Nematodes in animals: main symptoms and treatment

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Nematodes (worms) are roundworms that infect the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). Nematodes in cats are a common occurrence that requires proper treatment. Not only yard cats and those walking on the street are at risk, but also pets. For many owners, the appearance of nematodes in a domestic cat causes surprise and confusion as to how the pet could become infected. Let's take a closer look at the causes of nematodes and how to combat them.

Nematodes are one of the types of worms. They are small, small-sized worms that enter the gastrointestinal tract and parasitize there. They spread very quickly, mainly in the small intestine, but sometimes they can be diagnosed in nearby, interconnected organs: liver, colon, esophagus. Nematodes, or roundworms, are one of the most common and frequently encountered types of helminths in cats. In addition to roundworms, cats can become infected with tapeworms and flatworms.

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What nematode worms look like: photo and description

Many roundworms live freely exclusively in the external environment: soil, water bodies, animal bedding. Some types of roundworms parasitize plants (root-knot nematode, etc.).

According to the description, nematodes are worms with an elongated body of a spindle-shaped or cylindrical shape. Its cross section is round. Nematodes vary in size. These helminths are dioecious.

On the outside, the body of nematodes is covered with a dense cuticle, on which spines, ridges, papillae and other formations are visible. Under the cuticle there is a thin epithelial layer and well-developed muscles that form the skin-muscular sac. This bag contains the organs of the nervous, reproductive, digestive and other systems.

The role of fixation organs in nematodes are lips, oral capsule, cuticular outgrowths in the form of spines, ridges and some other devices.

The digestive system begins with the mouth, which leads into the esophagus, then into the intestinal tube. At the end of the tube there is an anus. In addition to the oral opening, there are additional oral and perioral elements that perform various functions.

Thus, the oral capsule acts as a suction cup, and numerous chitinous inclusions (teeth and plates), which are directed forward with their tips, are intended to injure the host’s tissues. Not all nematodes have a pharynx.

The esophagus is a muscular organ that leads from the mouth or pharynx to the midgut. More often it looks like a tube, cylindrical or club-shaped. The midgut passes into the rectum, which has a pronounced cuticular layer. The anus in roundworms is mainly located on the ventral surface near the posterior end of the body, but in some species the anus may be absent.

Look what nematodes look like in these photos:

Causes of white worms in stool

First of all, these worms are parasites, tiny animals that live either inside your cat or on her body, and they can stay there because they feed on the nutrients your cat regularly consumes. Because of this, they will stay there as long as they have something to "eat", which is not good. What's worse is that the effects of these parasites on your cat can range from barely noticeable to miserable, even affecting her function, overall health and mobility.

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That's why if you ever see white worms in your cat's poop, you need to take action immediately. Don't wait too long after you first see worms to do something about them; Your veterinarian should know this immediately in order to properly care for your fur baby. In addition to worms, you may also notice tiny eggs in the feces, and both are symptoms of the same thing: your cat has one of three types of worms. These three types include:

1. Hookworms : These are shaped like tiny hooks.
2. Roundworms : These are round and small in shape.
3. Tapeworms : They are longer than other types of worms and can be as large as a grain of rice or spaghetti noodles.

Tapeworms are the most common type of worm found in cats. However, all three types of worms can affect cats of any age and size, so it is important to constantly look for them.

Hookworm disease in cats and dogs

Hookworm disease is a parasitic disease caused by nematodes that parasitize the small intestines of animals and feed on blood. This disease mainly affects dogs and cats.

The length of nematodes ranges from 6 to 20 mm. Parasite eggs are released along with animal feces and mature in the external environment. Infection of cats and dogs occurs in two ways: through the mouth (by ingesting larvae) and through the skin (by active penetration of larvae through the skin of animals). In the body of pets, the larvae travel with the blood into the lungs, from where they penetrate into the pharynx, are swallowed, and after a few weeks reach sexual maturity.

As a result of the mechanical effects of parasites, animals often experience pronounced symptoms of the disease: lack of appetite, diarrhea or constipation, the presence of mucus and traces of blood in the stool, pallor of the mucous membranes, and exhaustion.

When making a diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a fecal examination using the Fulleborn method.

In the treatment of this disease in dogs and cats caused by nematodes, the use of anthelmintic drugs has a good effect: tetrachlorethylene at a dosage of 0.1-0.2 g/kg, piperazine adipate and piperazine sulfate at a dosage of 0.2 g/kg 2 times a day within 2 days. These drugs should be given to animals along with food. You can give dogs carbon tetrachloride at a dosage of 0.3 g/kg, but you should be especially careful, as toxic effects are possible as a result of exposure to this drug. For 3 days before and after the use of anthelmintic drugs, it is necessary to exclude fatty foods from the pet’s diet.

To prevent this type of nematode, scheduled deworming of animals should be carried out 2 times a year: the first in June-July (after weaning the puppies) and the second in December (before the rut).

Dogs infected with hookworms must be periodically examined to detect helminths. If indicated, deworming should be carried out immediately.

Young animals with this disease should be subjected to anthelmintic therapy from 2 months of age, but not earlier. An indicator for prescribing such therapy for puppies is the presence of parasite eggs in their feces. Repeated deworming of puppies should be carried out no earlier than two weeks after the first.

Signs of worms

It may take a long time for a cat to notice that it has worms. Helminthic infestations appear as the number of parasites in the body multiplies.

Symptoms of worms in cats:

• loss of interest in toys;
• drowsiness;
• lack of appetite;
• bloated stomach due to enlarged liver;
• sudden weight loss;
• tousled fur;
• cough;
• vomit;
• yellowing of the whites of the eyes;
• licking the anus (trying to eliminate itching);
• diarrhea, which is replaced by constipation;
• convulsions;
• blood in stool.

A pregnant cat may experience premature labor or even miscarriage. Kittens born with helminthic infestation are developmentally delayed. Symptoms directly depend on the type of parasites and their location in the body.

Dioctophimosis in carnivores

Dioctophimosis is a disease of carnivorous animals (mainly dogs), which is caused by round helminths that parasitize the renal pelvis, abdominal cavity, ureters and bladder.

Less commonly, they can be found in the liver, blood vessels and heart.

Infection of an animal's genitourinary tract by large nematodes leads to severe impairment of kidney function.

Helminths can reach a length of up to 40 cm. However, their width is no more than 7 mm. Their color varies from bright pink to red. The eggs of parasites are oval in shape.

Dogs are the definitive (main) hosts of parasites, and oligochaete worms act as intermediate hosts. Dogs and other sick animals excrete eggs in their urine, in which the larvae develop to the invasive stage. Dogs most often become infected by eating worms. From the intestines of dogs, the larvae travel through the blood to their localization sites.

