Don't Wait! Cats Worms Are Killing Your Cat

One of the very first things you should be concerned with is if your family’s health is in endangered by your cat having worms. Unfortunately, the truth is your cat can pass certain cats worms onto your family. This can happen through several methods, but one of the most common is handling or petting the infected cat.

As you know children love to pick up your cat and if it is infected with ringworm... guess what? Yep, that's right there is a good chance your kids can become infected from the cat. But here is some good news; actually "ringworm" is not a worm at all but a fungus.

Also ringworm is not a life threatening disease, but it can cause problems because of it being highly contagious to other animals and humans. It is best for you to keep the kids away from the animal and you should handle your pet while wearing gloves or other hand protection.

You can recognize this fungus on your pet’s skin by what appears to be inflamed skin tissue or flaking of the skin. One of the most common indications is bare skin on the paws or on the head. You will also notice your cat is licking or scratching at the spots. When you spot these symptoms it's a darn good idea to call your vet. In most cases ringworm can be eliminated with a salve or pills.

If your kids become infected you will notice a scaly look in a circular pattern on the skin. Your medical doctor may tell you to see your pharmacist for an over the counter salve or he may prescribe a prescription drug for the treatment.

Now let's move from the less serious worm to the more serious cats worms.

Most people associate heart worms with dogs, but it is a very real threat to your cat also. Just like the dog, your cat can become infected from being bitten by mosquitoes and fleas. The best way to keep your kitty safe is to prevent the worms from infiltrating your pet from the outset.

A visit to vet will put you on the right program for preventing the disease. The most difficult thing about heartworm treatment, depending on where you live, it can be a year round treatment to prevent your beloved buddy from becoming infected.

As far as recognizing symptoms these are just a few:
• Persistent cough
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of energy
• Dull looking fur

Heartworms are a killer of pets; however it can take years to shorten the life of your sidekick. With proper care and treatment your beloved feline will be around for many years.

Cats worms can be a danger to your cat and to your family. By staying vigilant and well informed you can greatly reduce the danger to both.