Hookworms in cats : Causes, symptoms and treatment

Hookworms in cats are intestine parasites that are quite common. There are some species of hookworms that influence cats and some can also affect humans by drifting within the skin. Hookworms have teeth which they use to fasten themselves to the intestine wall and feed off the swarm’s blood. The blood loss can cause diarrhea, intestine bleeding, anemia and even death. They are thin, small worms about ½ to ¼ inches long. They are most common in areas of humidity and high temperature.

How cat gets hookworm

Hookworm swarms are always caused by ingestion or by larval diffusion of the skin. They are usually found in dirty water or impure environment. Hookworm in cats is hut through the feces and passed into filth, where it normally migrates into the body through the feed when it walks on the infected earth, litter or sand. Kittens will normally obtain this state from their mother’s milk.

Symptoms of hookworms in cats

Hookworms can cause any of the following symptoms, though symptoms may just emerge with serious infections;
· Diarrhea
· Bloody or tarry tools may be seen
· Weight lose or failure to gain weight
· Anemia (weakness, play gums) can be present
· Skin irritation, mostly on the feet between the toes, because of migrating larvae
· Sometimes coughing can happen because of the larvae migration through the lungs

The graveness of disease depends on the type of hookworm involved, as well as the quantity of worms and the health and age of infected cat.

Treatment for hookworms in cats

To dispose of the hookworms, a deforming treatment will be given to your infected cat to expel worms or to kill them. Sometimes that is all will be needed. Nevertheless, dietary and medications may also be essential. For kittens, treatment should start at three to four weeks of age and treated monthly after that.
With pregnant cats, treatment should start two weeks after reproduction and continue until two to four weeks after the kittens are born to dispose of potential worms in the intestine, and to shield the kittens. In serious cases, the cat or kitten will require to be admitted in hospital for blood transfusion, fluid therapy and supplemental oxygen according to the harshness of the anemia and the situation of the cat. Be cautious, there is a prospect of unexpected death even with the treatment.

Preventing drugs for hookworm in cats

Products for the treatment of hookworms in cats are available and that includes frontal feline, home pet worm cleaner and Heartgard30. More than one treatment may be required to get rid of the problems.
Other preventions;
The atmosphere where your cats sleep and alleviate themselves must be kept hygienic. Pay special concentration to the amassing water in low-laying areas, containers and even ponds. If you detect any of the above signs or symptoms in the cat, take a
tester of fecal matter to your specialist so that the infection can be established and excluded swiftly.

There are no immunizations for hookworm parasites, so the only way you can shield your cat is by being attentive and acting rapidly. Though, hookworms cases are fewer in humans, the parasites can enter human skin through cats, so care must be taken while giving treatment to your infected cat. Hookworms in cats can be dreadful and deathful. So, be careful and protect your cats from hookworms.