Largely due to their large size, helminths in places where they are localized in the animal’s body have a significant mechanical, allergic and toxic effect. In especially severe cases, the affected kidney can completely atrophy.

With dioctophimosis, the urine of a sick animal becomes bloody or with clots of pus. Its release occurs in separate portions. These symptoms can lead to peritonitis.

During diagnosis, capillariasis may be detected.

No specific therapy has been developed to treat this nematode-associated disease. In severe chronic cases of the disease, surgical removal of helminths is indicated.

For subcutaneous injections, ivermectin is indicated at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.

Types of helminths

The causative agents of helminthiases in cats are represented by two types: roundworms – Nemathelminthes

(class
Nematoda ), cause nematoses; flatworms - Plathelminthes
(class of tapeworms
Cestoidea and flukes Trematoda ), cause cestodiasis and trematodiasis, respectively.
Depending on the biology of helminths and the ways of their spread, 3 main groups are distinguished: geohelminthiasis, contact (contagious) and biohelminthiasis. Geohelminthiases are invasions whose pathogens develop without an intermediate host. The geohelminth eggs or larvae released from the body develop to an invasive stage in the soil.

Contact (contagious) helminth infections are transmitted directly from a sick animal to a healthy one, since the eggs enter the external environment already mature and do not need an additional development cycle.

Biohelminthiases are invasions in which the biological development cycle of the helminth necessarily takes place in the body of other living beings.

There are final ( definitive)

) hosts, in whose body the development of helminths occurs to the sexually mature stage, and
intermediate
- where the parasite is in the larval stage or reproduces asexually.
A paratenic host
is a potential intermediate organism in which development does not occur.
Transport
and
reservoir
are also distinguished .

Capillariasis in dogs

Capillariasis is a disease caused by round helminths that parasitize the cavity of the bladder. In this organ they attach to the mucous membrane and cause catarrhal inflammation.

This disease mainly affects dogs. The causative agent of the disease is a nematode with a thread-like body shape.

The development of parasites is characterized by the presence of intermediate hosts (earthworms). Earthworms eat the soil along with helminth eggs, from which larvae subsequently hatch in the intestines. Dogs become infected by accidentally eating worms. In this case, the worms are digested, and the parasite larvae are transferred through the bloodstream to the bladder. The disease tends to spread quickly, as dogs often mark their territory with urine, and each time a significant number of eggs are released.

Sick dogs experience frequent urination. There is often mucus or pus in the urine.

When diagnosing this disease, it is necessary not only to take into account the symptoms, but also to conduct a laboratory test of urine.

To do this, you need to take 100 ml of urine from the last portion, dilute it in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 with tap water, and leave it in a conical glass for 15-20 minutes. Then carefully drain the top layer and examine the sediment for eggs.

To treat capillariasis, a 10% aqueous solution of levamisole is prescribed, which should be administered intramuscularly to dogs at a dosage of 5 mg/kg for 2 days.

Also, for the treatment of this nematode in dogs, a 1% solution of ivermectin in the form of subcutaneous injections at a dosage of 0.02 ml/kg is indicated.

Fenbendazole is given to sick dogs along with food at a dosage of 20 mg/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 5 days.

How do cats become infected with worms?

• Cats most often become infected with worms after coming into contact with parasite eggs or infected feces.
• Your pet may walk through the contaminated area and, since cats are often very clean, they will ingest worm eggs while licking the fur. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a street cat or a domestic cat, especially if several individuals use one litter box, the risk of infection is high.
• Animals that live or roam outdoors and regularly hunt small rodents are at higher risk of worm infestation.
• Cats can become infected with tapeworms by ingesting fleas.

Coccidiosis in sheep

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by the activity of parasites that live in the internal organs of animals. Sheep are mainly affected by this disease.

The main symptom of the disease is diarrhea mixed with blood. In sheep, the disease can occur in acute and chronic forms and is accompanied by loss of appetite, indigestion, and fever. Sheep often lose weight, and lambs may even die.

To treat this nematode, add sulfamethacin or a 2% solution of sulfamidine to drinking water at a dosage of 1 g/l of water. The course of treatment is 7 days.

Measures to prevent this disease include maintaining cleanliness and quality feeding. It is necessary to periodically give young animals for prophylaxis along with food phenothiazine at a dosage of 0.5 g/kg 1 time per day for 3-5 days.

The main signs of nematodes are shown in these photos:

Onchocerciasis in cattle and horses

Onchocerciasis is a helminthiasis from the group of filariases (caused by nematodes), characterized by the formation of subcutaneous nodes, damage to the skin and eyes. In this disease, sexually mature onchocerci parasitize in the tendons and ligaments of animals, and the larvae (microonchocerci) are localized in the skin. The disease is widespread. It is mainly affected by cattle and horses.

Females of sexually mature onchocerci secrete a large number of larvae, which pass into the skin. Further development of the larvae takes place in the body of intermediate hosts (blood-sucking insects). The development of parasites in the definitive host occurs within 7-8 months.

Infection of animals occurs only near the breeding sites of midges, since infected female insects are unable to fly long distances.

Most often, this disease has a chronic form. There are no visible signs of this nematode-caused disease in cattle. In horses, the main symptoms of onchocerciasis are abscesses, cellulitis and lameness.

To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct examinations of skin samples taken from the navel area. A sample 1.5-2 mm thick must be cut into small pieces and placed on a glass slide, then filled with saline solution. After 10-15 minutes, the pieces should be removed, and the preparation should be examined under a microscope to detect microonchocerci.

No special therapy has been developed for the treatment of this disease in cattle. In horses, worms are removed through surgery.

To prevent animals from becoming infected with onchocerciasis, it is necessary to protect them from attacks by invasive midges.

To combat blood-sucking midges, it is recommended to treat pets with pyrethroids, proteid or neocidol. Places where midges accumulate are also subject to treatment. For this, it is best to use byteks or difos.

Diagnosis

Based on the above symptoms, tests are prescribed to identify parasites. To detect helminths, scatological studies are carried out. These tests help detect nematode eggs in animal feces. But if a cat or dog has recently become infected with helminths, then during the first test, parasite eggs may not be detected, due to the fact that there are still only a small number of them. In this case, it is better to conduct this study 3-4 times a month, which will give a more accurate result

Parascariasis in horses

Parascariasis is a helminthiasis in which parascaridae are localized in the small intestine, and sometimes in the stomach and bile ducts of the animal's liver. Parascariasis is observed everywhere. This disease mainly affects horses.

