Intestinal Parasites in Kittens

Posted 08.14.15 by Emily Lindsey

Intestinal Parasites in kittens are very common. We often encounter roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, coccidia, tritrichomonas, and even giardia.

Some kittens will be asymptomatic or you will often see gastrointestinal signs including diarrhea and vomiting.

Many of these parasites can be passed to other pets in the household as well as to human family members so having your new kitten tested and treated is extremely important.

When a new kitten is brought into the home, we typically recommend having them dewormed every 2-3 weeks for a minimum of 3 treatments. Depending on the age of the kitten, these treatments can usually be performed at the same time as their vaccine booster shots.

A monthly parasiticide should then be continued throughout the
kitten’s lifetime to prevent and treat future infections, especially in indoor/outdoor pets.

Maintaining a clean litter box and yard can also help control these infections. Prevention and control of both external and internal parasites in kittens are essential to promote the health of your new pet, ensure the safety of the public, and preserve the bond between pets and their owners.

Please feel free to ask your doctor for further information concerning intestinal parasites in kittens and products used to control and prevent infections.