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Toxocara (Roundworms) Toxocara are small intestinal parasites more commonly known as roundworms. These can infect cats through the ingestion of infected mammals or birds (through hunting activities), or by spread from queen to kittens prior to weaning. Roundworms have a 2-3 week life cycle and during this cycle the larvae will migrate from the intestine to the lungs and liver before developing to the adult stage in the intestine. Roundworm infection is generally much more serious in kittens than in adult cats and may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal enlargement, occasionally coughing (from lung migration of larvae) and pneumonia. Many cats with mild infections will show no clinical signs. Treatment can be easily carried out using effective drugs such as fenbendazole. There are many poorly effective drugs marketed for worming both dogs and cats, please check with your veterinary surgeon that the treatment you intend using is effective. Kittens should be wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age and adult cats every 3-4 months throughout life. |
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