Parascarid eggs in the external environment reach the invasive stage in 1-2 weeks. From the moment a horse ingests parasite eggs until their sexually mature stage, approximately 1.5-2 months pass.

Equine parascariasis is more common in places with a humid climate and marshy soil. Mostly young individuals in stable and mixed housing are susceptible to the disease. Adult horses get sick less often.

Infection of horses with parascaridae is more often recorded in the autumn-winter period, after which a decrease in the disease is noted.

Horses are infected through the nutritional route by ingesting invasive parasite eggs in feed or water. Foals can become infected with parascariasis while nursing mares.

The symptoms of this disease, caused by nematodes, depend on the intensity of the damage, the age of the animals, the resistance of their body and possible allergic reactions.

The symptoms are most pronounced in foals, while in adults parascariasis is mainly subclinical. When parascarid larvae migrate through the blood in the first days after infection, enteritis and diarrhea are observed, then bronchopneumonia develops, accompanied by a cough, a short-term increase in body temperature and mucous discharge from the nose. In the presence of parascaridae in the intestines, digestive upset occurs, animals quickly lose weight and get tired quickly. The mucous membranes become pale, the composition of the blood changes, the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin decreases. Leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation reaction are often observed. Sometimes foals experience convulsions or paresis.

To diagnose this disease, it is necessary to examine horse feces using the Fulleborn method. In foals infected with parascariasis, parascarid eggs cannot always be detected, so diagnostic deworming is recommended.

Piperazine, carbon disulfide and carbon tetrachloride are used to treat parascariasis.

Piperazine is indicated in the form of piperazine sulfate, piperazine hexahydrate in a dosage of 8-25 g per head (depending on the age of the animal) twice for 2 consecutive days with food or water.

Carbon tetrachloride should be administered in a dosage that depends on the age of the animal. For foals from 3 to 7 months, this drug is indicated in a dosage of 5-10 ml, from 7 to 12 months - 10-15 ml, from one year to 2 years - 15-20 ml, for adult horses - 25-40 ml. In case of significant helminth infestation, it is recommended to give a saline laxative after carbon tetrachloride. Before administering the drug, animals are given a 16-18-hour fasting diet. During the deworming period, concentrates should be completely excluded from the diet. Manure must be removed daily and disinfected using the biothermal method. Approximately 10 days after deworming, the stable should be treated with a hot 5% carbolic acid solution.

For prevention, scheduled deworming of horses should be carried out in the fall and spring. It is prohibited to feed roughage to horses from the floor. Animals can be given water only with clean drinking water.

HOOKYLOSTOMIS

Ancylostoma tubaeforma is a hookworm, a small round helmin of the Chromadorea class, 1-2 cm long, which has two chitinous plates with three hook-shaped teeth on the oral capsule for fixation in the intestine.

Routes of infection

• Ingestion of larvae with food (feed).
• Active penetration of larvae through the skin.
• Hunting for rodents, in which the larvae can remain viable for up to 10 months.

Life cycle

Hookworm is a geohelminth

.
The eggs hatch into larvae after 10 days in the soil. If the larva enters the cat’s digestive tract with food, it quickly develops into an adult, sexually mature individual. When introduced through the skin, the larva travels a long way through the circulatory system, reaching the respiratory system and bronchi, rises up to the pharynx and is swallowed by the animal into the stomach. From them, adult individuals develop, which are attached by hooks to the intestinal wall. The hookworm is a hematotroph
- it feeds on blood. One infected cat can harbor up to several hundred hookworms. The females of the parasite lay a huge number of eggs every day, which fall into the soil with the animal’s feces.

The definitive host for Ancylostoma tubaeforma is the cat.

The paratenic host for Ancylostoma tubaeforma is rodents

Humans are not infected with this type of hookworm. Ancylostoma duodenale is pathogenic for humans.

Symptoms

The most dangerous symptom of hookworm infection is chronic blood loss with the development of anemia

. The sites of helminth penetration in the small intestine constantly bleed. With mass infestation, feces may become black (melena), and there may be profuse bleeding that threatens the life of the animal. A blood test shows a decrease in hemoglobin, the number of red blood cells and an increase in reticulocytes, as the red bone marrow tries to compensate for blood loss. In addition, the attachment of the parasite to the intestinal wall causes inflammation, which is manifested by enteritis, indigestion, diarrhea, the animal loses weight, protein-mineral metabolism is disrupted, and general health and coat condition deteriorate.

Parafilariasis in horses

Parafilariasis is a disease of horses in which helminths parasitize the subcutaneous tissue of animals. The causative agents are white thread nematodes.

The course of this disease is characterized by seasonality. Basically, the first cases of infection occur in April, and the peak incidence occurs in July-August. The higher the air temperature, the more pronounced the disease manifests itself. The largest number of horses become infected as a result of prolonged stay on pastures. Most often adults become ill.

Helminths, moving in the subcutaneous tissue, actively drill into the skin of the animal. In places of lesions, tubercles form on the skin of infected horses. Over a few days they gradually increase to the size of a pea. They appear mainly on the withers and shoulder blades, in the back and ribs, on the neck, and sometimes on the lower back and croup. Then, in these places, in sunny weather, holes and wounds form, through which blood leaks from broken capillaries and small vessels. At night the bleeding stops. After some time, the wounds heal and the tubercles disappear.

Bleeding is not observed daily throughout the summer season, but intermittently at different times. There can be more than 150 bleeding wounds on a horse's body. With such intensity of helminth damage, the horse loses a large amount of blood. When a collar or saddle comes into contact with wounds on the horse's skin, phlegmon appears.

In places where parasites live, abscesses that arise as a result of inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue can form without external influence.

To establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account the seasonal characteristics of the invasion, as well as the symptoms of this type of nematode. It is recommended to conduct a blood test from emerging wounds in order to detect eggs and larvae of nematodes. To do this, a drop of blood on a glass slide should be diluted with 10 drops of distilled water and, without covering it with a coverslip, placed under a microscope. Blood can be drawn into a centrifuge tube and diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, and the resulting sediment can be placed under a microscope. There are no microfilariae in the circulating blood, so there is no need to distinguish them from microsetaria.

To treat this disease, it is recommended to inject a weak aqueous solution of potassium permanganate subcutaneously into the affected areas in a ratio of 1:1000.

Ivomec should be administered subcutaneously at a dosage of 1 ml/50 kg or ivermectin at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg.

To prevent parafilariasis, it is recommended to use various insecticides.

How to rid cats of worms

Drugs for the treatment of helminthic infections in pets are available in different forms. Most often, tablets and drops are purchased. They are less toxic and easy to use.

