Parasites

Question 1

What fleas do cats carry? What can this predispose cats to?

Answer 1

Carry Ctenocephalides felis, which can carry Dipylidium caninum (tapeworm)

Question 2

What is the ear mite of cats? How does it present?

Answer 2

Otodectes cynotis
Lives in external ear canal producing thick dark-brown exudate consistent with cerumen and exfoliated debris. Cats may head shake, be pruritic, or cause self-trauma.

Question 3

How are ear mites treated?

Answer 3

Ivermectin or selamectin (Revolution)

Question 4

What are common roundworms of cats?

Answer 4

Toxocara cati or Toxoascaris leonina

Question 5

How are T. cati and T. leonina transmitted? Prevented? Treated?

Answer 5

Transmammary transmission most common.
Persistent in soil, prevent via sanitation and deworming
Treat with pyrantel pamoate or selamectin (Rev.)

Question 6

What hookworm genuses are found in cats? What clinical signs do they cause?

Answer 6

Ancylostoma or Uncinaria.
Cause blood loss resulting in anemia.

Question 7

How are Ancylostoma and Uncinaria transmitted? Prevented? Treated?

Answer 7

Transmammary transmission most common.
Persistent in soil, prevent with proper sanitation and deworming.
Treat with pyrantel pamoate and selamectin (Revolution)

Question 8

What protozoal parasites are found in cats? How do they present?

Answer 8

Coccidia and giardia
Present with diarrhea +/- blood, vomiting abdominal discomfort, and anorexia

Question 9

How is giardia treated?

Answer 9

Metronidazole and fenbendazole

Question 10

How is coccidia treated?

Answer 10

Sulfadimethoxine and Trimethorpim sulfonamide