Ask Your Cat Question. Cat Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Cat Question?)

KITTEN PARASITES

Sent to Cat Experts July 31 12:08 AM

I have a 4 month old kitten who has never been outside and never will go outside. I took her for her second series of shots today and the person there (not a vet but an assistant) said that kittens were at great risk of carrying parasites. Is this true? I got the kitten when she was barely weaned at 6 weeks and it's POSSIBLE but unlikely she was ever outside before I got her, but she was in a home with various other pets.

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
July 31 12:17 AM (8 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
You should check her for intestinal parasites anyhow.
Worms have an interesting life cycle - while some follow the usual infect the animal, head for the intestinal tract, lay eggs that are passed in the stool as usual some also encyst in muscle tissue waiting for hormonal triggers. When a female cat comes in heat and gets breed the encysted parasites resume their interupted cycle and can infect the kittens as well as mom.
So pretty much every baby animal gets a dose of parasites from mom.
You can have the vet check a fresh stool sample and see if your kitten has some.
If your kitten ever had any fleas she could have tapeworms as fleas are the vector for those parasites.
More info here
http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/worms.html
Hope this helps you!

Please press Accept if you find my answer helpful. Want more info? Just reply on your question!
Bonuses for good work are always appreciated!
Thanks for the opportunity to help you!
Picture
NancyH -- Cat Health, Behavior, Care Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2170 Cat Accepts
30+ years cat owner, rescue, breeding, study of behavior & health care
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the JustAnswer service comes from those individuals, not from JustAnswer, and that JustAnswer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on JustAnswer are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. JustAnswer is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

JustAnswer > Cat Breed Info and Feline Health Care