The most popular are:

1. Advocate. Effective drops that need to be dripped onto your pet's withers. It will help get rid of not only external, but also internal parasites. Acts against nematodes. Can be used once. Apply to dry skin. The dosage is designed for a cat up to 4 kg.
2. Helmimax. The tablets are effective against cestodes and nematodes. Can also be used for mixed invasions. The tablet is designed for a pet’s weight from 2 to 4 kg. A kitten weighing up to 1 kg should be given ¼ of the drug.
3. Helminthal. The form of the drug is drops. Apply to the withers. Fights tapeworms and roundworms. The dosage in the instructions is calculated for an animal weighing 4 kg. The effect lasts a month, after treatment it is recommended to repeat.
4. Dirofen. This is a single use tablet. The dosage is calculated for an animal weighing up to 5 kg. It is recommended to treat helminthiasis twice, with a break of 10 days. Lactating cats are given the drug 20 days after birth.
5. Drontal. The tablets are effective against tapeworms and roundworms. One tablet (350 mg) is designed for a four-legged pet weighing up to 4 kg. The course of treatment is one-time. If the cat weighs less, the tablet will need to be divided into parts.
6. Inspector. Effective drops that work against most types of parasites. Apply to dry and clean skin of the cat, in a place where she cannot lick the drug. The instructions indicate a weight of 4 kg. After application, do not bathe the animal.
7. Milbemax. They work against nematodes and cestodes. You can give it to two-month-old kittens - there are pink tablets with a special dosage for them. Red tablets are given to adult animals. The dosage is calculated based on the pet's weight (1 tablet per 4 kg).
8. Prazicide. The tablets have a wide spectrum of action. Allowed for kittens from 1 month of age. The drug is designed for a cat weighing 3 kg. There is also a suspension. The dosage is 1 ml per 1 kg of animal weight.
9. Profender. Broad spectrum drops. Apply to the pet's withers. The skin should be clean and dry. They are used for treatment and prevention. Profender drops are allowed for kittens from 2 months.
10. Stronghold. Effective drops on the cat's withers. They work against all types of parasites. At the same time, they will destroy fleas. It can be used not only for treatment, but also for prevention. They work for a month. If necessary, repeat treatment.

Sarcosporidiosis in dogs and cats

Sarcosporidiosis is a protozoal disease of dogs and cats caused by various species of Sarcosporidium, which are localized in the mucous membrane of the small intestine of the definitive (primary) hosts. A person can also become infected.

In intermediate hosts, parasites are mainly found in the muscles and heart. In this case, the disease proceeds subclinically, since the cystic stages of the parasite (sarcocysts) do not cause pathological changes.

The process of parasite reproduction in dogs and cats occurs in the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane of the small intestine, resulting in impaired digestive function.

Sarcocysts, parasitizing dogs, can cause severe sarcocystosis in intermediate hosts (cattle, sheep, pigs).

Sarcosporidiosis of carnivorous animals is widespread, but these diseases are diagnosed in practice quite rarely, since there are no clinical signs characteristic only of these diseases.

Sarcocysts develop with the obligatory participation of two hosts - the final and intermediate.

Animals are susceptible to this disease regardless of age.

The severity of the disease depends on the number of sarcocysts in the animal’s body.

In case of mass infection, damage to the intestinal mucosa, impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients are observed. In such cases, the animals become depressed and experience decreased appetite and diarrhea for several days.

To diagnose this disease, it is necessary to take into account epidemiological data, symptoms and results of scatological studies. To conduct scatological studies, fresh stool samples should be used, in which Sarcosporidium sporocysts are often found in sporulated form.

To treat this disease caused by nematodes in dogs and cats, sulfonamide drugs should be used at a dosage of 60-100 mg/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 5 days.

A good therapeutic effect is achieved by using the chemical coccide at a dosage of 24 mg/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 5 days.

Coccidiovit is indicated in a dosage of 150 mg/kg 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 3-5 days.

To avoid contracting sarcosporidiosis in cats and dogs, you should avoid feeding them raw meat. It is recommended that dogs be regularly screened for the presence of sporocysts.

Treatment

Thus, owners usually contact the veterinarian after discovering crawling segments. As such, diagnosis is not required in these situations. It looks so unpleasant that even the busiest breeders quickly find time to visit a specialist. Unfortunately, we have already written that the segments of some types of cestodes are too small. They can only be detected through microscopic examination of stool . Note that the specialist conducting it must be quite experienced, since otherwise he may not see anything.

How are cats treated for cestodiasis? There is one problem here. This is due to the fact that there are few drugs specifically designed for cats specifically for the treatment of this type of disease. Much depends on the physiological state of the pet, its age and other factors. In each case, it is imperative to consult with an experienced veterinarian who can choose the most appropriate drug.

Setaria in farm animals

Setariasis is a helminthiasis that is caused by nematodes that parasitize in the abdominal cavity (mature individuals), in the brain and spinal cord, in the eyes (juvenile forms) and in the blood (microsetaria).

Many types of farm animals are susceptible to this disease, including cattle, sheep, goats, and horses.

Setaria develop with the participation of intermediate hosts (mosquitoes and flies). The development of the parasite in the definitive host occurs within 6 months. Juvenile forms of helminths parasitize in the brain and spinal cord of sheep, and its mature forms are localized in the abdominal cavity of cattle.

Infection occurs by inoculation of infective larvae by blood-sucking insects on pasture. The greatest number of infections occurs during the flight of insects.

The main symptoms of this nematode, caused by setaria nematodes, depend on the degree of damage. In horses and cattle, clinical manifestations have not been studied. Paresis and paralysis of the limbs are observed in sheep. When the brain is damaged in sheep, movement coordination disorder occurs, which often leads to the death of the animals.

To diagnose setaria in horses and cattle, it is necessary to conduct a blood test to detect microsetaria.

No special therapy has been developed. Control and prevention measures include preventing contact between definitive and intermediate hosts. It is important to combat insects that carry setaria.

Routes of infection

Parasitic eggs are always found in the environment. These are vegetables, water, fish, grass, dust, meat. Most often, a pet becomes infected from homeless people.

Main routes of infection:

1. Raw water. Worm eggs live in damp, often river water.
2. Mother's milk. Infection of kittens with helminths occurs during the first feeding (provided that the mother is infected).
3. Intermediate hosts. They can be fleas, fish, rodents, crustaceans.
4. Feces. When cats wash themselves, they often lick feces from their paws. This is how infection occurs.
5. Grass, soil. Helminth eggs are found on the grass and in the soil. As the animal moves, they stick to its paws.

The routes of infection by parasitic worms in a cat will directly depend on the type of worms.

