Hookworms are some of the most harmful parasites that your cat should never have. Hookworms are parasites found in the intestines of living things. They mostly live in the digestive system of your cat. They commonly attach themselves to the wall or the lining of the intestines. And they feed on your cat’s blood. Transmission happens by ejecting the eggs into the digestive tract. These are then passed to the environment through the feces when the cat excretes.
They are so harmful to the host, as they can cause many complicated health problems. This then calls for the treatment of your cat against these parasites.
How do we treat hookworms in cats?
There is medicine specifically made for treating worms in all living things. Common brands being used worldwide are:
☑️ Albendazole and
☑️ Mebendazole
These drugs are best known to treat hookworm infections. These infections take a period of between one to three days to treat. These drugs are very effective in treatment. There are very few side effects associated with using these drugs.
There are a few more drugs that are used to treat hookworms, but they are less effective in operations. They are also laden with side effects that can take a toll on the health of the cat.
Can hookworms cause death to the host?
Hookworms are known to be very dangerous. Their larvae have the capability to penetrate and damage internal organs such as the intestines, kidney, and liver. They can even penetrate the eyes where they can cause complications, with the most severe being known to cause blindness. It is not, however, a common phenomenon. It is also avoidable by preventing contact between the skin of the host and a moist surface, where hookworms are known to love. Hookworms survive mostly in moist areas.
Avoid this deadly worm by always deworming your cat.
How do you know that your cat has hookworms?
By keenly observing your cat, it is easy to tell whether it is suffering from worm infections or not. One of the most common signs of hookworm infestation is itching. If your cat is itching in one localized area, it could mean that the larvae have penetrated the skin. This can be told too by the presence of rashes.
If your cat has been heavily invested, it may experience some common symptoms. They include frequent vomits, appetite loss, fatigue, and even weight loss.
When you notice such, then it means that your cat has an underlying problem that needs to be investigated. The outcome will almost be definite: the presence of hookworm in your cat.
What amount of time does it take hookworms to die after treatment?
Hookworms can be stubborn and may refuse to die at first treatment. You will, therefore, need to treat your cat more than once for effective treatment. Once you have administered the drug to your cat, it should take at least 24 hours for the hookworms to die. However, there are those which may not die in the first instance. Similarly, there are larvae that are born and very young at the time of first treatment. These may escape death in the first instant. It is therefore highly recommended that you treat your cat for the second time in the third or fourth week. This will help eliminate any remaining hookworms in your cat.
Once you are done with the two ingestions, you will, therefore, need to treat your cat on a regular periodic time so as to fully avoid them contracting hookworms again.
How can you prevent hookworms from your cat?
Can hookworm infections be prevented? Yes, they can, however not fully practical. The most you can do is to minimize the risk of being infected by:
Making sure that your cat does not walk out in areas where there are feces. Drinking safe treated water. Avoiding contact with hookworm infected cats. Eating healthy food. Get the help of your vet.
Conclusion
Hookworms are very destructive creatures. They can mess up the health of your cat. The good news is that they are treatable and avoidable. Do not let your cat stay for more than three months before deworming. This may expose them to many other kinds of worms.
There are many brands of drugs that treat these worms. However, others have preference over others due to effectiveness and minimum side effects. Give your cat a happy life by keeping it worm free, won’t you?
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Saundra J. Graves is a housewife. I love to keep my cats happy always. Also, I want to make sure another person takes caring their cats and kittens. Stay with my personal blog to know caring tips and reviews of cat & dog food, other products also.