Tapeworms can live up to two years if untreated, but often do not cause great harm to their host. These worms can grow up to 20 inches long, however, they are usually smaller. Tapeworm infestations are fairly common in cats, and veterinary treatment is very effective at eradicating them.
These tabs require only a single administration to start working and effectively eliminate tapeworms within 3 weeks; although, some cats may require another 2-3 week period of treatment.
If left untreated, tapeworms can cause intestinal inflammation and secondary health issues. Older cats and kittens are especially susceptible to the adverse effects of intestinal parasites. In extreme cases, kittens may develop intestinal obstructions from adult tapeworms.
As the adult tapeworm matures, individual segments called proglottids, break off from the main body of the tapeworm and pass in the cat's feces.
Can I get a tapeworm infection from my pet? Yes; however, the risk of infection with this tapeworm in humans is very low. For a person to become infected with Dipylidium, he or she must accidentally swallow an infected flea. Most reported cases involve children.
Ingesting Fleas
It's also possible for tapeworms to be transmitted directly from pets to humans; we can become infected with the flea tapeworm if we eat an infected flea by accident, often through playing or sleeping with our pet.
For instance, if your cat is diagnosed with dipylidium caninum, you will need to treat your cat, home, and other pets for fleas as well as tapeworms to prevent reinfection. Flea infestations can be tricky to manage, and can also expose other cats and dogs in the home to tapeworms.
If they have small white 'grains' in them, it's likely your cat has the parasite. These small pieces will be cream in colour and around the size of a grain of rice. If your cat is regularly licking their anus it could mean they have tapeworms. Similarly, biting or scratching at this area may be a sign.
The tapeworm eggs can live in the environment in grass and soil, carpets and dust, so it is hard to eliminate the process of infection as we cannot keep this permanently clean.
Regardless of how regal they may seem, cats can carry worms and kissing your pet on their fur or head can lead to the transfer of worms to people.
While one dose is considered effective to kill adult tapeworms, it is recommended to administer a second dose about two weeks later to kill any remaining or newly introduced tapeworms. Effective flea control must also be used simultaneously to clear and prevent reinfection with Dipylidium worms.
If these dried segments are ingested, it is possible to pass on the tape worm parasite. Beware, HUMANS ARE ABLE TO GET TAPE WORMS. If you see these dried segments around your house, and aren't sure if they are sesame seeds or small grains of rice, DO NOT EAT THEM.
What to expect after deworming a kitten. Your kitten might still have worms after deworming as deworming 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 administering the dewormer medication.
Treatment for adult tapeworms is given on an outpatient basis in the form of an injection or oral medication. Deworming medications are effective at removing tapeworms and very safe for your cat. After treatment, the tapeworms will normally dissolve in the cat's intestines.
Some can survive a long time in a litter box, while others cannot. Some parasites in cat stool, such as Toxoplasma gondii, are passed in a form that is not infectious for the first day or two in the litter box.
The usual disinfectants, including most commonly used bleach solutions, have little effect on the parasite. An application of hydrogen peroxide seems to work best.
Whipworm eggs can survive in the environment for up to 5 years, take 11 weeks to mature in the body and can survive in the host for up to 16 months. Cats infected with whipworms may show signs of weight loss, digestive or intestinal issues, and bloody diarrhea.
Tapeworms settle in a cat's small intestine, but the most common types of tapeworms in cats aren't usually dangerous. However, if left untreated for a long period of time, tapeworms can lead to serious complications and can even potentially be fatal.
Because tapeworms feed on the nutrients passed in the small intestine, your cat may seem more hungry than usual as she is unwittingly sharing her meals with a nasty intestinal parasite. If the infestation lasts long enough, your cat might even lose weight.
Use newspapers or paper towels to clean up waste. Rinse the soiled area with hot water and detergent. Scrub away as much of the soiling as you can, blotting with towels. Use an enzymatic cleaner to remove stains and odours.
Indoor cats can become infected with tapeworm in a few different ways, but the most common is by eating infected fleas. Even though your cat may never set a paw outdoors, fleas can hitch a ride into your home on your clothes, on other pets or even on other visitors to your home.
Tapeworms are not contagious, like a cold, per se, but they are transmittable — through fleas — from animal to animal and in rare cases to humans. Just like your cat, if your dog eats an infected flea while chewing his skin, he can get tapeworms.
How Long do Tapeworms Live? Depending on the species, tapeworms can live for up to 20-30 years. Many times, people can be infected for long periods of time without even knowing they have a tapeworm infection.
The worm can't survive outside of a living host, but the eggs and larvae can. Eggs pass from the original host through their poop into the local soil and water. There, they contaminate the food and drinking water of other animals.