Spirocercosis in dogs

Spirocerciasis is a disease of dogs caused by roundworms that parasitize in inflammatory tubercles of the esophagus, stomach, aorta and lungs.

Beetles act as intermediate hosts and eat eggs released by sick animals. It is in the body of the beetles that the parasite larvae reach the invasive stage.

Dogs become infected by eating infested beetles.

There are reservoir hosts (birds, reptiles, etc.) that feed on beetles. The larvae remain in their body for a long time and serve as a source of infection for dogs. In the dog's body, the larvae travel with the blood to the localization sites, around which swellings appear with a hole at the top, from where the eggs of mature helminths come out.

Helminths reach sexual maturity in about 5 months.

The rapid spread of the disease is due to the presence of a wide range of reservoir hosts.

The presence of swelling in the aorta, esophagus, stomach and other vital organs significantly impairs the properties of these organs. Symptoms of the disease reflect the pathology of those organs in which the parasites are localized, therefore, disturbances in the rhythm of blood flow, swallowing, coughing, etc. are observed. Diagnosis of this disease requires a set of studies, including laboratory ones. Fecal examination is carried out using the Fulleborn method. To detect swelling, fluoroscopy of organs can be performed.

No specific therapy has been developed, but levamisole and ivermectin can be used for treatment. Animals are injected intramuscularly with a 10% aqueous solution of levamisole at a dosage of 5 mg/kg for 2 days. A 1% solution of ivermectin is indicated as a subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.02 ml/kg. The course of treatment is 3-5 days.

To prevent spirocerciasis in dogs, animal feces should be regularly disposed of by burning or burying.

What types of white worms are there in cats?

In general, this appearance is characteristic of two main types of parasitic worms:

• Ascaris (i.e. “harmful” nematodes).
• Flatworms (cestodes, which include all kinds of tapeworms and tapeworms).

Of course, experienced breeders know about the existence of parasitic flukes (they are also liver flukes), but the problem is that it is impossible to see them in a sick animal. To do this, it is necessary to open his liver. True, there are cases when opisthorchis or fascioli (young and simply small individuals), having “rolled” down the bile ducts, end up in the feces.

But even in this case, it is problematic to see them, and you cannot call them “white” (the body of such worms has a dark color). Thus, only two types of helminths should be considered.

White long worms: parasitic nematodes and their characteristics

In most cases of helminths appearing in animal feces, we are talking about parasitic species of nematodes. Perhaps they are the most typical and widespread white long worms.

In cats, two types are most often found:

• Toxocara cati.
• Toxacaris leonine.

The disease caused by them is called toxocariasis. In kittens, a similar disease is called toxoascariasis. Despite the huge diversity of species, all roundworms are similar in the characteristics of their life cycle, nutrition, and other features of their life.

Routes of infection

We should start by describing the routes of infection. Veterinarians believe that nematodes are characterized by four (!) methods of infection:

• Standard, nutritional. In this case, the pet “catches” worms by eating food contaminated with parasite eggs, or by drinking equally contaminated water. In addition, this also includes cases of infection when eating intermediate hosts, which can be small mouse-like rodents, birds or even insects. It is not at all necessary that eggs or larvae of parasitic worms are present in their body: all this can be on their skin, paws, etc. It is for this reason that cats that at least periodically walk outside are many times more likely to get sick. However, parasite eggs can just as easily be brought by their owners on street shoes.

• Infection... through the skin. In some species of round parasitic worms, the larvae initially lead an “honest” lifestyle, living in the upper layers of the soil. And when a cat walks on the ground, its delicate paw pads, whose skin is so thin, are in a very vulnerable state. The larvae gnaw through the skin, and then get to the nearest vessel, through which they enter the general bloodstream of the animal.

• Infection through mother's milk.

• Intrauterine infection. A variant characteristic specifically of parasitic nematodes (although in the case of some cestodes it also occurs). With a high intensity of invasion, the larvae can easily overcome the placental barrier, penetrating directly into the body of unborn kittens.

And it's very bad. The problem is that the invading larvae carry a lot of pathogenic microflora, and they also have problems with selectivity of penetration. It is unknown where exactly the little parasite will gnaw its way through, and it is also unknown what complications the kitten will experience as a result.

There is a possibility that as a result of such infection, the animal will subsequently develop many congenital pathologies. In addition, in such cases, the probability of death of the entire offspring increases sharply, which is always fraught with severe gynecological pathologies in the mother. Thus, a cat may well remain infertile as a result of “ordinary” helminthic infestations.

Life cycle of roundworm

Parasitic roundworms are interesting creatures. Their development cycle has long been of particular interest to researchers.

There are certain nuances, but in most species it proceeds as follows:

• First, the eggs or larvae of the worm enter the animal’s body. In the latter case, as a rule, infection occurs with the direct participation of an intermediate host, in whose body the young parasites mature to a certain stage of development.

• In the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, digestive enzymes act on the shell of the egg or capsule in which the larva “hides”, after which the parasite comes out.

• Although this seems illogical, the larva does not remain in the digestive tract, but immediately gnaws through the intestinal walls, heading towards the nearest blood vessels. Having broken through the wall of the latter, the parasite enters the general bloodstream.

• Using the bloodstream as if it were a road, the larva travels to the lungs. And this is where the problems begin. Firstly, the parasite on its body and inside it carries a huge amount of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora, which, once in the delicate lung tissue, inevitably causes the appearance of an inflammatory focus. Secondly, the larva does not have an internal “compass”, and therefore it is far from certain that it will be able to get into the lungs. In particular, this is how some of the parasites are deposited in the tissues of the mammary glands. The problem is that the larva could just as easily end up in any organ, including the heart or liver.

• The larva remains in the lungs for approximately two or three weeks. During this time, it eats well, using the tissue of the pulmonary alveoli to nourish it, growing to the required stages. The need for a “pulmonary vacation” is due to the fact that at first the larvae of these parasites need oxygen, which is not available in the intestines.

• When the time comes, the body of the small parasite begins to secrete caustic and irritating substances. They cause the animal to develop a strong cough, due to which the larvae are coughed up along with sputum. Together with it, they are swallowed and enter the gastrointestinal tract a second time.

The parasite is not sent back to the lungs, remaining in the intestines for the rest of its life.

Symptoms of white worm infection

As in cases of other helminthiasis, infection with parasitic nematodes often occurs without the development of pronounced clinical symptoms.

