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Fleas are the most common nuisance and parasite affecting cats, and an infestation can lead to serious health problems. Flea control requires a three-pronged approach; they need to be eliminated from 1) your cat, 2) any other cats and dogs that you have, 3) your home and yard. There are many flea control products available and your veterinarian can help you determine which are safest and most effective for your pets.
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Fluralaner is given by mouth or applied topically and is used to treat flea and tick infestations, and also off-label to treat certain types of mange and mites. Give as directed. Side effects are uncommon but may include stomach upset or neurologic symptoms. Do not use in pets with a history of seizures. If a negative reaction occurs, please call the veterinary office.
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Harvest mites, also known as red bugs, trombiculid mites, scrub-itch mites, berry bugs or, in their larval stage, as chiggers, are mites commonly found in forests and grasslands. Larval stages affect warm-blooded animals and cause a very itchy skin reaction.
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Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are blood-borne parasites that reside in the heart or nearby large blood vessels of infected animals. Veterinarians now strongly recommend that all cats receive year-round monthly heartworm preventives.
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There is no drug approved for treating heartworms in cats and surgical removal is generally the best option. Veterinarians now strongly recommend that all cats receive heartworm preventative.
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Hookworms are intestinal parasites of the cat and dog. Their name is derived from the hook-like mouthparts they use to anchor themselves to the lining of the intestinal wall. They are only about 1/8" (two to three mm) long and so small in diameter that they are barely visible to the naked eye.
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Imidocarb dipropionate is an injectable medication that is administered by a veterinarian to treat babesiosis in dogs. It is also used off-label to treat other protozoal infections in dogs, cats, and horses. Most common side effects include mild drooling, tearing, vomiting, or nasal drip. Do not use in pets with exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting drugs, pesticides, or chemicals. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Platynosomiasis is a disease caused by a parasitic worm called a liver fluke. It affects cats in tropical and subtropical regions. The lifecycle is complex and involves several hosts. Cats can become infected by ingesting lizards or amphibians that have the larval stages of the fluke. The flukes live in the bile ducts and gall bladder of affected cats, causing symptoms of liver disease.
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Lung flukes are parasitic worms (trematodes) that infect cats’ lungs after they have eaten an infected crayfish or rodents that have eaten infected crayfish. Infected cats can be symptom-free or may develop cough with sometimes bloody mucus, pneumonia, pneumothorax, lethargy and weakness.
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In North America, many parasitic lungworms infect cats. Cats can become infected by swallowing infective stages of parasitic lungworm. The exact means of becoming infected varies according to the life cycle of the particular parasite. Signs can include coughing, heavy breathing, wheezing, sneezing, poor appetite or anorexia, weight loss, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and ocular or nasal discharge, and may be more prominent in kittens due to their immature immune systems. Although the success rate of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and the number of parasites present, the prognosis for recovery is generally good.