma, but the proper remedy is much different than the treatment for asthma.

If you just adopted a kitten or an adult cat, its a pretty sure bet she came pre-loaded with cat worms. If you haven't made it to the vet for a final diagnosis, monitor her stools in the litter box. A black, tarry or even bloody stool is a sure sign of a hookworm infection. Take her in to your vet for a reliable diagnosis.

Cats that have an advanced case of roundworms may exhibit cat worm symptoms including serious diarrhea, frequent vomiting or both. Blood may be present in the the diarrhea and vomit. The poor creature is trying to expel these bloodsuckers naturally. Unfortunately, the persistent diarrhea dehydrates her. When she vomits she ends up swallowing some of the regurgitated roundworms.

All cat worms are parasites; they suck blood. Cats and kittens are candidates for anemia. The most tragic health threat is an impacted intestinal tract - your kitten's intestines packed with a mass of roundworms. Young cats are particularly susceptible to an intestinal perforation when this mass moves about.

Tapeworms aren't as devastating to your cat's health as some of the other parasites. You can recognize these cat worm symptoms too. Take a look at her anal area. She's probably showing it to you 2 or 3 times a day during your petting sessions. Seize the moment. Do you see small, white, rice-like segments? Well, its not rice - its a segment of tapeworm.

A cat infected by a cat heartworm may be gagging, coughing, have difficult breathing or vomiting. Or she may show no signs of cat worms - she may suddenly drop dead.

So here's your "I'm Not An Idiot Guide To Recognizing To Recognizing Cat Worm Symptoms"

Your cat is exhibiting one or more of these symptoms...

1. Coughing, wheezing or problems breathing;
2. Vomiting a batch of white, short spaghetti-like casings;
3. Gagging;
4. Frequent bouts of vomiting;
5. Diarrhea;
6. Black, tarry stools;
7. White, rice-like casings sticking around her anal area

Its likely your vet will suggest a topical or oral synthetic treatment for purging cat worms. However, many cat owners are opting for more natural treatments using herbal remedies like Artemisia absinthinium (also called Wormwood). This herb is widely used in homeopathic practices to treat cat parasites. Consider it as a viable option to rid your cat's parasites and free her of debilitating cat worm symptoms.

Kate Rieger has been owned by 15+ cats and is a champion of spay and release for her feral cat neighbors. She is partnered with the Kentucky S.N.I.P clinic and together they provide affordable solutions for pet owners. Never one to be short on opinion, she is on good behavior during her speaking engagements at local organizations where she spreads the word about natural alternatives to helping cats live long lives and teaching owners how to treat cat worm symptoms with natural remedies. Drop by and pick up a free copy of her eBook '111 Things You Don't Know That Could Harm Your Cat' that shows you how to protect your cat from conditions that could injure your cat. Pick up a copy and protect your cat today.