But still, many pathologies are accompanied by constant signs (sometimes quite vague):

• Bloating. This is especially pronounced in the case of kittens.
• Exhaustion of the animal. This is true for cases of severe helminthic infestations. Animals in such situations literally have their ribs sticking out, which sharply contrasts with the bloated abdomen, which creates a deceptive impression of “fatness.”
• Digestive problems are common , resulting in intermittent cases of diarrhea and severe constipation.
• It is also possible to have a perversion of appetite when the animal eats inedible objects, as well as chalk, clay or lime. This is largely due to a lack of vitamins and microelements, which are actively consumed by the parasite’s body.

Toxascariasis in dogs and cats

Toxascariasis is a disease caused by a nematode that parasitizes the small intestine and sometimes the stomach of animals.

This disease mainly affects adult dogs and puppies over 6 months of age, but it also occurs in cats.

The nematode is light yellow in color and spindle-shaped. The development of the parasite occurs in a direct way. In the eggs released along with feces into the external environment, larvae develop, as a result of which the eggs become invasive.

After entering the dog’s digestive tract, the larvae of such eggs are released from the shell, localized in the epithelial wall of the intestine and continue to develop there.

After some time, the parasite larvae move into the intestinal lumen, where after about 3-4 weeks they reach sexual maturity.

Nematodes have mechanical and toxic effects on the body of dogs and cats. With severe damage in animals, blockage of the intestinal lumen may occur, and sometimes rupture of its walls, followed by peritonitis.

Sexually mature nematodes often enter the bile duct and bile ducts of the liver, pancreatic duct, and stomach from the intestine. As a result, the functional activity of these organs is disrupted.

Sick dogs experience severe emaciation, mucous membranes become pale, and indigestion often occurs.

The animals completely lose their appetite. Diarrhea may alternate with constipation, and vomiting is sometimes observed. Abortions often occur in pregnant bitches.

To diagnose this nematode in cats and dogs, it is recommended to use the Fulleborn method.

Piperazine and tetrachlorethylene are used to treat toxascariasis.

Piperazine is indicated at a dosage of 0.2 g/kg for 2 days. This drug should be given to animals mixed with food in the morning and evening.

Tetrachlorethylene is prescribed in gelatin capsules at a dosage of 0.1-0.2 ml/kg. The course of treatment is 3 days.

3 days before deworming, fats should be completely eliminated from the animal’s diet.

TOXOCAROSIS

Toxocara cati (Toxocara mystax) is a “cat” toxocara, a helminth of the Nematoda class. Size from 3 to 10 cm, females are larger than males. A distinctive feature of the male is the curved rear end. In the area of ​​the head, a sexually mature individual has wings of the cervical type, the mouth opening is surrounded by three lips. The eggs are round in shape, brown in color with a thick, rough shell.

Routes of infection

Toxocara eggs are ubiquitous.

• An animal on a street walk can become infected by licking city/village dust from its fur or paws (oral-fecal route of infection).
• Mousecatching cats are at risk because Toxocara uses rodents as possible intermediate hosts.
• When eating raw meat in a diet contaminated with helminth eggs.
• A person can bring eggs into an apartment on shoes, clothes, or bags.
• When feeding kittens, as the medications can pass into mother's milk. Unlike canine Toxocara, feline Toxocara does not penetrate the placental barrier and does not infect kittens in utero.

Life cycle

A cat swallows Toxocara eggs directly by licking or eating paratenic (transport) hosts - mice, rats. The egg hatches into a larva, which bores through the intestinal wall and enters the bloodstream. With the bloodstream they are carried throughout the animal’s body, mainly settling in the lungs. Another part of the larvae reaches other organs (liver, lymph nodes, spleen, brain), where they are encapsulated and do not develop. In the lungs, Toxocara larvae rupture the alveoli, penetrate the bronchioles and move up to the larynx. During this period, the cat may cough and swallow the larvae along with saliva back into the digestive tract, where they develop into mature adults that produce eggs. The cat begins to release Toxocara eggs into the external environment with feces. Encapsulated larvae can periodically “wake up” and migrate again with the bloodstream to other organs. In addition, during lactation they pass into breast milk and within 3 weeks mature worms develop in the kittens’ intestines.

The definitive (final) host for Toxocara cati is the cat.

The paratenic host for Toxocara cati is rodents, worms, cockroaches, birds, humans, in which Toxocara cati does not develop into a sexually mature individual, remaining in the form of an encapsulated larva for up to 10 years.

Symptoms

Symptoms are nonspecific. Cats may experience decreased activity and loss of appetite. Periodic digestive disorders and enlarged lymph nodes are possible. Animals develop anemia and their immunity decreases. Toxocariasis causes disruption of mineral and protein metabolism. The condition of the coat deteriorates and dandruff appears. Massive infestation by Toxocara is especially dangerous, since worms, clogging the intestines, can cause obstruction, including intestinal rupture, the development of peritonitis and the death of the animal.

Tominxosis in dogs and cats

Tominxosis is a disease of dogs and cats caused by filamentous roundworms that parasitize the bronchi, trachea and nasal cavity. In this case, helminths have not only a mechanical, but also an allergic effect.

Intermediate hosts (earthworms) also take part in the development of helminths. Approximately 2-3 weeks after being excreted in feces, Tominx eggs become invasive. Earthworms swallow them along with the soil. Then the larvae hatch from the eggs and settle in the body of the earthworms.

Dogs and cats become infected when they accidentally eat infected worms. Helminths reach sexual maturity approximately a month after entering the body of the definitive host, and the life expectancy of these parasites is 9-10 months.

Bronchopneumonia is often observed in sick animals, and when a secondary infection occurs, purulent bronchopneumonia and abscesses in the lungs develop.

Breathing becomes difficult, wheezing, coughing and mucous discharge from the nostrils appear.

This disease is especially difficult for young individuals.

To diagnose the disease, feces are examined using the Fulleborn method to detect parasite eggs.

Levamisole, ivermectin and nilverm are used to treat dogs and cats.

A 10% solution of levamisole is prescribed at a dosage of 5 mg/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 2 days.

A 1% solution of ivermectin is administered subcutaneously at a dosage of 0.02 ml/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 2-3 days.

Nilverm is prescribed at a dosage of 3-5 mg/kg 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 7 days. The drug must be given in mixture with food.

To avoid infecting animals with tominxosis, the possibility of dogs and cats eating earthworms should be excluded. Do not leave food in pets' dishes, as worms may crawl into them.

Treatment of helminthiasis

After examining the animal and conducting the necessary research, the veterinarian will prescribe a drug. It should be taken into account that in case of massive helminth infestation, treatment should be approached taking into account the possible development of various allergic reactions and intoxication that occur during the decomposition of parasites.

For treatment, broad-spectrum drugs are used that act on several types of helminths at once. You should follow the prescribed dosage and take the drug only if there are no contraindications.

