Page 662 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

654 PART 9 CAT WITH SIGNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT DISEASE

wall, re-treatment is unnecessary unless the cat is re- must be given to all cats/kittens that are housed
infected. together.
Pyrantel is not absorbed from the GI tract to any
Prevention appreciable amount and thus is the safest to use in kit-
tens under 4–6 weeks of age.
Prevent ingestion of the carrier beetles, bugs or trans-
port hosts (birds, rodents). Repeat treatment in 3–4 weeks to effectively kill
prepatent stages.
ASCARIDS Reinfection is prevented by good sanitation.
Roundworms have zoonotic potential (visceral or ocu-
Classical signs
lar larval migrans), although this is not as great a prob-
● Abdominal distention, colicky abdominal lem as the canine roundworm.
pain.
● Poor body condition, not nursing or eating.
● Diarrhea or abnormal feces.
OLLULANUS TRICUSPIS
See main reference on page 717 for details (The Cat
Classical signs
With Signs of Acute Small Bowel Diarrhea).
● Vomiting.
Clinical signs
The most common signs of roundworm infection in kit- Pathogenesis
tens are abdominal distention, colicky abdominal
Ollulanus tricuspis is a nematode parasite infecting the
pain, poor body condition/hair coat and diarrhea or
gastric glands of cats resulting in acute gastritis and
soft feces.
vomiting. The life cycle of the parasite is direct.
Vomiting worms or vomiting due to masses of worms
The life cycle is completed in the cat with infection of
obstructing passage of ingesta is very uncommon in
other cats occurring via ingestion of parasite-
cats (compared to dogs), as is the clinical sign of
containing vomitus.
coughing due to larval migration.
The parasite is found worldwide, but there have only
Adult cats develop innate immunity and thus, unless
been sporadic reports of infection in the United States.
they are immunocompromised, rarely have clinical
Free-roaming and colony cats are more likely to be
signs of intestinal roundworm infection.
exposed and infected than are household cats.
Diagnosis
Fecal flotation will reveal spherical egg (Toxocara cati)
Clinical signs
with pitted outer shell membrane containing a single
zygote, and approximately 75 μm in size. Toxascaris is Vomiting is the most common clinical sign, and occa-
also an ovoid egg of similar size but has a smooth shell. sionally the worms may be found in the vomitus.
Some cats may have a peripheral eosinophilia, sugges- Anorexia and weight loss may be observed in severely
tive of parasite infestation, but this is not a consistent parasitized cats.
finding nor one that is specific for roundworm infection.
Infection occurs primarily in adult cats in colonies or
high-density environments (catteries, shelters or
Treatment
homes with many cats living together) that have the
Anthelmintics such as pyrantel (5–10 mg/kg PO once) opportunity for close intimate contact necessary for
or fenbendazole (25–50 mg/kg PO q 24 h for 3 days) parasite transmission.