Parasites (Worms ) in Cats

 You Just Got a Cat What You Should  do First ?

Many of you when got a cat don’t really know what to do first .Should you vaccinate them or give them anti parasitic medications .💊 

The first and most important thing is to get rid off the endoparasites and ectoparasites .They can be very harmful and also many of them are zoonoses , which means they are harmful for humans too.

If you notice that your cat has pale gums, is having trouble breathing or vomiting or not eating .You should get them to the Vet.

Types of Worms in Cats

The most common types of worms in cats are gastrointestinal worms. They include:

Roundworms are the most common type of intestinal worm in cats, specifically in kittens. Roundworms are 3 to 6 inches long, cream-colored, and resemble spaghetti when found in the stool.

Hookworms are tiny, thin, white worms. They are so small ,most people do not notice them on the cat’s stool. If you do see them, they look like tiny, thin strings. Hookworms get their name from their hook-like mouthparts and aggressive bloodsucking behavior,they attach themselves to the lining of the intestines and suck blood.

Whipworms are 2 to 3 inches in length with one thicker end and one thinner end, resembling a whip, hence their name. Whipworms are not easily seen in the stool and are diagnosed only under a microscope.

Tapeworms occur when a kitten or cat eats a flea while grooming or eats a rodent infected with tapeworm eggs. Tapeworms look like grains of rice and are found around the anus or in a cat’s stool.

Other worms in cats 

• Hartworms
• Lungworms 
• Bladderworms
• Liver Flukes

Symptoms of Worms in Cats

Symptoms of worms in cats may vary. You can usually determine the type of worm based on your cat’s symptoms:

• Diarrhea or loose stool you may see worms in the stool
• Vomiting (worms may be seen in the vomit)
• Distended abdomen
• Weight loss thin body condition 
• General unhealthy appearance dull hair 
• Pale gums (hookworms only)
• Trouble breathing and Coughing can be seen if worms migrate to the lungs (hookworms, roundworms)

How Cat get Infected with Worms 

Most kittens are infected with worms while nursing their mother, when they ingest tiny worm larvae directly from their mother’s milk. 

Worms in cats typically occur when worm eggs are ingested. This can happen when a cat licks their fur after exposure to a contaminated environment or when they eat an animal infected with the worm or its eggs.

Hookworm larvae can penetrate directly into the skin between the toes, causing skin infections.

Treatment of Worms in Cats

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are treatable with oral and topical medications, and sometimes injectable formulations, prescribed by your veterinarian.

Some worms in cats are killed with a single treatment. Other worms require multiple dosages of a medication given on a strict schedule over a certain period.

It’s important to carefully follow the directions provided by your vet !

How often should you give anti parasitics to Your  Cat?

Kitten Deworming  Schedule :

Start deworming a kitten between 4-6 weeks old

Then again at 8 weeks old

And again at 12 weeks old

Deworm every 4 weeks until 6 months old

And after every 1-3 months depending on lifestyle

To ensure your feline friend is healthy, you’ll need to clean (deworm) them regularly .

Do Indoor Cats Need Deworming?

All cats need consistent deworming no matter where they live.

Fleas — potential tapeworms carriers — can enter homes by riding on clothing, people, or other pets. When indoor cats groom themselves, tapeworm transmission can occur by accidentally ingesting an infected flea. Similarly, mosquitos can easily enter homes through screen doors and windows, where they can then bite pets and transmit hartworms.

How to Deworm (clean) a Cat

Go to the vet .They’ll be the best source of information about the dosage of dewormer ,how to give it to your and on what timeline.

 

What to Expect After Deworming a Cat

Anti-parasitic products typically take between two and four days to take effect. In some cases, a second dose is also required. The worms should be gone in-two to three weeks after giving a medication. A second deworming might be needed a few weeks later to eliminate all the worms because the medication affects life cycle stages differently.

Side effects of Cat’s Anti-parasitics 

Anti parasitic medications are quite safe and rarely have side effects when used at the correct dose. However, some cats might have diarrhea, vomiting, increased salivation, or decreased appetite. These symptoms are typically seen within 24 hours of administering the medication and should resolve on their own.

Prevention 

In veterinary medicine prevention is a key to keep your pet healthy.

Cat’s anti parasites products only treat the current infection. Prevent future infestations with a monthly preventative medications. 

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM 🐾

3 Cat’s Incurable Virus Infections

 

The most famous feline virus infections are

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

During my practice as a veterinarian in these cases ,we used to said to our pets parents or  that we can’t do anything or that we can do very little for their loving ones.

But now time is changed ,now maybe we can do some certain things. In this article i will explain how to recognize these conditions and how can you help to your pet.

How to Recognize These  Diseases 

The signs all vary ,but they are all having a chronic suppressed immune system and it varies as to which organs are affected. In all diseases you can see weight loss, severe dental disease (gingivitis), chronic poor skin, cancer (lumps, enlarged lymph nodes), ongoing diarrhea, recurrent fevers. In FIP you see inflammatory tissue cells all throughout the body. The organs may fail, fevers develop, and fluid accumulates in the chest or abdomen. FIP cats are often thin cats with large distended abdomens.

Causes Of Illness 

FIV is caused by deep bite wounds that occur during fighting. It is similar to the Human AIDS virus, although signs may not occur for more than 5 years after infection.

Mutation of Corona virus causes FIP ,begins in gut .FIP the coronavirus leaves the intestinal tract, and causes other organs to be attacked by the immune system. FIP is not contagious – most cats never get FIP even though Coronavirus is common.

Feline Leukemia Virus is caused by a virus spread through by the saliva of infected cats, via blood (cat fights) and via mother to fetus in pregnancy. Most infected cats eliminate the virus and become immune. In those cats that do not develop immunity, the virus spreads to the bone marrow.