Common broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs that affect roundworms and tapeworms are:

• Prazicide;
• Drontal;
• Pratel (against round and tape helminths);
• Kanikquantel;
• Pirantel.

Before treatment, the cat should be treated for external parasites, which are carriers of certain types of helminths.

When you give the drug to your animal, you should make sure that the medicine is completely swallowed. If problems arise, you can dissolve the drug in a small amount of water and inject it into the cat’s mouth using a syringe (without a needle).

To consolidate the result obtained, the product is re-introduced after 10-14 days.

When using the drug, contraindications should be taken into account: pregnancy, breastfeeding, weakened animal body, exhaustion, concomitant infectious disease.

Find medications for parasites

This service is a small help in finding cures for parasites. To start using it, select the type of parasite. If you don’t know what kind of parasite you are infected with, this parasite identification tool will help you by symptoms.

Trichocephalosis in dogs

Trichocephalosis is a disease of dogs caused by round helminths that parasitize the mucosa of the cecum and large intestine. Trichocephalosis is widespread.

The causative agents of this disease are whipworms, which parasitize dogs.

Animals become infected by ingesting eggs in food and water. In the intestine, the eggs hatch into larvae, which then temporarily move into the intestinal mucosa and then return to the intestinal cavity. Helminths reach sexual maturity in 3 months and live for several months.

Nematodes feed on blood from the intestinal wall, which leads to serious pathological changes.

Sick animals become depressed and rapidly lose weight. Digestive dysfunction often occurs, with constipation or diarrhea. To diagnose this disease, feces are examined using the Fulleborn method.

Praziquantel, febantel, flubendazole, fenbendazole and mebendazole are used to treat trichuriasis.

Mebendazole should be given to animals with food at a dosage of 60-100 mg/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 3 days.

Praziquantel is administered once with food at a dosage of 5 mg/kg.

Febantel should be given to animals with food at a dosage of 0.01 g/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 3 days.

Fenbendazole is prescribed once in a mixture with food at a dosage of 25 mg/kg.

Flubendazole is given to animals at a dosage of 0.25/kg once a day. The course of treatment is 3 days.

To prevent dogs from becoming infected with trichuriasis, it is necessary to maintain hygiene in keeping and feeding animals, as well as promptly diagnose the disease and carry out deworming.

Cestodes (white flat worms)

Cestodes or flatworms are a large group of parasites that are found in different animals. In cats, the most common are Dipylidia, Alveococcus, Diphyllobothria and Echinococcus. In feces, two types of worms can most often be found, which cause Diphyllobothriasis and Dipilidiosis.

They look like small (5-10 mm) white oblong inclusions that move along the surface of the feces. People mistakenly believe that these are adult worms, and if they have left the intestines, then nothing needs to be done to the cat. This is the main mistake.

The appearance of white worms in a cat’s feces means that a parasite up to 70 cm long has settled in the animal’s intestines. It has reached puberty, actively reproduces and secretes lower segments with fertilized eggs (in parasitology they are called “segments”). Moreover, he does not need a second individual, these worms are bisexual. Hermaphroditism (the simultaneous presence of male and female reproductive organs) is a distinctive feature of cestodes.

You can find white flat worms in a cat not only in the feces, but also around the anus, stuck to the fur, or when segments accidentally fall out of the animal’s anus.

Important! Worms that are in the cat’s body secrete special proteins that reduce the activity of the enzyme (trypsin) in the cat’s digestive juices. This way the helminths are protected from digestion and can live from several months to 1 year.

Types of white worms (Dipylidium, Echinococcus, Alveococcus, Diphyllobothrium) in cats

1. Dipylidium, or cucumber tapeworm, enters the cat's intestines when an infected flea is accidentally ingested. When an insect is digested, a worm larva emerges, which attaches to the wall of the stomach and actively grows. She absorbs nutrients from food throughout her body. After the helminth reaches maturity, the process of formation of cocoons with eggs begins, which are located in the lower parts of the worm’s body. Then the white filled segments bud off and come out with feces. Next, the eggs are eaten by flea larvae and the process is repeated.

The disease in cats caused by the cucumber tapeworm is called dipylidia. There is a danger to humans only if an infectious flea is swallowed (in adults this is practically impossible, but in small children with close contact the risk of contracting dipylidia is much higher).

1. Diphyllobothrium is a parasitic worm that is acquired by cats when they eat raw fish. During the digestion process, a white worm larva emerges from the fish and attaches to the wall of the animal’s small intestine. She lives there for 3-4 weeks and grows up to 1.5 m. During the period of its life, the long helminth secretes cocoons of eggs, which are released with the cat’s feces. After a month, the parasite completely leaves the body during vomiting or defecation.

Diphyllobothrium is also dangerous to humans and other carnivores. Their worm grows up to 10 meters with a lifespan of up to several years.

1. Alveococcus is a small parasite, infection occurs by eating infected rodents. The worm larva penetrates the small intestine of the cat and grows for 3 months, reaching up to 5 mm in length, then forms segments with eggs, which break off as they mature and come out with the animal’s feces. In the environment, alveococcal eggs are preserved due to the formation of fine bubble foam, which attracts rodents. If a person accidentally eats grass with invasive foam, then tumor-like infiltrates (a vesicle with the head of a worm) are formed in the liver with the possibility of metastasis to the brain, lungs, and other organs. Infection leads to various disorders in the body, including death.
2. Echinococcus is a small white worm, the size of which in the mature state does not exceed . A cat can become infected in two ways: by eating an invasive rodent (with an egg hatching into a worm larva inside) or by ingesting worm eggs from the grass. Depending on this, there are two options for the development of the disease. In the case of eating a rodent, the mechanism will be similar to alveococcosis. If a cat swallows Echinococcus eggs from the grass, then bubbles with worm heads will form in the internal organs of the animal, which will remain underdeveloped, but will bring a lot of painful sensations to the pet. In humans, infection proceeds similarly.

Appearance of worms in cat feces

All feline cestodes are united by external similarity in body structure. These are long, segmented white helminths with suckers that differ only in size.

What do segments of white flatworms look like in a cat’s feces:

A distinctive feature of feline cestodes is the short time period of motor activity of individual segments that were found in the feces.

Usually, after a few minutes, the energy reserve of the white segment runs out and it stops moving. However, the parasite eggs inside remain viable for a long time.

Symptoms of the disease

External clinical manifestations of cestodiasis in the early stages are usually absent. As the worms grow and develop, they release toxic substances that are absorbed into the cat’s blood and lead to increasing intoxication of the body.

