Hookworms
by Pumpkin
Today we are going to talk about hook worms. I did not know about them
till after Sam the kitten went in for his kitten shot. Meowmie took
a BM sample and it had hookworms. For a precaution Pippin (who was with
Sam for his check up) got a de wormer drink. Yuck says Pippin. The vet
tech also gave meowmie de wormer drinks for Pumpkin, Casey, April (who
were at home) and 4 more drinks for 2 weeks later. Meowmie got all the
de wormer down everyone
Sam shows no signs of hookworms. The signs are; weight loss, pale gums
(due to anemia), black or tarry stools (due to blood), weakness, lethargy
or on rare occasions, death.
Then a week ago Sam's BM's were cow pies (flat BM's), the vet gave him
some med's to put on top of his food and now Sam is better. Of course
meowmie gives him some yogurt every night.
The Vet recommended meowmie scoop the litter boxes every time we go.
We now have the cleanest litter boxes around. Meowmie scoops out a lot
during the weekend.
What is a hookworm you ask? Its a small thin worm, one fourth to one
half inches long. Picture a little worm with a mouth that has dracula
teeth (wish meowmie could draw one ). It's a common intestinal parasite
worm that lives in the intestine of the host. It's less common in cats
then in dogs. Getting back the worm they use their teeth to attach themselves
to the intestinal wall and feed off the hosts blood. Blood loss can
lead to anemia, intestinal bleeding, diarrhea and death. It's most prevalent
in areas of high temperature and humidly.
How does mew get this you ask. In utero; via mother's milk, via skin,
via ingestion. Adult worms live in the small intestines of the host,
it lays hundreds of eggs, which are passed out in the stools. With in
2 to 5 days the eggs hatch into larvae, which are then present in the
soil and environment. They can survive a long time in the environment
without a host. When cats do have them it's more likely to be in small
numbers. Adult cats are more resistant then kittens.
How do you prevent these things? First, get regular check ups, make
sure meowmie and daddy regularly clean the litter box. And if you go
potty outside get them to clean it up.
Go to the vet for check up and get your BM's looked after. And always,
always go the vet ASAP if your meowmie or daddy suspect anything out
of the ordinary.
It's interesting to note that Humans can catch them
too. Like when walking barefoot where animals deposit their BM's. The
infection is usually itching and its easily treated. So meowmie's and
daddies be careful!
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