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Hookworms in Cats
What are Hookworms?
Hookworms can cause anemia, small intestine inflammation, internal blood loss and bleeding at the site of the bite. Because of this, hookworms can be fatal if left untreated. Fatalities are most common in young kittens.
Ancylostoma hookworms are small, thread-like parasites that attach to the walls of the small intestine in cats, feeding on the blood of their host. Both Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Ancylostoma ceylanicum worms are known to invade cats. Hookworms are fairly common, infecting an estimated 10 to 60 percent of all cats at some point in their lives.
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Symptoms of Hookworms in Cats
Symptoms are often mild in older cats and more pronounced in younger cats. These symptoms include:
- Small lesions on the bottom of the foot pads and in-between toes
- Pale mucous membranes in the lips, gums and nostrils
- Poor coat
- Diarrhea that may contain blood
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Black, tarry stools
- Loss of appetite
- Cough
- Breathing difficulties
- Wheezing
Causes of Hookworms in Cats
Hookworm eggs are passed through the stool where they hatch into larvae. Cats become infected with the larvae either through skin contact with an infected cat's stool in the dirt, sand or litter box, through the ingestion of other animals that are infected with hookworms, or by drinking water that is infested with the larvae. Kittens can become infected with hookworms by drinking their mother's milk. Once inside of the cat's body, the larvae migrate to the lungs and then into the small intestine. While in the small intestine, the larvae will attach themselves to the intestinal wall, feed on the cat's blood and mature into adult worms that can reproduce eggs that will then pass through the cat's stool. It takes approximately two to four weeks from the initial infestation for the cat to be able to pass on the hookworms to other cats, animals and humans. Outdoor cats, hunters, and cats in overcrowded shelters are most likely to become infected with hookworms.
Diagnosis of Hookworms in Cats
Because adult hookworms are typically 1/2-inch or less in size and produce small eggs and larvae, they are difficult to see in the stool with the naked eye. It's important to watch for the symptoms in cats in order to catch and treat hookworms before complications occur.
The veterinarian will need to know the cat's complete health history, which will include a detailed list of the symptoms, an approximate date when the symptoms first began and if any other animals in the household have recently been diagnosed with hookworms. The veterinarian will suspect hookworms if other kittens in the litter have recently died.
Hookworms are diagnosed by the veterinarian examining the cat's stool sample under a microscope. The stool specimen will be mixed with a solution that allows the eggs to float up to the top of the sample, making them easily visible under the microscope. Because hookworms typically reproduce daily, infestations are easily detected.
Cats who have been diagnosed with hookworms will have several labs drawn, which will include a complete blood count and a urinalysis. These labs will look for low hemoglobin levels that are indicative of anemia and low kidney function as a result of dehydration.
Treatment of Hookworms in Cats
Medication
A deworming medication will be prescribed to the cat. This medication will either expel the worms or kill them. Fenbendazole is a common ingredient in deworming medications and may cause vomiting. The medication will need to be given to the cat for three to five days to ensure that all of the hookworms have been expelled.
Pregnant cats should begin medication two weeks after breeding and continue until two to four weeks after giving birth in order to prevent the hookworms from being passed on to the kittens. Kittens should receive medication after they have reached three to four weeks of age and continue once a month to ensure that all of the hookworms have been expelled.
Supplements
Cats who are severely anemic may need to receive iron and nutritional supplements until their iron levels are back to normal.
Fluid Therapy
If the cat is extremely dehydrated, hospitalization may be needed. Fluids will be given intravenously during hospitalization. The veterinarian will run frequent labs to ensure the cat's heart and kidneys are responding well to the fluid therapy.
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Recovery of Hookworms in Cats
When caught early, the prognosis is good for cats who receive thorough treatment. The cat will need to follow up with the veterinarian as recommended to ensure that re-infestation does not occur. Though there is no vaccination available to prevent hookworms, there are medications available through prescription to prevent the parasite from infecting the cat. It's important to prevent future infestations by properly and frequently cleaning the cat's litter box and living area. Outdoor cats should be protected by paying close attention to areas where water gathers, such as small ponds, containers, and low-lying areas.
Because hookworms can be passed to humans, it's important to take care when caring for the cat and cleaning its litter box by wearing gloves and with thorough hand washing.
Hookworms Average Cost
From 377 quotes ranging from $100 - $250
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Hookworms Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Persian
Bianca
6 Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
My cat was diagnosed with hook worms & I gave her her last dose over a week ago. She had jumped on my lap recently & left blood on my leg & I noticed a bit of thick blood in her fur that looks like it came from her anus. I say ‘thick’ because the blood was more mucusy & hard to clean off. I watched over her & she seemed fine but again, I noticed a small amount of blood last night in her fur & took her to the vet today. She also has been sneezing a lot lately.
I gave the vet a stool sample that even had a little blood at the time (no more worms, the only thing I think he checked it for) & left the blood in her fur this time but said it was poo (I’ve had her for 6 years & I know what blood looks like) He dismissed it as nothing but gave me the medication metronidazole & said there were no side effects when I had asked. I did some research once we got home & it sounds like a dangerous antibiotic that I’m hesitant to subject my cat to that I was told ‘has nothing wrong’ Her appetite is also fine, maybe an increase in drinking, & bowel movements haven’t changed.
Would I be ok with not subjecting this to her or is it ok to have it anyways even though she hasn’t been diagnosed with anything? I don’t even know what he checked her for because he doesn’t allow patients in the back & spoke to him through his tech. Thank you for all your help.
Feb. 22, 2018
7 Recommendations
Metronidazole is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication which is commonly used in cats presenting with blood in the stool as it covers both bacterial infections and protozoa that commonly cause colitis or other gastrointestinal disorders; I cannot tell you to give the metronidazole as it is a prescription medication and I haven’t examined Bianca but it was prescribed by your Veterinarian, if you are not comfortable with the treatment offered you should visit another Veterinarian for another opinion. There are a few other causes of blood in the stool which including poisoning, tumours, foreign objects among other causes. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 22, 2018
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Persian
Bianca
6 Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
My cat was diagnosed with hook worms & already took her 2nd (also last) dose a week ago today. Besides throwing up the next morning, she hasn’t had any issues & im very observant. Today I noticed she had blood in her fur & around her anus after going to the bathroom. There was a little in her stool as well but not as much as there was on the streaks up to her stomach. There wasn’t a lot of blood but it wasn’t that minimal either, she didn’t seem in pain while going to the bathroom. Unfortunately it’s the weekend & all the vets are closed unless I travel far to an emergency vet that may be costly just to find out it’s a side effect. Should I be worried? Help! Please.
Feb. 17, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. If Bianca is eating and drinking well, and seems bright and happy otherwise, you shouldn't need to seek emergency care for her. She should have a recheck with your veterinarian to make sure that the hookworms are gone and determine why she is having blood around her anus, but if she is comfortable otherwise, you should be able to monitor her until Monday morning. If she becomes lethargic, inappetant, is vomiting or having more dramatic bleeding, you should make the trip to the emergency clinic. I hope that all goes well for her!
Feb. 17, 2018
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Hookworms Average Cost
From 377 quotes ranging from $100 - $250
Average Cost
$150
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