Vomiting appears, uneven stools with an admixture of white worms in the feces, taste perversions, the feeling of hunger increases, and the body is depleted. Sometimes toxins affect the cat's nervous system, leading to seizures.

Treatment and prevention

To successfully cure worms, it is necessary to deworm the cat with veterinary drugs based on praziquantel. This active substance is included in the preparations:

• "Milprazon" (meat tablets for kittens and cats);
• "Milbemax" (chewable tablets for large and small cats);
• "Kanikvantel" (1 tablet with meat flavor, designed for 10 kg);
• “Cestal cat” (liver-flavored tablet – 4 kg);
• "Drontal cat" (4 kg tablet);
• “Profender” (drops on the withers);
• “Dironet (tablets, suspension and drops on the withers);
• "Prasitel" (tablets);
• "Fenpraz" (tablets with royal jelly).

For intestinal cestodias, a double dose of the drug with an interval of 10-14 days is usually sufficient. For greater effectiveness, medications are given in the morning, before feeding the cat.

After the animal recovers, the course of anthelmintic therapy will need to be repeated every 3 months to prevent re-infestation.

Important! If an animal has been diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis (bubbles in the internal organs), then the doctor prescribes complex treatment with special medications. The possibility of surgical intervention cannot be ruled out, since the cysts are constantly growing, putting pressure on surrounding tissues and impairing blood circulation. In addition, the bubble with parasites may burst, the fluid will spread in the cat’s body, which will further aggravate its condition.

Uncinariasis in dogs and cats

Uncinariasis is a helminthiasis in dogs, but cats are also sometimes infected. The disease is widespread.

The causative agent of this disease is a nematode that has a powerful oral capsule with two cutting blades. The hatching of larvae from eggs occurs in the external environment.

Cats and dogs become infected with nematodes through nutrition (with food) or through the active penetration of larvae through the skin, followed by their passage through the lungs into the intestines. It is in the intestines that parasite larvae reach sexual maturity.

Uncinaria significantly injure the intestinal walls of the animal, thereby causing capillary bleeding.

Mostly young individuals are susceptible to this disease.

Characteristic symptoms of uncinariasis are anemia, disturbances in the secretory and motor functions of the digestive organs, then bloody diarrhea and exhaustion of the animal can be observed. The disease lasts from 1 to 4 weeks and most often ends in death, but can also become chronic.

To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct scatological studies to detect eggs or larvae of the parasite.

Carbon tetrachloride and tetrachlorethylene are used for treatment.

Carbon tetrachloride is prescribed in a dosage of 0.3 g/kg, but you should be especially careful, since toxic effects are possible as a result of exposure to this drug. The course of treatment is 2-3 days.

Tetrachlorethylene is indicated in a dosage of 0.1-0.2 g/kg 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 2 days.

These drugs should be given to animals along with food. For 3 days before and after the use of anthelmintic drugs, it is necessary to exclude fatty foods from the pet’s diet.

What if you notice white flat and small worms on your cat?

If you find small white flat worms in your cat's feces, then we are most likely talking about flatworms (flukes), which are deadly for your pets.

You shouldn’t immediately run to the veterinarian’s pharmacy and buy the most potent drug against worms with a wide spectrum of action - remember that the more effective the drug, the more toxic it is, so the consequences of such treatment can be unpredictable.

If you really love your pet and care about it, then do not hesitate to collect its feces in a clean glass jar (you can purchase a special container at the pharmacy for stool testing) and take it to the veterinary clinic for analysis.

An experienced veterinarian will suggest the optimal and relatively safe treatment.

Worms can be detected not only by direct visual observation, but also by carefully monitoring the cat’s behavior and well-being.

If she becomes lethargic, if the digestion process is disrupted due to dysbacteriosis, or allergic reactions appear, then this confirms the presence of helminthiasis.

Thus, lungworm causes a cough in the animal, loss of appetite, vomiting with foam, diarrhea, and the liver fluke causes abdominal pain, sudden changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and high fever in the cat.

Habertiosis in sheep

Habertiosis is a helminthiasis of ruminants, mainly sheep, caused by nematodes that parasitize the large intestine. This disease occurs everywhere.

The nematodes that cause this disease are large in size, white in color, and have a characteristic blunt and beveled head end. The development of parasite larvae takes place in 5-7 days. Infection occurs through the nutritional route (by ingesting infective larvae).

After ingestion by an animal, the larvae develop in its body to mature helminths.

Most often, young individuals are susceptible to this disease.

Outbreaks of habertiosis occur in the spring (March-April), especially during rainy periods.

Sick animals experience disheveled hair loss, rapid weight loss, anemia, and diarrhea.

To make a diagnosis, infective larvae isolated from the feces of infected animals are grown.

For treatment, phenothiazine is prescribed at a dosage of 0.5 g/kg twice. The drug should be given every other day.

Nilverm is also prescribed at a dosage of 0.02 g/kg once.

For prevention, it is recommended to deworm young sheep before turning them out to pasture (January-February). You can give animals phenothiazine in a smaller dosage mixed with table salt.

Features of growth and development of flatworms

Infection of an animal with flatworms is called cestodosis . Prevention of worms was invented for a reason; a cat can die if the reproduction of such adapted parasites is not suppressed in the early stages. Those small, white, moving worms that you found in the tray are young individuals whose goal is to find a carrier, grow and give birth.

When a worm finds a favorable environment, it molts and becomes something like a tadpole. The oral apparatus of the parasite is well developed already at this stage. To gain strength and grow, the worm gnaws into the cat's intestines for a while . Externally, nothing is noticeable about the animal if the parasites have just begun to attack the body. The worms are actively growing, eating more and the cat begins to become exhausted.

Chiostrongylosis in pigs

Chiostrongylosis is a helminthiasis of pigs caused by nematodes that parasitize the stomach. This disease is widespread everywhere. The emergence of larvae from eggs occurs in the external environment. They are able to remain viable in water for more than 8 months.

In the body of the host (pigs), the parasite larvae penetrate into the thickness of the gastric mucosa, where after 3 weeks they reach sexual maturity. Infection occurs through the nutritional route. Chiostrongylosis mainly affects adults. Meat breed pigs are least likely to become infected. The disease appears in the spring and reaches its peak in the fall.

Sick animals are lethargic, most of the time they lie buried in the bedding, their fur becomes disheveled. Pigs refuse food. Bloody diarrhea is common.

To treat this disease caused by nematodes, thiabendazole is prescribed once with food at a dosage of 100 mg/kg. Long-term use of this drug is possible in a 0.05% concentration as a feed additive. Approximately 10 days before slaughter, this drug should be excluded from the diet.