Parasites

Cats are dedicated groomers - they keep their coats clean through almost constant grooming. But that won't stop fleas and ticks, determined parasites that may threaten the health of your cat and the people in your home.

No matter what precautions we take, parasites are an annoying fact of life for our pets. Simple, regular prevention can beat fleas and ticks before they cause a problem.

There are two basic types of parasites:

Internal parasites (endoparasites) such as heartworms, hookworms and roundworms, live inside the body of a plant or animal and produce an infection within the host.

External parasites (ectoparasites) such as fleas, ticks, ear mites and sarcoptic mites, live on the body of the host and produce an infestation.

Even though cats are
fastidiously clean,
additional precautions
are needed to prevent
parasites from making
your cat ill.

Heartworms

The prevalence of heartworm disease has increased because we live in such a mobile society - people and their pets travel from place to place, unknowingly taking parasites along for the ride. Cats of any age and type are susceptible, and the disease can be fatal if left untreated.

The parasitic worm responsible for heartworm disease is called Dirofilaria immitis. Heartworm disease transmission begins when a mosquito bites an infected dog and draws in a small amount of blood containing tiny heartworm larvae. (Dogs are the usual reservoir from which mosquitoes acquire the larvae, which then may be transmitted to animals that include dogs and cats).

Within 2 to 3 weeks the heartworm larvae develop inside the mosquito. When that same mosquito then bites a cat, heartworm larvae are deposited on the cat's skin. The larvae migrate through the tissue and into the bloodstream where they continue to develop. Within 4 months, heartworms reach the heart and lungs and may cause heartworm disease. Even one single heartworm may cause permanent damage or even death in cats.

Signs, treatments and prevention of Heartworm disease

Heartworm disease affects not only the heart, but also the lungs and central nervous system. Symptoms include respitory and cardiac problems, vomiting and in some cats, sudden death. Whether your cat is an "outdoor" or "indoor" pet, it's at risk of exposure to heartworms. Signs may include coughing or difficulty breathing, vomiting that is not associated with eating, convulsions, blindness, fainting, weight loss, and loss of appetite. There is no approved treatment for heartworm infection in cats. The best way to battle heartworm disease is through prevention.

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Fleas

Ounce-for-ounce, few creatures can inflict more discomfort than fleas. Adults feed on warm-blooded animals, including humans, causing irritation and, in some instances, allergic reactions. They can also transmit certain diseases. During the immature stages of its life cycle, the flea can hide in bedding, carpeting, and shaded areas. A flea infestation may become apparent only when people realize they've been bitten.

The following signs indicate the presence of fleas on your cat:
Black specks on your cat or where your cat likes to sleep could be what's commonly called "flea dirt," which is actually adult flea feces. To check for black specks, use a metal flea comb, available from City Cats. Comb your cat, making sure the comb reaches the skin through the coat. If you see black specks on the comb when you've finished, they could be flea dirt. If there are actually fleas on the comb, drown them in a bowl of soapy water before they can hop away or jump back on your cat.

Agitation and scratching- Cats infested with fleas will become unusually nervous and agitated and will scratch excessively. Fleas can cause flea allergy dermatitis, or FAD - a condition that can make your cat very uncomfortable. Cats suffering from FAD scratch and bite excessively around the tail, groin, or backside and may also develop scabs or bumps on the neck or back.

Fleas: the life cycle
The average life span of a flea is six weeks to one year; however, the entire life cycle can be completed in as little as 14 to 21 days in the proper environment. This includes all four stages of a flea's life; egg, larvae, pupa and adult.

Eggs hatch in one to ten days. They are pearly white in color and very hard to see without magnification. A female flea lays an average of 20 to 28 eggs a day and can produce them for up to 100 days. Eggs do not move and evolve into larvae at the end of their cycle.

Larvae live for five to eleven days. They have no legs, so they have limited movement. They avoid direct sunlight and prefer temperatures of 65-80 degrees with a humidity of 75-80% in shady and moist areas. When shed, they bury deep into carpet fibers, under bushes, shrubs, and grass as well as in cracks between hardwood floors. Larvae are quickly killed by drying but if moisture is maintained, they develop into pupa.

Pupa live in a silk-like cocoon and develop into adults in five to ten days. Adults can live inside this cocoon for 140 days. During this time, they are resistant to insecticides. At the end of this stage, the adult flea emerges and starts seeking a host. It is attracted to body heat, movement, exhaled carbon dioxide and light.

After emerging, the adult flea must feed on blood within a few days to survive. The female then begins to restart the cycle by laying her eggs in 36-48 days. A female can consume up to 15 times her weight in blood. Adult fleas do not leave their host unless stimulated by pressure, carbon dioxide or heat.

A normal cat's reaction to a flea bite is minimal. The allergen is the flea's saliva; it causes itching, and the cat will chew and lick the area, leading to hair loss and open sores. The most common spots affected are the base of the tail and the rump.

Treatments
Effective treatment must be applied not only to the cat but to the cat's environment as well. There are many options on the market today, including topical treatments, oral pills, sprays, dips, powders and shampoos. Sprays, dips, powders and shampoos, however, only kill fleas present at the time of the application. They must be repeated several times to be most effective.

They do not kill adult fleas, but they help break the cycle by making the eggs laid sterile. Other popular treatments are topical preventatives called Frontline, Advantage and Revolution. These treatments kill existing fleas and continue killing fleas produced after application for one month; therefore, treatment needs to be repeated monthly. They are spread over the entire body within 24 hours and are stored in glands under the skin where it can be released into hair follicles. These topical treatments are safe and effective, even through cat's ritual grooming.

In severe cases, corticosteroids, also known as cortisone, can be used to ease the allergic reaction. Year-round protection is recommended, even for indoor cats. Come in today to learn more about these products and the most effective way to keep your cat safe from fleas!

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Ticks
Ticks attach to pets to feed. You might not even notice these minute pests on your cat until the ticks have fed so much that they've become engorged. Worse yet, ticks may transmit diseases that can cause serious cat health problems, and ticks may also transmit disease to your family.

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Roundworms and hookworms
Roundworms and hookworms are intestinal parasites. Roundworm is transmitted primarily through ingestion of infected animals such as rodents, and hookworm infection occurs through contact with immature parasites present in soil. These parasites can also be transmitted to humans and may cause serious health problems. The Centers for Disease Control recommends protecting your pet from these dangerous parasites to reduce the possibility of exposure to your family.

Ear mites
Ear mites are highly contagious parasites that live on the skin, feed off the surface of the ear canal, and are easily transmitted between animals. In addition to inflicting discomfort, an infected ear is the ideal environment for secondary bacterial infections.

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City Cats recommends that all of our feline patients be protected year round with an appropriate parasite control medication. Even indoor cats can come in contact with parasites brought in from outside. We carry several parasite treatments, and will help you figure out the best parasite prevention regimen for your cat.

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heartworms

fleas

ticks

roundworms
and hookworms

ear mites

products available
at City Cats

links:
Centers for
Disease Control

Companion Animal
Parasite Control

Information on this page provided by Merial.com, makers of Heartgard and Frontline.