+ How do cats become infected?
Cats can become infected in many ways, including hunting and eating rodents, raw meat, fleas or from other cats who are infected with worms shedding eggs into the environment.
The most common symptom of intestinal parasites is diarrhoea. However, infections with other worms such as lungworm and heart worm, symptoms such as breathing issues, or collapse, may occur but only when the infestation has become severe.
+ How often do I need to worm my cat?
This depends on your cat. In general young cats, and more active cats, need to have a product that is able to protect them all year round, generally a monthly treatment becuase they are more inquisitive and thus susceptible to picking up parasites. An indoor, sedentry cat is less likely to be exposed to worms outside of the home but other elements of your, or their life may alter their risk profiles. Discussing with us your cat’s lifestyle, we are able to guide you to the most effective preventative parasite program.
When investigating potential endoparasite infections in not obvious cases, we may ask for faecal samples for various tests, as well as running full blood screens. These tests help us identify if adult worms are present in your cat, and how far the effects of the worm burden may have gotten, whilst also looking for the protozoal parasites and bacteria that may also be causing diarrhoea. On rare occasions, infection with hookworms may lead to an anaemia that requires management alongside other treatment.
If you have any concerns your cat may have worms or other endoparasites then come to us and we may advise how to help.
+ What conditions does it help with?
- Diarrhoea
- Hookworm
- Roundworm
- Whipworm
- Tapeworm
- Heartworm
- Lungworm
- Giardia and tritrichomonas
+ How long does the treatment take?
Simple treatment may be carried out in a consultation. More detailed discussion could take two, whilst investigations and treatment may need more time.
+ How many visits are required?
Simple cases can be managed with 2 visits. The first to assess and treat, the second to follow up and make sure everything has responded as we believe they should.
+ How much does it cost?
Routine worming treatment costs can vary depending on size of dog. Subscribers to our Wellness Subscriptions get 50% off the list price!
