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Cat Hookworm: What You Should Know
Parasites, such as cat hookworm, are a common cat health problem. In all, there are four, or possibly three (sources seem to disagree), types of hookworm that use cats as hosts. The feline hookworm is Ancylostoma tubaeforme. Ancylostoma braziliense is the canine and feline hookworm, and Uncinaria stenocephala is known as the northern canine hookworm. The canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum, is said by some sources to only infects foxes, possibly human, and of course dogs. Other sources include it in the list of cat parasites.
Risks of hookworm -- Critical risk factors include hygiene and environmental factors. Outdoor cats are more likely than indoor cats to contract the worm, and this is the case with most parasites. Cats that roam and hunt are always at higher risk. The worm may be more prevalent where sanitation control issues and overcrowding exists, such as certain shelters. Frequency of infestations may be higher in warmer climates, as hookworms typically enjoy warm, moist environments. U. stenocephala, however, is more common in colder weather.
What they do to your cat -- In contrast to roundworm, which swim freely in the cat's intestines, the hookworm will anchor itself to the cat's intestinal wall and suck blood from the tissue. In order to ensure a constant supply of blood flow and nutrients, they inject an anti-coagulant at the feeding site to keep the blood from clotting. Clever, huh? One of the problems that can occur is that if the hookworm moves its feeding location, the old location may continue to bleed into the bowel. All this blood loss results in anemia.
Signs and symptoms of cat hookworms -- In kittens or cats in ill health, the anemia caused by the blood loss is usually more serious than in otherwise healthy adults. In rare, but severe cases, a blood transfusion may be required, and there may be a risk of death. Hookworms in your cat may cause any of the following symptoms: anemia, weakness, pale gums, poor coat, black tarry stools, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss. Infected kittens may also exhibit stunted growth.
Methods of transmission and lifecycle -- An animal can become infected by ingestion of larvae. This can be through contaminated water or soil, or by eating an infected transport host (such as when a cat eats a rodent). Larvae can also infect your cat by penetrating the skin (usually the feet). In addition, infected mothers may pass the disease on in their milk.
Cat hookworms have a direct life cycle, meaning that they can be transmitted without a host. Many other parasites require a host.
Adult hookworms hook themselves to the intestinal wall and begin feeding. They pass microscopic eggs into the bowel of the cat, which ultimately end up in the cat's stool. The eggs hatch and develop into larvae (immature worms). The Centers for Disease Control state that under the right conditions of moisture and temperature, eggs can develop into the infective larvae stage in as few as five days. Time varies, though, and this process may take up to three weeks or so. According to most sources, the larvae can exist in the soil and remain infective for many months.
When infection starts via skin penetration, the larvae will migrate via the circulatory system to the lungs. They will then make their way up to the throat, where they are swallowed. Once in the intestine, they may mature and begin producing eggs, and the cycle begins again.
Prenatal infection through transplacental blood flow before birth occurs in dogs, but has not been established to occur in cats. Some sources state that kittens may become infected through infected milk from a a queen, but others state that this has not been proven.
Cat hookworm treatment and diagnosis -- Healthy cats may show few, if any symptoms in less severe cases. For this reason, cats should be tested yearly for worms. Hookworm eggs are microscopic, so you'll have to rely on your vet using a microscope to examine your cat's stool. Typically, kittens are treated for hookworm during their vaccination series, whether or not they test positive. In order to completely cure a cat of a hookworm infection, at least two treatments of deworming medication are needed. Typically, treatments are administered at 2 - 3 week intervals.
Article Source: ArticleZones.com
About the Author
Kurt Schmitt, an experienced cat owner, publishes the website for cat lovers keeping you informed about cat hookworm and other cat health issues.
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