Sores and Bald Patches on Your Cat: Top Reasons & What to Do

wound care with close up of bandage on a cat

Does your cat have patches of fur missing and sores on its skin? As vets we see this surprisingly often – but the good news is it’s often very treatable. Read on to learn about the most common causes and what you can do to help. What are the top reasons for sores and bald … Read more

Worms in Cat Poop – With Pictures & Veterinarian Advice

Worms in cat poop

A cat’s poop (also known as stool or feces) can tell caregivers and veterinarians a lot about their health. Pet owners may be alarmed to find worms (most often white worms) in their cat’s poop. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are the most common intestinal worms in cats. Pet owners must be aware that intestinal worms … Read more

Cat Worming Schedule-When To Worm Your Cat

Cat worming schedule

Parasitic worms are an extremely common parasite in cats. There are several types of worm that commonly affect cats which include:

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Toxoplasmosis in Cats and Humans

Cats and toxoplasmosis

What is toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It infects multiple warm-blooded animals including humans, livestock, and birds (all of whom act as intermediate hosts). Cats are the only definitive hosts to T. gondii, which means that the parasite is only able to sexually reproduce in felines (both wild and domesticated).

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Tick Paralysis in Cats

Tick paralysis in cats

What is tick paralysis?

Tick paralysis is a common and life-threatening emergency caused when a tick injects neurotoxins into its host. Hundreds of species of tick exist worldwide, and as many as 40 species are capable of producing paralysis.

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Threadworm (Strongyloides) in Cats

Threadworm in cats

What are threadworms?

Also known as pinworms, threadworms (Strongyloides) are small worms which live in the small intestine, they are around 1/8 to 1/5 of an inch long. [1] There are several dozen species of threadworms, cats are most commonly affected by Strongyloides stercoralis. Threadworm is a rare infection in cats, and humans are believed to be a major source of infection for cats with S. stercoralis. [1]

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Tapeworm (Cestodes) in Cats

Tapeworm in cats

Tapeworms at a glance

  • What are tapeworms? Tapeworms are flat, segmented worms with hooks that anchor the worm to the wall of the small intestine, where it feeds on nutrients the cat ingests.

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Feline Scabies (Notoedric Mange)

Feline scabies

What is notoedric mange?

Also known as feline scabies, notoedric mange is a rare but highly contagious and intensely itchy skin disease caused by the mite ‘Notoedres cati‘. Notoedres cati is found worldwide. While rare, they affect cats of any age, breed, and sex.

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Lungworm in Cats

Lungworm in cats

What are lungworms?

Lungworms are slim, hair-like nematodes that live in the lungs of mammals. The two most common species to infect cats are Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (feline lungworm) and  Capillaria aerophila (Eucoleus aerophilus) (feline and canine bronchial capillarid).

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Cat Worms – Types of Worms to Infect Cats

Roundworms in cats

Cat worms at a glance

  • About: Parasitic worms can infect cats, the most common are tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm and heartworm.
  • Transmission: This varies from worm to worm but can include fleas, hunting and contaminated environment.
  • Diagnosis: Most worms can be diagnosed by the presence of eggs in the feces. A blood test is used to detect heartworm larvae in the blood.
  • Treatment: Anti-worming medications are used to treat most worms. Heartworm treatment can be dangerous, and in most cases, supportive care is given.

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