What  are the Solutions 

If your cat has some serious, chronic ongoing diseases, then have your vet test and rule out these infectious diseases. Unfortunately, nothing we give will cure your cat of these diseases, but we can do a lot in extending your pet’s quality of life. It is important to not spread the disease to other cats, and know how to prevent it with your other cats. If you have a FIP/FeLV or FIV positive cat, then I would advise testing your other cats for this disease, and vaccinating them with FeLV or FIV vaccine. FIP is not contagious, so there is no reason to use that vaccine.

Alternative Medicine 

Probiotics 

These are the beneficial bacteria that support the immune system, and they are particularly important to potentially help prevent, and manage a cat with any of the infectious diseases. One cat study on FIV said this:

'...These results suggest a novel role for FIV in upregulating transcellular transport across the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier and demonstrate the potential therapeutic use of probiotic bacteria to restore intestinal homeostasis.'

Quercetin  (beneficial flavonoid found in apple peel)

Boston University School of Medicine study shows a link between a nutrient-dense diet rich in quercetin plus other antioxidants and a lowered risk of cancer. Quercetin seems to have potential chemo-preventive activity and might have a unique antiproliferative effect on cancerous cells, making it an effective addition to any natural cancer treatment approach.

Colostrum

This is mothers 1st milk, and now increasingly being looked at for it's immune supportive properties. A great option to consider for a cat with any of these diseases (or even help prevent them). Bovine colostrum (BC) has attracted the interest of numerous researchers investigating its anti-cancer potential.

Safe, minimal side effects, good supplement option. Doses of 100mg/10lbs daily.

Cannabinoids 

CBD and the other cannabinoids may be beneficial for a cat with FIV/FeLV or FIP. Here is what one review article said:

'…Since they play important roles in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, endocannabinoids (ECS) have emerged as a cell regulatory mechanism involved in protection against cancer development.'   Standard CBD dose of 3mg/10lbs once-twice daily.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS are considered pharmaconutrients

Preventive: low levels of EFA’s in mammary tissue increase chance of serious cancer 

Studies show that people who consume the most omega-3s have up to a 55% lower risk of colon cancer. One study in particular showed impressive evidence for using Krill Oil. Krill oil extract suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis of human colorectal cancer cells

MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS.

Turkey Tail Mushroom: Used conventionally in Japan for over 30 years for many types of cancer, esp colon cancer. Safe, limited/no side effects, works with chemotherapy drugs. Animal dose of 100mg/10lbs twice daily.

Reishi Mushroom. If your cat has lymphoma, maybe you should use REISHI mushroom. The studies showed that this is the most beneficial medicinal mushroom for Lymphoma. The Reishi dose is 100mg/10lbs once-twice daily.

Artemisinin 

Artemisinins are a unique class of antimalarial drugs with significant potential for drug repurposing for a wide range of diseases including cancer. Artemisinins have an excellent safety and tolerability profile as well as being affordable.

A good option to consider for pets with cancer. Cat doses: 30mg/10lbs once-twice daily.

Panacur . (Fenbendazole). 

Panacur for Cancer. This is an old veterinary dewormer, that is very safe for cats, and showing to be helpful for some people, and some animals with cancer. Dosing regimen of Panacur. 50mg/kg 3 days on/4 days off for 30 days, if working continue for another 90 days or 10mg/kg once daily. I would use this on my cat with FeLV/FIV or FIP

 These are the methods  that you should try if your cat is diagnosed with these three deathly incurable diseases. It will not cure your cat but certainly can with appropriate healthy food ,improve their quality of life .

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM 

The best Antibiotic’s alternatives for your pets

Antibiotics are solving many health problems in our pets . And in certain situations are inevitable .But the thing is they have their side effects, and in many cases now they don't work like they did  before.In people we can see a lot of antibiotic resistance.  

People more and more are running to more natural solutions. 

Antibacterial properties 

If we want to take some natural remedies we need to build up our pet’s immune system.

Boosting their immune response is a key ,but how ? 

Taking antibiotics alternatives like :

GREEN TEA & HONEY.

These 2 in combination are very effective antibacterials, and have been shown to be beneficial against the most common bacteria causing UTI’s in dogs.(E.coli and Staph) Cup of green tea with tablespoon of honey.

Give your dog twice daily for 10-14 days a half of cup .

Coconut Oil. Current research shows that coconut oil may help to decrease plaque buildup on teeth and reduce inflammation to fight gum disease. Numerous studies document coconut oil’s antibacterial properties. Topical use is best.

Propolis. Also known as Bee Glue- it has impressive antibacterial properties, and comes with virtually no side effects. A good, safe, ‘natural’ antibiotic. It can be given orally at 100mg/day orally 

Garlic- It has many proven benefits, but most important is the antibacterial properties. Safe for dogs in proper doses- 1-2mg/ twice daily of Garlic tabs.

Olive Leaf Extract- From Olive tree leaves. Used for years for it’s antibacterial properties. Doses of 100mg/per day.

PROBIOTICS

It turns out that probiotics have some very impressive antibacterial properties, but it’s very important which one .You need to use the right ones, and at high enough levels.

The microflora plays an important role in the immune system of the intestinal tract. In particular, early microbial exposure significantly affects gut microbiome formation and immune modulation, which affects to intestinal diseases. Probiotics regulate adaptive immune responses by modulating the functions of dendritic cells, macrophages, and T and B lymphocytes.

Probiotics are good for :

Decreasing itching in allergies, treating FLUTD in cats, boosting immune function, diarrhea/vomiting/IBD help, improved markers in diabetes, and even acting as a natural anti-anxiety remedy. They are also good for gut infections ,wound pathogens ,killing infectious bacteria , UTI ,gingivitis/dental disease.

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM