Ascarids
Ascarids:
Round worms, cylindrical parasites measuring 1 to 4 in. (2.5 to 10 cm) in length,
pinkish in colour, which live in the intestines of cats (and in rare instances
also plague humans). Sometimes they are so numerous as to form bundles, which
can cause occlusion. Ascarid larvae can be transmitted from a nursing mother cat
to its young. It is therefore advisable to have kittens wormed during the first
few weeks of life. Worms in an advanced state caused by neglect or ignorance cause
loss of weight, swelling of the belly, dullness of the coat, vomiting, convulsions,
and progressive weakness. They are life threatening to young kittens. The surest
evidence is detection of them in the feces. A vet must prescribe the proper medicine.
The cat's environment should be disinfected to destroy all eggs.
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