Lung Worms In Cats Treatment
It may be necessary to continue antiparasitic treatment for up to 2 months.
Lung worms in cats treatment. Larvae that are passed out in the cat. Each parasite is sensitive to different drugs that are either administered orally or as spot on topical medications. Very rarely do cats require lung surgery to remove a segment of lung irreparably damaged by ruptured parasitic cyst s. If your cat does go outside frequently try to keep an eye on her to ensure she doesn t eat anything that she is not supposed to.
Treatment of lungworms in cats lungworms can generally be eliminated through extensive treatment with medications. The best way to prevent a lung worm infection is to keep your cat indoors. Physical examination lung auscultation and history. Several worming medications can be prescribed to treat lungworm however treatment can be challenging and it may be necessary to continue the anti worming medication for up to 8 weeks.
Commonly prescribed drugs include fenbendazole praziquantel emodepside selamectin and moxidectin. Fecal examination for eggs. Lungworms are treatable with anti parasitic anthelminthic medications such as. T brevior and a abstrusus have a similar bio logical cycle figure 2.
Once the infection is diagnosed the vet will likely prescribe one of several different parasiticides such as fenbendazole albendazole ivermectin praziquante and levamisole. Treating feline lungworms based on research selamectin commonly sold as the brand name revolution is effective in treating both kinds of lungworms found in cats however research is anecdotal. This may help to curb her natural hunter instinct and keep her from hunting and eating rodents while outside. Your veterinarian will recommend the best type for the cat rsquo s specific infection.
Wildcat and in felis chaus the jungle cat 6has recently been reported 2 5 adult worms of t brevior vary from 5 13 mm in length and 294 430 µm in width and inhabit the bronchi and bronchioles of infected hosts. Another type of worm that is on the increase in the uk is lungworm which cats can catch from coming into contact with slugs snails or frogs however this type of worm is very uncommon in cats. Most cats that contract lung worms will contract them from the various critters they run into outside. Adult females lay eggs that develop within the lungs.
Lungworm infections can be difficult to treat but there is evidence that appropriate antiparasitic drugs are effective. Because in this specific case the cat did not respond to more traditional treatments the owner opted to treat with revolution. Tests to determine if a cat has a lungworm infection will include. Your family veterinarian and or a board certified veterinary internal medicine.
Treatment of cats with lungworm infections is relatively straightforward. What is the treatment for lungworm in cats. In cats because of the relative infrequency of infection diagnosis may be made only after failure of antibiotic therapy to improve the condition. In some cases more than one anti parasitic medication will be necessary.
Cats may come into contact with infected slugs and snails carrying parasites that develop into adult worms which live in the heart and arteries of the lungs.