Our pets are a huge part of our lives, and we want them to be as happy and as healthy as the other members of our families. We treat them as a person, and we love them unconditionally, so, when they are sick, we try to do everything we can to help our pets out and make sure they get better as fast as possible.
If you are a cat lover, you probably already know that these animals are pretty resilient, and if they get sick, chances are, they will get easily better on their own. However, there are some diseases that are extremely dangerous and could do serious harm to our felines’ health. In this article, we are going to give you more information about some of the most dangerous parasites for cats, and we will try to teach you how to prevent and even treat these harmful organisms.
Heartworms
The first parasite we are going to talk about is heartworms. These organisms are found in pretty much every pet, but they are especially dangerous for felines.
They are transmitted via mosquitoes, and even though these parasites could get transmitted to cats only in some parts of the world, if a mosquito feeds on your pet and releases the worm in their bloodstream, it can become extremely dangerous.
When it comes to dogs, these organisms can be found pretty often, and they are less dangerous and pretty easy to treat. The larvae of the heartworms will travel to your feline’s heart and it may cause it to stop.
The problem occurs when it comes to the symptoms because more often than not, there are no signs of the disease until it is too late. When these parasites lead to death in kittens, the cause is usually found during the autopsy.
When it comes to the treatment options, you should know that there are no FDA-approved medications that you can give to your feline. However, there are things that you can give to your cat that will help manage the symptoms when they appear, and you can also opt for surgery that will help out with the disease.
Fleas
When we think about fleas, we consider them pretty harmless organisms that can latch onto our pets, but that they will do no harm more than that. In reality, they cause other things than just itching, and if you can notice a flea on your pet’s fur or skin, you need to act as soon as possible.
As you already know, fleas can be found everywhere, and no matter how much care you put into your feline, as soon as it goes out, chances are, a flea will attach to it. On the same note, you don’t have to let your pet go outside, and even you can bring this parasite home. It can be latched on you, or it can just be found on your shoes or clothes.
Note that fleas can easily transmit other serious diseases that can cause a lot of health issues including death. In addition to this, they are dangerous for humans as well, so if your feline has fleas, you or even your child can get them as well.
The easiest way to deal with these organisms is to prevent them, as they are easy to fight even before they latch onto your cat or kitten. As you can see on this site, there are special collars that will help your kitty stay safe, no matter how much time it spends in the garden, and no matter how many fleas there are around it.
Most of the products that will help keep the fleas away from your feline will also help with ticks and other types of parasites that are most commonly found in grass, dirt, or other types of surroundings where your cat spends the most time in.
In case you notice these organisms on your feline, then you can use different products to get rid of them. One of the most common treatments is with a special comb that will help you detach them from your pet, or you can just get the tablets and medicines that will help remove the fleas.
You should always talk to a professional before doing anything on your own because if the treatment is not successful, it can easily do more harm than good.
Intestinal Worms
The last thing we are going to talk about is intestinal worms. There are many different types of these parasites and the most common ones include hookworms and roundworms. They can attack all pets, including felines, and they are a pretty common occurrence.
Note that even though they are not too dangerous for adult cats, they can cause serious problems with kittens, and you need to pay attention to what your vet is saying when it comes to the prevention and protection of young felines.
Note that during the first year of the life of your pet, it is recommended for you to do the deworming process at least once every several months, and this should protect your cat.
The way that these parasites enter the body of the pet is usually through food, so you need to be extra careful about what your kitty eats, even when it is outside. If they find something that they can chew on, chances are, they might get one of the intestinal worm types.
The good news is that you can easily prevent this from happening by keeping their surroundings clean and checking if there are any common signs of this disease, and even if your feline contracts the worms, they can be removed by deworming. In case you cannot deal with this issue on your own, your vet can always help you out and give you the right course of treatment.
These are some of the many parasites that will harm your cat’s health, and in some cases, if they are left untreated, they can lead to death. Because of this, you need to take all the necessary precautions to prevent the disease, because it is always easier to stop something from happening than to worry about the treatment. You should talk to your vet about the best way to stop the parasites from entering your feline’s body, and what are the most common signs and symptoms of the disease. Make sure you invest in the right things that will help prevent these organisms, and that will ensure the safety and health of your cats.
