01. Types of hookworms
There are two common types of hookworms that can infect cats, Ancylostoma and Uncinaria. The subspecies include the following:
A. ceylanicum – infects cats, dogs, golden hamsters and humans, found in Asia and Australia
A. braziliense – infects cats, dogs, and occasionally humans, common in tropical and subtropical regions of America and Asia
A. tubaeforme – cat-specific hookworm, distributed worldwide
U. stenocephala – infects cats, dogs, foxes and humans, common in cold and temperate climates, including the United Kingdom
02. Mode of transmission
The eggs enter the environment through feces. Within 2-5 days (depending on environmental conditions) these eggs hatch into infectious larvae, at which point they can be transmitted to cats.
Skin penetration: The cat passes through an environment with larvae, and the larvae can enter the cat’s body through the skin, and then migrate to the intestines, where they grow up.
Ingestion: Can become infected through grooming, drinking water, eating contaminated food, etc.
In utero: Hookworm-infected bitches can transmit larvae through the uterus to the kitten. cat, it’s not clear.
Milk: One of the very common ways in which hookworms are spread in dogs. cat, it’s not clear.
Once the cat is infected with the larvae, the larvae enter the small intestine and then hang on the wall to mature. Mature hookworms lay eggs in large numbers, which are excreted in the feces. Eggs can remain active in the environment for a long time.
03. Symptoms of infection
The severity of a hookworm infection depends on the severity of the infection and the type of hookworm. Some cats may also have no symptoms.
Black tarry stools
Pale gums due to anemia
diarrhea
Coat loses luster
Skin irritation (especially feet)
Weight loss
Stunted kitten
04. Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Veterinarians will diagnose hookworms by fecal flotation. A cat’s stool sample is mixed with the solution, and any eggs in the stool float to the surface, which can then be viewed under a microscope.
Many anthelmintics have the effect of killing and preventing hookworms. At present, I recommend Chongqujing, which has good palatability and high cost performance.
Daily preventive measures include the following points
Regular use of deworming medicine, it is recommended to deworm once a month.
Even to clean up the feces in the litter box.
Do not allow cats to be outdoors as much as possible.
Deworm the female cat two weeks before breeding.
05. Other FAQs
Do indoor cats need hookworm treatment?
Answer: Need
Can cat hookworms infect humans?
Answer: It can be infected. However, after infecting the larvae, the larvae cannot grow into adults in the human body. Often die in the epidermis of the skin.
How long does it take to get rid of hookworms in cats?
Answer: Most anthelmintics have obvious effect on adult worms, but average effect on eggs. Infection is confirmed, and after one dose, another dose is required two weeks later.
Can a dog-specific hookworm medicine treat a cat?
Answer: No. Some ingredients are harmful to cats.
