Condition11 connections · 2 sources
Intestinal Parasites
Worms and protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract of cats and dogs. Common types include hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, coccidia, and Cryptosporidium. Regular deworming and fecal testing are essential preventive measures.
Key Facts
- Hookworms: blood-sucking parasites; can be lethal to young kittens/puppies from blood loss
- Hookworms transmitted through skin penetration, ingestion, or eating infected prey/cockroaches
- Kittens should start deworming at 2 weeks, continue every 2 weeks until 8 weeks
- Monthly deworming recommended after 8 weeks (often combined with flea products)
- Cryptosporidium: self-perpetuating infection; resistant to bleach; difficult to treat
- Cryptosporidium especially dangerous for immunocompromised people
- Routine fecal flotation may miss Cryptosporidium — PCR testing more reliable
- Hookworm resistance emerging (especially from ex-racing greyhounds)
- Zoonotic risk: hookworms cause cutaneous larva migrans in humans (skin penetration)
- HIV-infected individuals should not adopt kittens under 6 months or animals with diarrhea
- Indoor-only cats have significantly lower parasite exposure
Connections (11)
Related Conditions
CoccidiaCondition
— related parasitic infections
ColitisCondition
— whipworms common cause
Feline Immunodeficiency VirusCondition
— immunosuppressed cats more vulnerable
GiardiaCondition
— differential diagnosis
Rectal ProlapseCondition
— common underlying cause
TapewormsCondition
— tapeworms are a major group of intestinal parasites
ToxoplasmosisCondition
— toxoplasma is a protozoan parasite