Medications for treating hookworms in humans

Heartworms are rarer in cats but can cause serious harm to your cat's heart and lungs. But not all cats with heartworms exhibit behavioral changes You may also notice that your cat has a lower appetite. 'The most common behavioral change is less energy or more grooming around its rear end,' Nichols says. Heartworms don't show up in your cat's stool or vomit which is why it's important to see your vet once a year to screen for heartworms, says Jess Nichols, DVM, Chief Veterinarian at the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City. Hookworms feed on blood from the cat's small intestine and can cause anemia and weight loss. They are a small form of roundworm that can damage the lining of your cat's intestine. Hookworms have a ribbon of brownish-red down the body and a hooked shape. Hookworms look like shorter spaghetti noodles, measuring about two inches long. Your cat may not show any symptoms of tapeworms, but in some cases, there may be vomiting and weight loss. Tapeworms tend to be more common in older cats and cats that hunt. Tapeworm segments look like dried grains of rice or flat white sunflower seeds, and are often moving or crawling around the rectum. Roundworms may not cause any symptoms, but major infections can cause vomiting, weight loss, or a pot-bellied appearance. They infect the intestines and are the most common worms found in cats. Some of the most common worms that infect cats are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and heartworms. Each type of worm has a different size and shape, Nichols says. You may also be able to see worms in your cat's stool or vomit. But in some cases, your cat may show symptoms of a worm infection including: 'Healthy adults may not have symptoms from worms, which is why your vet tends to recommend periodic fecal testing,' McNabb says. Here's what you need to know about how cats get worms and what to do if your cat is infected.

That's why it's important to get regular checks from your vet and take steps to prevent and treat worm infections. Worms are not always dangerous, but severe worm infections can damage your cat's intestines, cause weight loss, or even lead to death in kittens. Your cat may show symptoms of worms, such as vomiting - but not all cats exhibit signs of a worm infestation. 'Worms are common, especially in kittens, newly adopted cats, and cats who spend time outdoors,' says Amanda McNabb, DVM, a veterinarian in private practice. In fact, as many as 45% of cats have worms at any given time.

Medications for treating hookworms in humans