Internal Parasites in Kittens

Contents:

• Types of worms
• Signs of worms in kittens
• Worming kittens
• Preventing worms in kittens

Worms in kittens – Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

What type of worms do cats get?

Kittens and cats are at risk of several types of worms, including intestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms), heartworms and lungworms, some of which can cause serious or even fatal disease.

Roundworms in Kittens

Roundworms are the most commonly found intestinal worms in kittens. These long, pale worms reside in the small intestine and are often described as resembling strands of spaghetti. Kittens can become infected by ingesting roundworm eggs from contaminated environments or by eating infected prey such as birds or rodents. Transmission can also occur through their mother’s milk during nursing.

Signs that a kitten may have a roundworm infestation include vomiting, diarrhoea, a pot-belly appearance and coughing. Roundworm eggs are passed in the faeces of infected cats.

If roundworm eggs are accidentally ingested by a human, the parasite can migrate to internal organs, including the eyes, known as ocular larva migrans. Young children are considered most at risk as they are more likely to play in contaminated areas where cats have been such as sandpits, and place things in their mouths.

Hookworms in Kittens

Hookworms attach to the lining of the small intestine and feed on blood with their sharp mouthparts. Cats become infected via ingestion of larvae from a contaminated environment, by larvae penetrating the skin, or via milk when suckling as kittens.

A hookworm infestation in kittens and cats may result in weight loss and in severe cases, anaemia due to blood loss. Signs are usually most severe in kittens and can be fatal.

Hookworm eggs are passed in the faeces of infected cats. The eggs hatch and the larvae can also infect people by penetrating the skin (e.g., if walking barefoot on contaminated sand or soil). The larvae can then migrate through the skin resulting in itchy and inflamed skin lesions. Hookworm infections in humans can also result in a more serious condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

Tapeworms in Kittens

Cats’ natural behaviours of grooming and hunting put them at risk of tapeworm infection. In Australia, two key tapeworm species affecting kittens are the flea tapeworm and the cat tapeworm.

Tapeworms require an intermediate host to complete their lifecycle. Kittens become infected with the flea tapeworm by ingesting fleas that carry flea tapeworm larvae. Infection with the cat tapeworm occurs when kittens hunt and consume infected small mammals.

Heartworms in Kittens

While cats are not typical hosts of heartworm (unlike dogs), they can still become infected from the bite of an infected mosquito. Cats usually mount a strong immune response, which prevents most heartworms from reaching adulthood. However, the immature worms and the resulting inflammation can still cause serious lung disease, and in some cases, heartworm infection may lead to sudden death.

Lungworms in Kittens

The cat lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) lives in the lungs of infected cats and kittens. Infection occurs when a kitten ingests an infected intermediate host such as a slug or snail, or when they eat another animal—like a rodent, bird, or lizard—that has consumed an infected slug or snail.

Signs of a lungworm infection may include lethargy, depression, weight loss, sneezing, nasal discharge and breathing difficulty.

How Do I Know if My Kitten Has Worms?

The signs of worm infestation can vary based on the type of worm involved and the age of the kitten. Some kittens may show obvious symptoms, while others may appear completely normal. That’s why regular worming and veterinary check-ups are so important, even when no signs are visible.

Sometimes worms can be seen in cat poo but more often, your vet will need to examine your kitten’s faeces looking for eggs or larvae to diagnose an intestinal worm or lungworm infestation. As heartworm is not an intestinal worm, we cannot identify an infection from cat faeces. It is difficult to diagnose a heartworm infestation in cats, and blood tests and even an x-ray or ultrasound may be required.

How Often Should a Kitten Be Wormed for Ongoing Protection?

For intestinal worms, it is recommended that kittens should be dewormed fortnightly from two weeks of age to eight weeks of age (or two weeks after weaning).* Veterinary and human infectious disease experts also recommend monthly deworming of all cats older than eight weeks of age to reduce environmental contamination and minimise zoonotic risk (the transfer of diseases from animals to humans).*

NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-On for Cats is a monthly parasite treatment that can be used in kittens from 8 weeks of age and 0.8 kg bodyweight. It provides the most complete protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, lungworm and intestinal worms (including tapeworms), all in one easy, monthly application.

How Do I Stop My Kitten from Getting Intestinal Worms?

Ways to help protect your kitten or cat from worms include:

• Regular deworming: Monthly deworming is recommended by human and veterinary infectious disease experts for all adult cats.*
• Clean environment: Keep your kitten’s living area clean by frequently disposing of faeces, changing litter, and washing bedding and toys.
• Regular vet checks: Get personalised recommendations and establish an effective parasite control program tailored to your kitten’s needs.
• Prevent hunting: Supervise your kitten if they spend time outdoors. Fulfill their hunting instincts by providing toys which mimic prey.

See product label for full claim details and directions for use.

*Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines.