Are worms transmitted from cats to humans? Types of cat parasites.

Pets, cats and dogs, bring not only joy to the family, but also problems, in particular, the danger of infection with parasites. Can a person get infected with worms from a cat? - Definitely can.

Even if your pet does not leave the apartment, she can still become infected with worms, and your child will be the first to receive such a “gift” from her. Let's figure out what kind of worms felines get sick and which of them are transmitted to humans.

What to do in such a situation? To get started, we recommend reading this article. This article describes in detail the methods of dealing with parasites. We also recommend contacting a specialist. Read the article >>>

Types of worms transmitted to humans

In the feline body, helminths live, which are divided into two groups:

Roundworms or hookworms. Long and thin, like pasta, their body length can be up to 80 cm. Of course, such long worms will not fit in the intestines of a cat, but they will take root up to 10 cm. Nematodes are divided into 3 classes and 30 orders (according to the classification from 2011) and are the causative agents of various diseases in cats and humans.
Tapeworms or cestodes. Belong to the class of flat parasitic worms, about 4000 species are currently described.

The following parasites are dangerous to humans:

Wide tapeworm (cestodes);
Cucumber tapeworm (cestodes);
Toxocaras, roundworms (nematodes).

Diseases caused by nematodes

Hookworms are parasites that are found in tropical and subtropical climates much more often than in ours.

They destroy the intestinal walls, prevent blood clotting. They penetrate the human body through the skin, causing itching, redness and burning. Parasitizes in the intestines of cats and humans. Adults are capable of provoking the formation of ulcers in the intestines, leading to blood loss and intoxication of the body.

Toxocariasis is a disease that affects children from 1 to 4 years old. A person can become infected with it by eating food and water contaminated with sick animals. The most common form of intestinal toxocariasis.

Dangerous diseases caused by cestodes

The most dangerous diseases (for humans) include:

Dipylidiosis, the causative agent of which is cucumber tapeworm. The disease is characterized by allergies and impaired digestive functions.
Teniosis, although it belongs to the group of neglected diseases, according to the WHO, it should be mentioned. The onset of the disease is provoked by the presence of pork (bovine) tapeworm in the intestines of the cat. Once in the human body, teniasis causes intestinal upset, provokes attacks of pancreatitis and the development of cholecystitis.
Echinococcosis, the causative agent of which is the larval stage of echinococcus (cestode). The danger of echinococcosis is that it is characterized by the formation of parasitic cysts in the heart, abdominal cavity, biliary tract, lungs, kidneys, liver (in 70% of cases of infection), spleen, brain, spinal cord. True, the last three types of infection are very rare (0.2-1% of the total mass).
Diabotriocephalosis or diphyllobothriasis. The causative agent is a broad tapeworm, characterized by pathological phenomena on the part of the digestive system, circulatory and nervous systems.

The most common disease is dipylidiosis, which occurs in 70-80% of cats and their owners.

What types of helminths are most dangerous to humans

Ascaris

This type of worms is referred to as round worms. The life cycle takes place without the participation of another organism. Ascaris larvae enter the human gastrointestinal tract, then enter the lungs with blood flow, after coughing up into the pharynx, where they are swallowed. Once again in the intestine, they settle in its thin section. Here they become sexually mature and can produce a huge number of eggs. Cause a disease called ascariasis.

After infection, there are no symptoms for 1 to 2 months. Then a person presents general complaints, such as: pain in the head and abdomen, lethargy, decreased appetite, fatigue, pruritus, fever, dyspeptic disorders. With such a picture, ascariasis can be easily confused with a host of other diseases.

Echinococcus

The species is referred to as tapeworms. Causes disease echinococcosis. It is dangerous, first of all, because it runs for a long time without any symptoms. The developmental cycle of a parasite involves a change of host.

Symptoms depend on where the echinococcal cyst will develop, and which organ it, increasing in size, will squeeze. Usually found during routine examinations. Lung and hepatic tissues are more often affected. Treatment is radical - surgical removal of the bladder in which the parasite develops. Otherwise, the cyst will mature and burst, splashing out a mass of larvae into the bloodstream.

Pinworms

They cause enterobiasis. Having penetrated into the gastrointestinal tract, they attach in the small intestine. Here their further maturation takes place within 2-3 weeks. After the matured adult parasites grow and multiply rapidly. To do this, females crawl out to the skin surrounding the anus at night and leave eggs. When scratching this area, a person becomes re-infected.

In addition to itching, the main symptoms are: urinary incontinence, restless sleep, increased fatigue, teeth grinding during sleep.

Hookworm

Roundworms. For humans, 2 types are dangerous: Necator and Duodenale. They are able to stay in the human body for up to 20 years. Human infection occurs directly through the skin. The larvae gnaw it and, entering the bloodstream, circulate throughout the body until they enter the intestines. Since it is abundantly supplied with blood, and the parasite feeds on blood, the latter grows up and becomes capable of leaving offspring. From the moment it enters the bloodstream to the moment of sexual maturity, an average of 30-40 days pass.

Itching is felt at the site of penetration into the skin. The larva can also carry other diseases such as tuberculosis and anthrax. The main characteristic of hookworm disease is anemia, in which the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood decreases. Previously, it was even called the anemia of miners. They were sick most often, since the larvae live in the ground.

Dyspeptic disorders may also accompany - diarrhea, vomiting, malabsorption, hypovitaminosis. A huge number of eggs are excreted in the feces into the external environment. Here larvae hatch from them. They can live in the ground for a long time. You can get infected even after barefoot walks on bare ground.

The larvae (filaria) of these two types of hookworms are dangerous to humans and cats. Other types of hookworms do not survive in the internal environment of a person, but they thrive in cats or dogs. Hookworms can be especially harmful to pregnant women. Filariae can enter the uterus and make their way to the fetus through the placenta, thereby infecting it. Worms can be transmitted with breast milk.

Toxocars

Numbered as roundworms. Outwardly it looks like a roundworm. Cause toxocariasis. Toxocara mystax (cati) can be transmitted from felines to humans.An adult parasite lives in the stomach or intestines, excreting eggs in the feces.

Signs of damage depend on the number and stage of development of the worm. May be asymptomatic. The visceral form of the disease is more common, in which a large number of parasites circulate in the blood. They affect vital organs: heart, lungs, liver. In addition to the usual symptoms of parasite infestation, enlargement of the liver and lymph nodes can be noted. With a protracted nature and the absence of treatment, anemia joins.

Ways of entry of worms into the cat's body

It is worth starting with how cats become infected with helminths. For example, it is quite easy to catch toxocariasis (the causative agent is feline toxocara). Toxocara eggs are so light and small that they freely travel the world along with dirt and dust. The dust settles on the cat's fur, the animal licks itself, swallows it and is ready. The main danger of toxocara is that parasites are able to penetrate into any organs of the cat, and if treatment is not started on time, the pet may die.

Domestic cats can contract toxocariasis by eating raw meat or fish, and the owner is able to bring parasite eggs on outdoor shoes, along with dirt.

The animal receives opisthorchiasis by feeding on raw river fish. In a sick animal, the gallbladder is affected.

A cat becomes infected with a cucumber tapeworm by swallowing a sick insect. Fleas are carriers of dipylidiosis, and the cat can become infected by licking and swallowing them. Cucumber tapeworm parasitizes the intestines of the animal, it is not fatal, but weakened cats and small kittens can get complications in the form of a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract or an allergic reaction.

The broad tapeworm enters the body of a cat when it eats contaminated food, such as fish. The parasite reaches 10 meters, but rarely grows more than 2 meters in the feline body.

Ways of infecting cats with parasitic worms

How do domestic cats become repositories of dangerous worms? According to veterinary research, parasites enter the body in several possible ways:

Infection of kittens from mother... Migrating roundworm larvae with blood flow through the placenta into the body of the embryos. Here, some of them lie in the muscles and internal organs, and some enter the intestines and develop to an adult state. Accordingly, hormonal release, stress or disease can activate the dormant larvae. Infection of newborn kittens is possible by sucking milk of a carrier cat and performing hygienic procedures for the offspring.
Direct contact with a host relative... An intimate acquaintance, a game or a fight, as well as banal sniffing, rubbing with muzzles and mutual licking, can trigger a reaction of transfer of parasitic worm larvae from a sick animal to a healthy one. Those pets that are allowed to walk on their own are at the greatest risk of infection, and feral and stray cats are the reservoir of infection.
Contact with soil and objects seeded with worm eggs... The embryonic stages of worms are surprisingly tenacious and can survive for months in water and moist soil. A frosty winter is a limiting factor for the spread of infection, while thaw, heat and an abundance of moisture turn out to be favorable for the life cycle of helminths. Cats walking in nature are at risk of infection by stepping on the ground, grass, sand, sniffing urine marks and wiping themselves with wool where a sick cat has walked or relieved. In the process of licking, the larvae caught on the wool are swallowed and enter the digestive tract.Domestic animals in this regard are more protected, but an "unpleasant gift" can be brought from the street in the form of a flower bouquet, land for flowerpots, garden vegetables and root crops. Perhaps a long journey of the larvae of helminths and on the shoes of the owner.
Feeding raw fish, meat and offal containing worm larvae... Many parasitic worms have a complex development cycle and use other animals as intermediate hosts. Accordingly, parasites can enter the body of cats in an appetizing "meat package" under the pretext of eating. Freezing raw meat for 24-48 hours is not a guarantee of getting rid of the worm larvae. Raw freshwater fish and animal entrails are especially dangerous in this respect.
Catching and eating murine rodents... Mice and rats have long been considered carriers of dangerous infections, including helminthiases. Arranging a hunt and saving the master's property from pests, cats run the risk of picking up a whole list of diseases from non-sterile prey.
The presence of ectoparasites... It is known that fleas can carry some types of worms. Licking themselves and fingering wool with their teeth, cats swallow fleas, providing the larvae of helminths with a full development cycle.

Ways of transmission of worms from cat to person

Feline parasites are transmitted to humans in the following ways:

Through direct contact with a cat. The owner often strokes the pet, allows her to lick herself, sleep on one pillow. An infected cat, licking its fur, leaves microscopic eggs of parasites on it, and after visiting the toilet, the pet does not wash its paws. Cat feces are an excellent breeding ground for helminths, whose eggs remain on the pads of the animal. Once on the owner's bed, the cat touches it with its paws, thereby transferring the eggs of parasites and infecting the owner.
In the absence of basic hygiene after contact with an animal. Few will go to wash their hands after stroking their pet that is not walking down the street. The cat is domestic, clean, but it can also become a source of infection with helminths. And after contact with a stray cat, you just need to wash your hands. A child can become infected with worms from a cat by stroking a sick animal and, without washing his hands, send dirty fingers into his mouth.

And yet, a person can get chlamydia from a cat. Although, this disease is not helminthic and the risk of infection is minimal, it is necessary to briefly talk about it.

Feline chlamydia is a disease that affects the mucous membranes, respiratory organs, digestive and reproductive systems.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis is most common, accompanied by discharge from the eyes and their redness, nasal congestion, and wheezing. The owner may not even guess that the cat has a serious illness, if it proceeds in a lethargic form.

If the owner noticed that the cat sneezes often, and the nose seems to be stuffed up, it is necessary to urgently consult a veterinarian. Fighting chlamydia is not easy, as this disease is between viral and infectious.

Where to go if you suspect worms

At the first characteristic symptoms, you should visit your therapist. The hospital will carry out a number of manipulations, analyzes and draw up a plan for further actions, if the diagnosis is confirmed.

Useful video

Video about under what conditions a person can become infected with worms from pets:

In conclusion, I would like to note that the current level of development of medicine does not leave worms a chance for survival in our body. The main thing in their deliverance is timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. But still the best preventive measure is the observance of personal hygiene and preventive treatment of the cat. Guided by such elementary rules, you can not be afraid to keep these fluffy and cute animals at home, next to you and your children.

How to tell if a cat has worms

General signs of infection with helminths look like this:

The cat begins to "roll" on the priest, wiping it on the floor.
The pet dramatically loses weight despite the fact that the appetite remains the same, and the portions of feed have not changed.
The animal often has constipation, intertwined with diarrhea.
Bloating is common in kittens, especially in stray babies. But even adult cats are not immune from bloating, accompanied by a rumbling in the stomach.
The darling becomes apathetic and lethargic, loses interest in games, moves little.
Very often, infection with worms is accompanied by vomiting.
One of the key signs of the presence of larvae in the body is a characteristic cough. It occurs after sleep, the cat coughs vigorously, trying to throw something out of its body.
Sometimes animals' temperature rises by 1 - 1.5 degrees.

If the owner noticed these signs in his cat, you should play it safe and contact your veterinarian.

Nematodes (pinworms)

Nematodes are also a common type of worm in cats. These parasites feed on substances dissolved in the animal's blood and can cause anemia. The defeat of the animal's body by nematodes causes a fatal disease and is especially dangerous for small kittens. Adult cats may develop immunity to parasites, and then the obvious signs of infection may not appear.

Symptoms of parasitizing this type of worm in domestic cats can be: bloody clots in the stool, diarrhea and associated abdominal pain. These worms in cats are transmitted orally to humans.

How not to get infected with worms: prevention

In order to reduce the risks of infection of a cat with worms, the following measures are taken:

Regular treatment of a pet from helminths using appropriate means. This is done every three months, regardless of whether the cat is completely domesticated or sometimes walks outside.
Every six months it is worth showing your pet to a veterinarian.
Do not feed the cat with raw meat, river fish, monitor its nutrition.
It is imperative to treat the cat from fleas, this is done twice a year - in spring and autumn.
Clean the litter box daily. Change the filler, and rinse the tray itself thoroughly with hot water and soap.

The owner himself should observe the following rules so as not to get infected with worms from a cat:

Wash hands after contact with a pet.
Teach children to hygiene, stroked the cat - wash your hands.
A person's bed is not a place for a cat. She should have a separate bed on which she rests.
Prevent the cat from licking its owners and family members.
Eliminate contact with stray animals, at least do not touch them.

And it is also necessary to maintain cleanliness in the house and regularly wash shoes, on which the larvae of worms can remain, especially in the autumn-spring period.

How does a cat become infected with worms?

Even everyone's favorites, who do not leave the house at all, can become infected with helminths. The main ways of infection of a cat:

Worms can easily be infected from flies, fleas, mosquitoes, rodents.
Raw fish or meat can lead to this ailment.
On the street, you can easily pick up the eggs of worms, as they are in the reservoir, and on the grass, and in the ground.
Contact with an infected animal can make your cat sick.
Newborn kittens can get sick from an infected mother in the womb or with breast milk, that is, if the cat was not proglistogenic before mating and before giving birth, then the babies have a 100% guarantee that they are infected.
A person can bring eggs to the house on clothes, shoes, or hands.

Treatment

Infected cats are given anthelmintic drugs. They can be in the form of tablets, suspensions or drops on the withers.

When starting to treat an animal, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the veterinarian, the dosage of the drug, and also make sure that the cat swallows the pill if it comes to such a dosage form.

Tricks to give your pet a pill:

Grind the medicine and then mix with spider or cat pate.
Crush the tablet, mix with a little water and, using a syringe without a needle, inject the drug into the animal's mouth.
Divide the tablet into several small parts, wrap the cat in a blanket. Open the pet's mouth with your right hand, put part of the tablet on the tongue with your left hand. Quickly close the cat's mouth and make sure she swallows the medication.

Toxocars

Long roundworms can reach 4-18 centimeters. The habitat and at the same time the organs that they affect are the esophagus, gallbladder, liver and intestines of a poor animal.

Infection occurs in utero or through the oral cavity. Ill, cats suffer from severe malnutrition, accompanied by vomiting, chronic diarrhea and lack of healthy appetite. Toxocars in the organs of a small kitten grow and multiply so quickly that they can even rupture the small intestine.

Treating a cat for worms at home

If you are sure that the cat has worms, the veterinarian should still prescribe the treatment, and you will be required to strictly follow all his instructions. The correct diagnosis is too important, and, of course, you can give the prescribed therapeutic and prophylactic drugs to your pet on your own.

There were tragic cases when, after reading incorrect information about the methods of fighting helminths in cats, the owners fed medicines to sick animals, and they died from poisoning. For example, some cat worms are effective against tapeworms, while others are effective against roundworms.

What are the most common signs of worms in cats?

Disorders of digestion and work of the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, constipation, followed by diarrhea, refusal to feed, or vice versa, increased appetite).
Coughing attacks may periodically occur, especially as a result of ascaris.
Yellowness of the mucous membranes, enlarged liver.
Signs of anemia, which are especially pronounced in kittens.
Tousled, faded coat. Hair loss.
Itching in the anal area.
Small rash, hair loss near the anus.
Severe purulent or severe discharge from the eyes or nose
The presence of blood in the feces
In severe cases, signs of intoxication are diagnosed. Hind limb paralysis may also develop.
Premature birth or abortion.
Significant enlargement of the abdomen.
Developmental retardation in kittens.

It should be noted that the signs of helminthic invasion may resemble the symptoms of viral or infectious diseases. If at the same time deworming is carried out, it is possible to worsen the general condition of the animal, which in especially severe cases can lead to death.

Treatment of cats for worms. It is possible to establish that these are the symptoms of worms in cats only after clinical and laboratory tests, therefore, at the slightest suspicion of the presence of internal parasites in the pet, you should not delay the visit to the veterinarian.

Tips for dealing with worms

In the fight against parasites, drugs are effective and have almost no side effects: "Fenasal", "Dirofen", "Fenalidon", "Praziquantel", "Tsetoveks", "Pirantel". Before use, you must carefully read the annotation to prevent overdose. A few tips for "worm":

after taking the medication, the cat should be given 1-2 tablets of activated carbon;
follow the cat's pot - after taking the drug, the animal must empty its intestines so that there is no poisoning.

General symptoms of worm lesions

If you are not lazy to regularly prevent worm infestation, constantly monitor your pet, then even in a sick animal, the signs of the disease will not be very pronounced, since worms in domestic cats will not have time to reproduce in huge quantities. If you neglect medical measures, then you can allow a rapidly progressive lesion of the animal with worms, and often even several species. Sometimes this leads to the death of the pet.

Known common signs of helminthic lesions are: dull and falling hair, conjunctivitis of the eyes, alternating constipation and diarrhea, lethargy, tight abdomen, nonspecific odor from the mouth. The disease clearly affects the appetite of the animal: some cats begin to eat a lot, but do not recover at the same time; other pets refuse to eat, choosing only their favorite treats.

Why are worms dangerous for cats and humans?

It can be assumed that what kind of worms in cats, such parasites are transmitted to the owner. The danger of worms that have settled in the body is that they actively feed on blood, lymph, tissues of various internal organs, which leads to the inevitable depletion of the vital forces of the patient.

Any parasitic worms poison the body of an animal and a person with toxic substances, which are the result of their vital activity and death. Decomposition products also lead to allergic reactions and severe poisoning. In addition, with suction cups and fixing hooks, parasites injure organs, provoking rupture of blood vessels and necrosis.

The appearance of symptoms of helminthic invasion, such as constipation and bloating, may indicate intestinal obstruction. If the lesion occurs in a cat, then it may die, because a huge number of worms block the intestinal lumen of the poor animal, and it cannot empty it naturally. And this is not all the reasons why worms are so dangerous in cats; treatment in any case should be immediate.

Common symptoms of worms in cats and cats

The presence of fleas in a cat is a direct sign of the appearance of helminths.
Since invasive parasites can live not only in the intestines, but also in the bronchi, muscles, and liver, a number of symptoms can be observed that indicate the presence of helminths. Namely: general depletion of the body, dull hair, sluggish state of the pet, refusal to eat, or vice versa, increased appetite, thirst, weight loss, vomiting in a cat and diarrhea (in the vomit or feces, you can see the presence of parasites). Also, a small rash around the anus can indicate the presence of worms.
Kittens have swollen stomachs, very pale mucous membranes (due to anemia), indigestion is replaced by constipation, bloody diarrhea.

Fortunately, all of the above are rare. Usually, there are not so many parasites in the body of a cat, so the disease can proceed almost unnoticed. However, this is the main danger: as long as you think that your cat is "clean", he can already pose a serious threat.

Treatment of cats for worms. For this reason, veterinarians recommend not to wait for any symptoms of the disease, but to carry out deworming at least once a quarter.

The procedure itself is simple: in any pet store you can buy a suitable anthelmintic drug, and then just follow the instructions. Typically, the cat is given just one tablet early in the morning, mixed with food. If there are a lot of worms (there is one or more of the symptoms listed above), then after 10-14 days it is better to give another pill.

In addition, if several animals live in the house, you need to treat them all together. In the same period, it is necessary to take the appropriate anthelmintic drugs for all family members.

Folk remedies for worms for cats

Attention, these folk remedies are presented in the article solely for information.I personally do not bear any responsibility for the consequences for your pet that may be due to the use of these recipes at home.

Give a decoction of chamomile or fennel to drink instead of water.
Cut onions into 4 parts and pour a glass of warm boiled water. Give this water to the cat on an empty stomach in the morning for 7 days.
Common tansy. Pour 1 tablespoon of flowers with a glass of boiling water and leave for 1 hour, then strain. Give the cat this infusion 2-3 times a day, and then feed it no earlier than 30-60 minutes.
Alcohol tincture of wormwood is applied 10 drops 2 times a day. Feed the cat no earlier than 30-60 minutes.
Carrot juice enemas (20 ml) once a day for a week.