Page 725 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

32 – THE CAT WITH SIGNS OF ACUTE SMALL BOWEL DIARRHEA 717

Ancylostoma tubaeforme (60 × 40 μm) is the most
NEMATODE PARASITES* (ROUNDWORMS,
HOOKWORMS) common hookworm of cats, and is most prevalent in
tropical regions. The eggs are elliptical and slightly
smaller than roundworm eggs, but still readily identi-
Classical signs
fied on saline fecal flotation.
● Abdominal distention, colicky abdominal
Infection may be associated with peripheral eosino-
pain.
philia, hypoproteinemia, and mild to severe regenera-
● Poor body condition, not nursing or eating.
tive anemia (blood loss).
● Diarrhea or abnormal feces.
Kittens with severe intestinal parasitism may
develop a bowel obstruction or intussusception result-
Pathogenesis ing from the motility disturbance, in these kittens,
radiography, contrast studies or ultrasound exami-
Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina are the primary
nation will be necessary to identify the problem.
roundworms of cats. T. cati can be transmitted via
milk, and by ingestion of the ova or hosts (e.g. rodents)
containing the ova. Adult roundworms live in the small Differential diagnosis
intestine.
The age and clinical signs are usually supportive of the
Ancylostoma tubaeforme is the most common hook- diagnosis, but other protozoal, infectious or dietary
worm of cats, but is less pathogenic than the primary causes of gastroenteritis should be considered.
hookworm of dogs (A. caninum). Infections occur by
ingestion of larvae, migration of larvae through the
Treatment
skin, via paratenic hosts, or prenatally. However, hook-
worms are much less of a problem in cats than in Anthelmintics such as pyrantel (5–10 mg/kg PO once)
dogs. or fenbendazole (25–50 mg/kg PO q 24 h for 3 days)
are effective and can be used for treatment of both kit-
tens and adult cats.
Clinical signs Selemectin (oral monthly heartworm preventative, flea
Kittens are most likely to have clinical signs associ- adulticide and nematocide) may be used to treat or
ated with infestation with helminths. prevent intestinal parasites.
The clinical signs may include abdominal distention, Repeat treatment in 2–3 weeks (hookworms) and 4–6
colicky abdominal pain, poor body condition/hair weeks (roundworms) to effectively kill prepatent
coat, poor or reduced appetite, diarrhea or abnor- stages.
mal feces, and vomiting worms or vomiting due to Re-infection is prevented by good sanitation. Feces
masses of worms obstructing passage of ingesta. must be removed from the litter box or collected if out-
Ascarids of cats do not pass through the placenta, so side, and incinerated.
kittens will not develop prenatal infections like puppies
do. Prognosis

Excellent, except in cats with intestinal obstruction,
etc., which have a more guarded prognosis until the
Diagnosis
problem is surgically corrected.
Fecal flotation will reveal spherical egg (Toxocara
cati) with pitted outer shell membrane containing
Public health
a single zygote, and approximately 75 × 45 μm in size.
Toxascaris is also an ovoid egg of similar size but has Both roundworms (visceral larval migrans) and
a smooth shell. hookworms (cutaneous larval migrans) have